The Academy of the Sacred Heart has a history that is rich in both tradition and values. This history dates back to France in the year 1800 when Madeline Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart, a religious congregation for women. St. Madeline Sophie was fortunate enough to have received an education from her brother during a time when women simply were not educated. It is upon her vision for the education of young women that all Sacred Heart schools have their foundation.

St. Philippine Duchesne brought the Society of the Sacred Heart to America in 1818. Under her direction, two Religious of the Sacred Heart, Mother Eugenie Audé and Sr. Mary Layton, traveled to Grand Coteau to establish the Academy in 1821. Mrs. Charles Smith, a wealthy local widow, made the journey of these two women possible. With the condition that the nuns open a school for young women, Mrs. Smith donated funds for the trip, as well as 50 acres of property and a school building. The Academy opened its doors to eight students in October of 1821 and has been committed to excellence in the education of young women for over 180 years.

The Academy is part of a national and an international network of Sacred Heart Schools. There are twenty-one schools in the United States and over two hundred schools internationally. All of these schools are rooted in the philosophy and vision of St. Madeline Sophie.

The Academy is concerned for each student's intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual development. The intention of Sacred Heart education is the formation of the "whole child."

The Academy strives to educate young women to be faith-filled and effective leaders of tomorrow. Sacred Heart educators teach according to the ways that girls learn best; encouraging students to identify their individual talents and to develop them to their full potential. This is the tradition of Sacred Heart education.

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