berchmans academy of the sacred heart
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WE AREBERCHMANS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
PROUD TO BE A PART OF
A CHALLENGING AND
WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT
WE ARE
BERCHMANS IS A SCHOOL CREATED FOR BOYS.
WELCOME to Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart,
a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school created
just for boys!
Every aspect of the program at Berchmans is meant to allow
boys to be boys, while helping them to become gentlemen who
possess strong morals, a love of learning, and a desire to make a
difference in the world.
Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart, the boys’ division
of Schools of the Sacred Heart, enrolls students from age 3
through Grade 12. As a Sacred Heart school, the life of the
school is rooted in the philosophy of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat,
foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart, as it is articulated
today in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools.
OUR FIVE TIMELESS GOALS
A personal and
active FAITH IN GOD
A deep respect for
INTELLECTUAL VALUES
A SOCIAL AWARENESS
which impels to action
THE BUILDING OF COMMUNITY
as a Christian value
PERSONAL GROWTH in an
atmosphere of wise freedom
“I
LO
VE
LE
AR
NIN
G I
N A
PL
AC
E I
CA
N G
RO
W P
ER
SO
NA
LL
Y,
SP
IRIT
UA
LL
Y,
AN
D A
CA
DE
MIC
AL
LY
.” –
Ad
am
, II
Ac
ad
em
ic (
So
ph
om
or
e)
For more information please contact the
admissions office: 337.662.5275
1
ww
w.s
sh
co
tea
u.o
rg
THE SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART,
whose educational mission guides the school, was founded
in 1800 in France. Sacred Heart education has played a
significant role in Acadiana since 1821, when Berchmans’
sister school, the Academy of the Sacred Heart, opened in
Grand Coteau. Although Berchmans Academy is relatively
young, Berchmans shares its strong history of Sacred Heart
education with the Academy and embraces the spiritual
ideals of the Sacred Heart. The school aims to develop young
men who are committed to their spiritual, moral, intellectual,
and physical growth.
“IF
I D
O N
OT
BE
CO
ME
A S
AIN
T W
HE
N I
AM
YO
UN
G,
I S
HA
LL
NE
VE
R B
EC
OM
E O
NE
.” –
St.
Jo
hn
Be
rc
hm
an
s
BERCHMANS SHARES ITS
STRONG HISTORY OF
SACRED HEART EDUCATION.
AN INTERESTING ASPECT of the school’s history occurred on the
campus in 1866. A young religious, Mary Wilson, who was terminally ill,
was miraculously cured when the community prayed to then Blessed John
Berchmans. The cure of Mary Wilson was recognized by the Roman Catholic
Church as the miracle needed for Berchmans canonization as a saint.
John Berchmans was known for his
strong commitment to his faith and to his
intellectual life. Students at Berchmans
look to St. John Berchmans as a model
for their personal and academic lives.
CONNECTED TO A
SPIRITUAL HISTORY THAT
GIVES US STRENGTH
WE ARE3www.sshcoteau.org
FINDING INSPIRATION AND SOLACEWE ARE
“G
OIN
G T
O S
CH
OO
L O
N T
HIS
HO
LY
CA
MP
US
MA
KE
S M
E W
AN
T T
O S
TR
IVE
HA
RD
ER
TO
MA
INT
AIN
MY
FA
ITH
AN
D T
O G
RO
W
CL
OS
ER
TO
GO
D E
AC
H D
AY
.” –
Co
nn
or,
I A
ca
de
mic
(F
re
sh
ma
n)
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THEIR OWN FAITH AND THE FAITHS OF OTHERS.
ROOTED IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC TRADITION,
the school provides opportunities for students to grow in their
understanding of what it means to live the message of the Gospel
in every aspect of their lives. Students learn about their own faith
and the faiths of others. Through classes, prayer services, and
retreats, students develop a strong, personal, and active faith.
Each one learns to value time for reflection and one’s own spiritual
growth, and to live his faith at the service of others. A strong
community service program allows students to serve the needs
of others locally and globally.
5www.sshcoteau.org
EXPLORATION IS KEY to a boy’s experience of
learning and life. In the early years at Berchmans, boys are
given an abundance of opportunities to discover knowledge
for themselves. Learning centers within the classroom, time
on the nature trail, an outdoor classroom, and play activities
which enhance imagination and creativity allow a student to
explore and discover the world around him.
“R
IDIN
G H
AS
TA
UG
HT
ME
TO
BE
RE
SP
ON
SIB
LE
AN
D D
ISC
IPL
INE
D,
HU
MB
LE
WH
EN
I W
IN A
ND
GR
AC
IOU
S
IF
I L
OS
E,
AN
D
WH
O I
AM
AS
A P
ER
SO
N.”
