# Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (Nebraska)

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, located at 3601 Burt Street in the Midtown area of Omaha, Nebraska, United States, is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school for girls run by the Religious of the Sacred Heart. The institution previously included a college which was operated from 1908 to 1968. Today Duchesne is home to the high school and a co-ed preschool. While it is located within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha, it is an independent institution.
Rooted in Sacred Heart values, Duchesne Academy educates young women to be active participants in their own development. In 2020, Duchesne received the US Department of Education Green Ribbon for their efforts in sustainability and a Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence.

## History

Duchesne Academy was established in Omaha in 1881 and is named in honor of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, one of the first women to join the Society of the Sacred Heart. St. Rose Philippine came to the United States from France in the early 19th century and established the first Sacred Heart school in St. Charles, Missouri. Duchesne is one of 24 schools in the Sacred Heart Network in the United States.
Duchesne enrolls approximately 85 students in each class, for a total of 340 in the school.
Duchesne has developed a nationally prominent mock trial program, winning the national championship in 2015 in the National High School Mock Trial Championship, held in Raleigh, North Carolina.

## Sacred Heart values

Duchesne Academy, a member of an international network of schools operated by the Society of the Sacred Heart, is an independent Catholic girls’ school in Omaha, Nebraska. Duchesne offers a unique education focusing on commitment to: faith in God, academic excellence, development of social responsibility, formation of an inclusive community and personal dignity. This education reflects the values given priority by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart.
Sharing in the Society's mission to reveal God's love in the heart of the world, Schools of the Sacred Heart commit to educate to:
* A personal and active faith in God
* A deep respect for intellectual values
* A social awareness that impels to action
* The building of community as a Christian value
* Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom

## Traditions

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is proud of its long, storied history which includes many beloved traditions rooted in its French heritage. These traditions are an integral part of the Sacred Heart experience for students and parents alike.

### Congé

Congé (pronounced “con-jay”) means “holiday” in French. Student Congé is a surprise day that is announced once a year. Following the announcement of Congé classes are cancelled and the students focus on building community through fun activities and games.

### Goûter

This word means “to taste” in French, and is more recognizable to Duchesne students as "surprise snack".

### Mater Ceremony

Duchesne gathers in October to celebrate the feast of Mater Admirabilis. At this prayer service, sophomores honor one woman (over the age of 21) who demonstrates a characteristic of Mary. Each girl and her mentor are called by name to the front of the chapel where the sophomore receives her Mater medal from her chosen “Mary” figure.

### May Crowning

This prayer service is held at the beginning of May as a tribute to Our Lady. Class representatives are chosen to honor Mary with student reflections and the senior representative crowns her with a wreath of flowers.

### Prize Day

Prize Day, a 200-year old tradition that began in the earliest Sacred Heart schools, continues today as a ceremony on the morning of the last day of the school year. It is the formal close to the school year and is held in the chapel. Following an all-school Mass, students receive prizes, distinctions, and recognitions for their academic accomplishments. Each student receives a completion of the year certificate and a wreath of flowers from the Head of School. At the conclusion of Prize Day, they return their crowns to the altar in thanksgiving for the gifts that God has given them.

### Ring Ceremony

In the spring, seniors present the juniors with their Sacred Heart rings. During this ceremony, each junior is called by name to the front of the chapel where seniors present her with her ring. After each junior is presented with her ring, the seniors turn their rings to face outward. This is symbolic of their imminent departure from Duchesne, and their responsibility to spread the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the world outside of school.

## Academics

Duchesne educates young women to be active participants in their own development. The Academy is fully accredited by North Central Accreditation, AdvancED, and the state of Nebraska. Traditionally, 100% of the Academy’s graduates attend four-year colleges and universities. Core subjects are studied in depth through a college-preparatory curriculum. Students begin researching, writing, testing, and analyzing from the start. Writing and critical thinking are emphasized in every classroom.
Devoted teachers guide each student’s growth in classrooms with a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Teachers are approachable, always willing to help, and committed to providing personal attention.

## Sustainability

Duchesne Academy received national recognition in 2020 as US Department of Education Green Ribbon School. The school’s sustainability efforts took root in the 2016-2017 academic year following the May 2015 release of “Laudato Si’,” Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment and human ecology. At Duchesne, sustainability is not just an academic concept, but rather a community-wide commitment to improving the school and the broader world in which we live. As a Sacred Heart school guided by the “Goals and Criteria” of Sacred Heart Education, our charism calls “all members of the school community [to] accept accountability for the care of God’s creation, practice effective stewardship of the earth’s resources and work to alleviate the climate crisis” (Goal III, Criterion 4).

### Special Recognition

* Recipient of the Energy Star Certification from 2017-2023
* Green Star Recipient from Ignatian Solidarity Network in 2017
* Recognized as the first school in Omaha to launch a composting program
* Eco-Friendly Schools Award Recipient
* 2022 Keep Nebraska Beautiful Award Winner
* 2019 G7 Eco-Citizens Contest Winner
* First school in Omaha to install solar panel array

## Athletics

Duchesne Academy competes in the Class B division of the Nebraska School Activities Association. Recognized as the "Cardinals", Duchesne has 11 Class B sports and 6 unique club sports.

### Teams and Clubs

* Archery
* Basketball
* Bowling
* Cheerleading
* Cross Country
* Dance
* eSports
* Golf
* Lacrosse
* Soccer
* Softball
* Swimming
* Tennis
* Track & Field
* Trapshooting
* Volleyball

## Fine Arts

Duchesne Academy students must complete 2 Fine Arts credits to graduate.

### Unique offerings

* AP Studio
* World Drumming
* Strings ensemble
* Theater