Only at SHA: Excelsior Opportunities

Sacred Heart Academy inspires young women to help build a better world — and we do so by providing more opportunities to reach ever higher beyond a traditional high school curriculum.

These Excelsior Opportunities encourage students to foster their voice, build their confidence, develop their leadership skills, reach their academic potential, and ultimately, close the gender gap.

It’s a distinction you’ll find only at Sacred Heart Academy, and it’s a benefit SHA students carry with them for life.

Shubert 
Theater Program

SHA students let their talents shine in our award-winning theater program. Originally called the “operetta,” the musical is a SHA tradition that has taken place each year since the first students enrolled at SHA in 1946.  Under the direction of theater veteran Mary Lee Delaney, our annual musical lights up the legendary stage of the Shubert Theater in New Haven, where students work alongside theater professionals on performance, set design, lighting, sound, and costuming.

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Excelsior 
Enrichment Program

A SHA education extends beyond traditional academics. Every Friday, guest speakers, group discussions, and hands-on activities enhance student knowledge on topics such as spirituality, social justice, physical and emotional wellness, and leadership.

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DNA Sequencing
Program

At Sacred Heart Academy, innovation begins at home!

In 1998, the Human Genome Project launched and the race was on to sequence every basepair of DNA in the human genome. At that same time, Sr. Mary Jane Paolella, ASCJ, ’65 and Dr. Wesley Bonds decided to bring the power of genetics education to the students at Sacred Heart Academy. 

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Bloomberg 
Financial Program

SHA prepares young women to confidently explore leadership roles in a digital and globally-focused jobs market by bringing the real worlds of business and finance to the classroom. The Bloomberg Finance Program was recently established at SHA to help our students and faculty connect across multiple disciplines to the world’s leading business and financial information network.

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