– B
lais
e,
IV A
ca
de
mic
(S
en
ior)
THE EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM HELPS TO NURTURE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
SITUATED ON 255 ACRES, our campus allows students the
opportunity to participate in several equestrian programs, including
western pleasure, dressage, and hunter/jumper riding. The equestrian
program helps to nurture a sense of responsibility for God’s creatures
while developing riding skills.
ALWAYS READY FOR
NEW ADVENTURES WE ARE
7www.sshcoteau.org
FOCUSED ON THE
BIG PICTURE AND THE
SMALL DETAILS
WE ARE
“W
E A
RE
AL
WA
YS
LE
AR
NIN
G A
ND
DIS
CO
VE
RIN
G.”
–
Cla
ud
e,
II S
ch
ola
sti
c (
8th
gr
ad
e)
STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT TO BE KEEN OBSERVERS OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
THE CAMPUS IS A NATURAL OBSERVATORY
OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS for students who seek
to understand more about the world around them. From an
early age, students are taught to be keen observers of their
environment and to draw conclusions about the world in which
they live from their experiences. A strong science program that
includes field work on campus and in other locations fosters
inquiry, analytical skills, and critical thinking.
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND for students to pursue
their scientific interests. Projects focused on coastal restoration
and the preservation of certain species of fish provide real life
situations in which students can actively make a difference in
the world through their science work. Science fairs and other
competitions allow students, through scientific inquiry, to
develop a question or problem of interest and then to use the
scientific method to pursue a solution.
9www.sshcoteau.org
STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE in athletics are
more likely to perform better in school. For boys, the athletic
program fosters camaraderie, healthy competition, and
leadership, while developing physical and motor skills.
The physical education program helps to develop athletic skills
and to encourage safe and healthy participation in sports.
Boys need outlets for their pinned up energy! Daily exercise
in a multitude of ways allows for the release of this energy so
that each one can focus on class activities. A typical day in the
lower school begins with several laps around the school!
AS A MEMBER of the Association of Christian Educators of Louisiana
Athletic League, Berchmans competes against similar schools in football,
basketball, soccer, and baseball. Students are also able to compete against
junior varsity teams in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association in
cross country, golf, track and field, tennis, and swimming.“
SP
OR
TS
AT
SA
CR
ED
HE
AR
T A
RE
NO
T J
US
T A
BO
UT
WIN
NIN
G,
BU
T A
BO
UT
CE
LE
BR
AT
ING
A T
EA
MM
AT
E’S
SU
CC
ES
S.”
– A
lto
n,
III
Ac
ad
em
ic (
Ju
nio
r)
BERCHMANS BOYS HAVE A WINNING ATTITUDE.
ACTIVELY SEEKING EXCELLENCE
IN SPORTS AND IN LIFEWE ARE
11www.sshcoteau.org
FOUNDED IN 2006, Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart is an
independent Catholic school for young men whose educational philosophy is
guided by the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools.
WE ARELOCATED OUTSIDE
THE ORDINARY13www.sshcoteau.org
OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES
FOR CREATIVITYWE ARE
“T
HE
PL
AY
S W
E G
ET
TO
DO
AR
E F
UN
BE
CA
US
E T
HE
Y H
AV
E A
LO
T O
F A
CT
ION
IN
TH
EM
.”
– J
oh
n T
ho
ma
s,
II P
re
pa
ra
tor
y (
5th
gr
ad
e)
LEARNING BY DOING IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE ARTS PROGRAM.
ONLY A LACK OF IMAGINATION hinders creativity
at Berchmans! From the construction of “class camps” with
discarded materials to art and music classes to science
classes, boys are actively engaged in using their imaginations
to construct meaning from their experiences and world.
Learning by doing is a major component of the program at
Berchmans, not only because students retain more of what
they learn when they have constructed their own knowledge,
but also because it is the best way of learning for boys.
5www.sshcoteau.org 15www.sshcoteau.org
WORKING AS A TEAM FOR COMPETITIONS WITH THE ROBOTS FOSTERS COMMUNITY AND CREATIVITY.
LEGO ROBOTS AND NAO ROBOTS are an integral
part of the educational program. Boys take great delight
in being able to construct and program these robots to
respond to their commands! Knowing that real learning takes
place when students are able to construct their own learning
and make sense of their surroundings, the robotics program
allows students to delve deeper into scientific, engineering,
and math concepts. Working as a team for competitions with
the robots fosters community and creativity and develops
leadership and problem-solving skills.
