December '24 School Spotlight - Sacred Heart Academy in Grand Rapids, MI

Sacred Heart Academy: A Beacon of Classical Catholic Education

Nestled in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sacred Heart Academy stands as a testament to the transformative power of classical Catholic education and a commitment to reverent liturgical worship. This storied institution’s journey began in January 1905, when Sacred Heart of Jesus School first opened its doors to serve the burgeoning Catholic community. By the 1920s, enrollment surged to over 650 students, eventually reaching its peak capacity of 800 students. However, like many Catholic schools, Sacred Heart experienced significant challenges during the social upheavals of the mid-20th century, leading to declining enrollment and diminished vibrancy. By 2012, Sacred Heart of Jesus School had dwindled to just 68 students, its future uncertain. Then-Bishop Walter Hurley faced a pivotal decision: whether to close the school or seek new leadership to restore it. Enter Fr. Robert Sirico, whose arrival marked a turning point. Fr. Sirico envisioned not merely the survival of Sacred Heart but its revival as a thriving Catholic classical academy, deeply rooted in tradition and excellence.

Fr. Sirico’s vision took shape with the help of dedicated community members, passionate about restoring the school’s mission. By the 2013-2014 academic year, Sacred Heart began its transformation, introducing a classical curriculum, reintroducing school uniforms, and fostering a culture centered on faith and intellectual formation. The 2014-2015 academic year marked the official rebirth of Sacred Heart Academy as a fully classical institution. Today, Sacred Heart Academy has grown to 397 students—an astounding 583% increase in just a decade. The school’s authentically classical Catholic curriculum includes daily Mass, Latin studies, and an emphasis on the integration of faith and reason. Its faculty consists entirely of faithful, practicing Catholics, with no reliance on public funding or secular programs. Sacred Heart’s revival extended beyond academics. Fr. Sirico prioritized restoring the sacred in the parish’s liturgical life. Masses are celebrated ad orientem, emphasizing a unified worship of God, while altar rails were reinstalled to foster reverence during Holy Communion. Under skilled music direction, Gregorian chant and traditional Catholic hymns now elevate the liturgical experience, reintroducing the community to the beauty of sacred music in both Latin and English. These initiatives have fostered a deeper sense of sacredness and community within the parish, supporting the Academy’s mission of forming Saints and Scholars. Sacred Heart Academy’s commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed. The Academy has received numerous accolades, including being named to the Cardinal Newman Society Catholic School Honor Roll in 2020 and receiving the Hillsdale College Salvatori Prize for Excellence in teaching in 2021. Sacred Heart Academy has also made the Classical Learning Test’s Top 25 National High School Rankings for five consecutive years (2019-2023). For the years CLT has published these rankings, Sacred Heart Academy is only one of three schools, and the only Catholic school, that has been nationally ranked all five years. These achievements highlight Sacred Heart’s dedication to forming students who embody Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.

Palestrina 500 Festival: Honoring the Legacy of Sacred Music

In December 2024, Sacred Heart Academy and Parish launched the Palestrina 500 Music Festival to celebrate the quincentennial of Renaissance composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, whose work is central to the sacred music tradition. The festival began with a solemn Mass celebrated by Bishop David Walkowiak on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and will continue throughout 2025 with choirs from around the world joining Sacred Heart to perform Palestrina’s masterpieces during liturgies. This year-long celebration of sacred music offers a profound tribute to the beauty and reverence of the Catholic liturgical tradition, and all performances are offered free of charge to the public. The festival serves as a testament to Sacred Heart’s commitment to cultural renewal through the restoration of sacred beauty in both liturgy and education.

A Model for Renewal: Sacred Heart's Impact on Catholic Education

Sacred Heart’s remarkable revival has sparked nationwide interest. Communities across the country seek to replicate its success, leading to the establishment of the St. John Henry Newman Institute. This initiative, directly inspired by Sacred Heart, leverages the expertise of model schools to support other schools in curriculum development, staffing, fundraising, and the promotion of reverent worship.

Sacred Heart Academy exemplifies how a steadfast commitment to Catholic identity, classical education, and sacred tradition can transform a struggling institution into a beacon of hope. As it continues to grow and inspire, Sacred Heart offers a compelling model for renewing Catholic education in the modern age. For more information about Sacred Heart Academy and the Palestrina 500 Music Festival, visit sacredheartgr.org.