Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart

Infobox_School2 | name = Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart
motto = Christus Super Omnia
"("Christ Above All")"
established = 1870
type = Private, all-female
head_name2 = Religious Affiliation
head2 = Roman Catholic, Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity
head_name = Principal
head = Barbara Eckert Ochterski
free_label = Colors
free = maroon and white
city = Amherst
state = NY
country = USA
website = http://www.sacredheartacademy.org/

Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity private high school for young women located at 3860 Main Street Buffalo, New York. It is operated independent of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

History

The Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity in 1877 to provide an education rich in the arts, sciences, and humanities for the daughters of immigrant families. Prior to this time, girls' education consisted largely of home schooling in the arts of dressmaking and meal preparation. The Sisters' Franciscan vision included instruction in matters of faith and development of moral character, but beyond that, the Sisters believed in the value of educating young women as whole persons, capable of reaching heights unknown in previous generations.

This radical idea found its home in the Sisters' convent with an opening enrollment of fifteen young women. By 1889 the Academy's campus included the convent, a five story school building, an annex, and a building used for science labs. The Sisters began the school's last addition with much trust in their foundresses' words, "God will provide." Construction commenced with a $500 donation and the gift of two canal barges filled with sandstone.

In time, as respect and desire for the education of young women grew in the community, the Academy outgrew its quarters on Washington Street in downtown Buffalo, NY. In 1928 the Sisters secured the five acre park-like property in Eggertsville, and began supervising construction of the new Sacred Heart Academy; employing expert craftsmen and utilizing the finest materials. Their vision was to create a facility to last through the ages, rich in architectural detail and simple beauty. In many ways the building serves as a metaphor for the school itself -- suggesting stability, integrity, tradition and excellence, with promise for the future. In 1930 the cornerstone was laid, welcoming a new era in the history of the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart.

In 1997 the campus was yet again expanded with the purchase of an adjacent building, providing additional learning areas for SHA's music students. Clare Music Hall, named in honor of St. Clare of Assisi, opened in September 1999 and provides space for classroom instruction and individual instrumental music lessons, as well as a rehearsal area for vocal groups and instrumental ensembles.

Throughout its history, and amid profound changes in society and culture, Sacred Heart Academy has remained faithful to the unchanging values of its foundresses. The Academy offers sound education and superior moral foundations, a formula which has served young women in Western New York for 127 years.

chool Songs

Traditional Version:Let Alma Mater's praises fill the breezeWith lusty, loyal voices ringing clear; And let our chorus rise above the trees,'Til every hill re-echoes our academy cheer.

Ring out then your hoya with a choo-choo rah rah, choo-choo rah rah, choo-choo rah rah rah rah rah. Ring out then your hoya with a choo-choo rah rah, choo-choo rah rah for SHA!

The clustering pines catch up the joyful strain,And high their lofty plumes in triumph toss,While loyal hearts sing out the glad refrainYour girls are true, we'll live for you, Dear SHA !

Modern Version:From the statue in the hall,to the chapel light aboveare laughing friendly faces that we have learned to love.Sacred Heart, our alma mater,

Sing her praises dearIn unity is loyalty, our hearts will e're be here.

We work and read and pray,in the halls of SHA

Our hearts will e're be true, to memories of you.O Alma Mater, dear; we praise you through the yearWe'll keep those mem'ries bright.Let's hail maroon and white!

Students sing the modern version of the school song every other Friday morning, after a Catholic Mass.

Notable alumni and faculty

*Kristen Pfaff Musician