Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Sacred Heart Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Sacred Heart Academy

  • LocationHempstead, NY
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 677 students
  • SponsorSisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood

All-female

Official website

Sacred Heart Academy is an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school in Hempstead, New York, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood. Its official pages describe a theology course requirement of four credits for the diploma, a daily morning prayer, retreat days for all students, and a 20-hour yearly service requirement.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Sacred Heart Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miSaint Thomas the Apostle Church: 0.5 mi1Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church: 0.8 mi2Saint Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church: 0.9 mi3St Stephen's Knanya Catholic Church: 1.0 mi4Saint Josephs Roman Catholic Church: 1.0 mi5Saint Vladimir the Great Ukrainian Catholic Church: 1.5 mi6Campus Ministry, Sacred Heart Academy: 0.0 miSacred Heart Academy (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Thomas the Apostle Church — 0.5 mi · 24 Westminster Road, West Hempstead
  2. Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church — 0.8 mi
  3. Saint Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church — 0.9 mi
  4. St Stephen's Knanya Catholic Church — 1.0 mi · 384 Clinton Street, Hempstead
  5. Saint Josephs Roman Catholic Church — 1.0 mi
  6. Saint Vladimir the Great Ukrainian Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 720 Front Street, Hempstead

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (The handbook lists Theology at 4 credits. English is listed at 4 credits for four years; a full-year theology course counts as one credit. Four year-equivalents. Theology Honor Society criteria refer to Theology 9, 10 and 11.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027irp.cdn-website.com/e5589356/files/uploaded/SHA+Student+Handbook+2026-2027+.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to earn a minimum of 30.0 credits and complete the following curriculum to earn a Sacred Heart Diploma: Theology (4 cr.)”
      Theology is a 4-credit diploma requirement.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (An elective in Ethics in Healthcare is listed in the theology department.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith at Sacred Heart Academy | Hempstead, NYsacredheartacademyli.org/catholic-identity · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “students select from electvies such as: Quest for Peace and Ethics in Healthcare”
      Ethics in Healthcare is offered as a theology elective.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
ACampus culture: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Campus culture

90 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The handbook says all students are expected to participate in retreat days.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027irp.cdn-website.com/e5589356/files/uploaded/SHA+Student+Handbook+2026-2027+.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are expected to participate in retreat days since this is part of the overall curriculum and personal growth of each student.”
      All students are expected to attend retreat days.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two campus ministry staff are listed: a Director of Campus Ministry and a Sister listed under Campus Ministry.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff at Sacred Heart Academy | Hempstead, NYsacredheartacademyli.org/faculty---staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mary Jo Clarke Director of Campus Ministry”
      Mary Jo Clarke is the Director of Campus Ministry, and S. Eileen Brennan is listed under Campus Ministry.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (The Catholic League is listed as a student club.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027irp.cdn-website.com/e5589356/files/uploaded/SHA+Student+Handbook+2026-2027+.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic League, all other clubs not listed.”
      The Catholic League is a student club.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The handbook includes a Daily Morning Prayer as part of the school day.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027irp.cdn-website.com/e5589356/files/uploaded/SHA+Student+Handbook+2026-2027+.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Morning Prayer Gracious God, thank you for the gift of life.”
      The handbook includes a daily morning prayer.
AService and Catholic social teaching: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (Every student must complete 20 hours of community service each year; hours do not carry over; about 80 hours over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027irp.cdn-website.com/e5589356/files/uploaded/SHA+Student+Handbook+2026-2027+.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student must complete 20 hours of community service”
      Every student must complete 20 hours of community service.
      “complete annual community service (20 hours)”
      The 20-hour community service requirement is annual.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (The Social Teachings of the Church are listed among theology courses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith at Sacred Heart Academy | Hempstead, NYsacredheartacademyli.org/catholic-identity · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sacred Heart Academy offers a robust theology department that offers many opportunities for reflection and discussion. These courses include: Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, Doctrines of the Church, Sacraments, Church History, Morality, and the Social Teachings of the Church.”
      The theology department offers courses including the Social Teachings of the Church.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Campus ministry lists social justice initiatives; service and outreach projects are also described.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027irp.cdn-website.com/e5589356/files/uploaded/SHA+Student+Handbook+2026-2027+.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “through liturgies, retreats, leadership opportunities, community service and social justice initiatives.”
      Campus ministry includes social justice initiatives.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • The handbook requires four credits of theology for the diploma.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027irp.cdn-website.com/e5589356/files/uploaded/SHA+Student+Handbook+2026-2027+.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to earn a minimum of 30.0 credits and complete the following curriculum to earn a Sacred Heart Diploma: Theology (4 cr.)”
      Theology is a 4-credit diploma requirement.
  • Retreat days are expected for all students, and each student must complete 20 hours of community service each year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027irp.cdn-website.com/e5589356/files/uploaded/SHA+Student+Handbook+2026-2027+.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are expected to participate in retreat days since this is part of the overall curriculum and personal growth of each student.”
      All students are expected to attend retreat days.
      “complete annual community service (20 hours)”
      The 20-hour community service requirement is annual.
  • The theology department offers the Social Teachings of the Church.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith at Sacred Heart Academy | Hempstead, NYsacredheartacademyli.org/catholic-identity · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sacred Heart Academy offers a robust theology department that offers many opportunities for reflection and discussion. These courses include: Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, Doctrines of the Church, Sacraments, Church History, Morality, and the Social Teachings of the Church.”
      The theology department offers courses including the Social Teachings of the Church.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Sacred Heart Academy

  • Address: 47 Cathedral Ave., Hempstead, NY 11550
  • Distance from campus: less than 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

Source: sacredheartacademyli.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, sacredheartacademyli.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 5 location not published

Clubs and groups 1

  • Theology Honor Society
    Honor society for students who complete theology courses, a 300-word essay, and 40 hours of community service.
    irp.cdn-website.com

Liturgy and prayer 1

Retreats 1

  • Retreat days
    Retreat days that all students are expected to attend, scheduled on regular school days.
    irp.cdn-website.com

Service 2

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Faculty & Staff at Sacred Heart Academy | Hempstead, NYsacredheartacademyli.org/faculty---staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mary Jo Clarke Director of Campus Ministry”
    Mary Jo Clarke is the Director of Campus Ministry, and S. Eileen Brennan is listed under Campus Ministry.
    “Mary Jo Clarke Director of Campus Ministry”
    Mary Jo Clarke is the Director of Campus Ministry, and S. Eileen Brennan is listed under Campus Ministry.
    “Sacred Heart Academy is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood. 47 Cathedral Ave., Hempstead, NY 11550 Phone: (516) 483-7383”
    The school is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood and is located at 47 Cathedral Avenue, Hempstead.
  2. Student Handbook 2026-2027irp.cdn-website.com/e5589356/files/uploaded/SHA+Student+Handbook+2026-2027+.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “through liturgies, retreats, leadership opportunities, community service and social justice initiatives.”
    Campus ministry includes social justice initiatives.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
89 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.100%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.13.5 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseDiocese of Rockville Centre, NY
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)677
Students in grades 9–12677
Coed or single-sexAll-female
Student–teacher ratio13.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
SettingSuburb

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Diocese of Rockville Centre

The Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of Rockville Centre

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: drvc.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Sacred Heart Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Sacred Heart Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Its sponsor is Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood.

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