Dennis Phillips, Head of School
It’s hard to believe, but this September marks the beginning of our 177th School Year. What a legacy! Of course, it takes time to create a legacy. Time to establish traditions and earn a reputation. Time to build a community. In our time, we have laid the foundation for an education that is both timeless and modern, traditional yet innovative. It is this combination that ensures we continue to provide an unparalleled independent education in Halifax, and what guides us as we start the 2025-26 School Year.
What sets Sacred Heart apart from other Halifax private and independent schools is our ability to honour tradition while embracing innovation. Our campus is historic. Some of our buildings date back to our founding in 1849, and are filled with objects and treasures from that period. We follow time-honoured customs and rituals that are unlike any other Halifax school, including our beloved Congé, a surprise day of fun and play for our entire school, and Primes, a long-standing tradition that recognizes students for both small and large accomplishments. And, as part of a global Network of independent schools, we share the same Mission, guided by our five Sacred Heart goals that unite us all in purpose and community.
Yet, we move forward as the times and world dictate. We seek to create the leaders and people our world needs now — leaders equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed, but also the empathy, compassion, and hope that guide them to build a better world.
In fact, our theme this year — another one of our important traditions — is Choosing hope, love, and compassion for our world. Important guidance for our students as we navigate a challenging world.
And, as our modern world evolves, so too do our technology, teaching practices, and learning models. In fact, we recently transformed our learning model. Before this year, we offered a single-gender learning environment for the entirety of our Senior School, Grades 7-12. This year, we have moved to a Diamond Model of Education, believed to be the only one in Canada, where our Senior High students now learn in a co-ed environment that mirrors a more realistic social setting and prepares them for a diverse and ever-evolving world, and our Junior High students continue to learn in a single-gender one, tailored for the unique needs and learning styles of this age group.
In Elementary School, we have introduced an Enrichment Program that combines Enrichment Clusters and Differentiated Teaching and Learning, ensuring a tailored experience for our students, one that gives them an early opportunity to start curating their skills and interests.
We also offer a bespoke Senior School program — Sacred Heart Experiential Learner for Life (SHELL) — which gives our students a more expansive, global, and mission-centric mindset and focuses on community service, mentorship, student leadership, and cultural competency. Like us, it is unique, tailored, and contemporary.
Our world is challenging, complex, and confusing. To navigate it, our students need an education that meets this moment. But we also need to go beyond academics and knowledge. That’s why families continue to trust Sacred Heart, because the skills that mattered in 1849 — critical thinking, empathy, and integrity — are still the foundation of our educational experience today, and they are values we know will guide our leaders of tomorrow.