“T
HE
RO
BO
TIC
S P
RO
GR
AM
HE
LP
S M
E G
ET
FIR
ST
HA
ND
EX
PE
RIE
NC
E I
N E
NG
INE
ER
ING
.” M
ax
, I
Ac
ad
em
ic (
Fr
es
hm
an
)
A TINKER LAB , with 3-D printers, allows students
to give life to their mental ideas. Through the use of auto
cad programs, students are able to construct 3-D models
of what their minds have imagined, as well as design and
fabricate parts for robots and other projects. Nurturing the
imaginations of students is a clear focus of the program as
the school educates in the art of design.
BRINGING OUR IMAGINATION TO LIFEWE ARE
17www.sshcoteau.org
PARTICIPATING IN A GLOBALLY
CONNECTED COMMUNITYWE ARE
“B
EIN
G P
AR
T O
F T
HE
MIS
SIO
N T
RIP
TO
NIC
AR
AG
UA
GA
VE
ME
A C
HA
NC
E T
O T
AK
E A
ST
EP
BA
CK
AN
D R
EA
LIZ
E
WH
AT
’S I
MP
OR
TA
NT
IN
LIF
E.”
–
An
dr
ew
, IV
Ac
ad
em
ic (
Se
nio
r)
STUDENTS HAVE BOTH VIRTUAL AND REAL EXCHANGES WITH SACRED HEART STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD.
AS PART OF SCHOOLS OF THE SACRED HEART,
Berchmans Academy is a member of a network of 24
schools in the United States and Canada and belongs to an
international group of more than 150 Sacred Heart schools in
41 countries.
BEING A PART OF A GLOBALLY CONNECTED
COMMUNITY allows for both virtual and real exchanges
with Sacred Heart students throughout the world. Email and
other forms of electronic communication allow for interchanges
within the virtual world, while exchange programs, from two
weeks to a semester, allow students to either welcome students
of another city or culture or to become a part of another school
or culture for a period of time.
19www.sshcoteau.org
LEARNING TO GROW in an atmosphere that promotes
wise freedom is fundamental to the Sacred Heart experience.
Students are helped to make wise choices for themselves and
for others and to reflect on both the positive and negative
consequences of their choices. This goal “shepherds”
students gently, but firmly into their roles as young adults,
preparing them to be responsible and contributing members
of society.
“T
HE
TE
AC
HE
RS
RE
AL
LY
KN
OW
YO
U A
ND
GIV
E Y
OU
TH
E F
RE
ED
OM
TO
MA
KE
GO
OD
CH
OIC
ES
.“
– B
ry
an
, IV
Ac
ad
em
ic (
Se
nio
r)
THE DESTINATION IS ALWAYS AS IMPORTANT
AS THE JOURNEY.
OPPORTUNITIES TO EXERCISE LEADERSHIP ABOUND.
From the classroom to the athletic field to the playground, students learn
how to use their gifts wisely for the good of all, how to do the right thing
at all times, and how to work as a group. Shared leadership is encouraged,
knowing that each one possesses different gifts and that the community is
stronger when everyone is able to play a leading role.
WE ARELEADING NOW AND IN THE FUTURE
21www.sshcoteau.org
CONSTANTLY EXPLORING
THE WORLD AROUND US WE ARE
WHETHER ON THE NATURE TRAIL , a field trip,
or the classroom, there is much to be learned from exploring
the world. Faculty use every opportunity as a teachable
moment. The campus, with its fauna and flora, are an open
book for boys who enjoy the outdoors and the opportunity
to learn from nature.
BERCHMANS’ CAMPUS IS AN OPEN BOOK.
THE SCHOOL PROVIDES A WEALTH OF TECHNOLOGICAL
RESOURCES that open another world of learning for students. iPads for
younger students and a one-to-one Tablet PC program for older students
allow students to research topics of interest, document experiences, design
ideas, and program robots.
CONSTANTLY EXPLORING
THE WORLD AROUND US
“W
E D
ON
’T J
US
T W
OR
K,
WE
GE
T T
O D
O E
XP
ER
IME
NT
S A
ND
PL
AY
GA
ME
S.
WE
HA
VE
LO
TS
OF
RO
OM
TO
PL
AY
OU
TS
IDE
.” –
As
hto
n &
Ro
ss
, II
Pr
ep
ar
ato
ry
(5
th g
ra
de
)
23www.sshcoteau.org
READY TO LEARN FROM OUR
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
TO CHANGE THE WORLD
WE ARE
3www.sshcoteau.org
READY TO LEARN FROM OUR
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
TO CHANGE THE WORLD
BERCHMANS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART1821 Academy Road • Grand Coteau, LA 70541337.662.5275 • www.sshcoteau.org