Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (Texas)

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (/djuːˈʃɛn/ dew-SHEN)[1] is a combined primary and secondary independent girls' school located at 10202 Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas. A member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, it offers a college preparatory curriculum for girls.[2]

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Address
10202 Memorial Drive

Houston
,
Harris County
,
Texas
77024

United States
Coordinates29°46′40″N 95°29′08″W
Information
TypePrivate, Girls
Motto"Wise hearts, sharp minds."
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Patron saint(s)Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
Established1960
FounderSt. Rose Philippine Duchesne
Sister schoolRegis School
CEEB code443363
Head of schoolPatricia Swenson
Faculty164
GradesPK 3–12
GenderGirls
Enrollment671 (2015)
Average class size14
Student to teacher ratio8:1
Campus typeSuburban
HousesGrenoble, Amiens, Joigny, Poitiers
Color(s)Navy and Light blue   
Song"Coeur de Jesus"
Athletics15 Sports
MascotCha Cha the Charger
Team nameChargers
RivalSt. Agnes
AccreditationIndependent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS)
Head of Upper SchoolDonald Cramp Ph.D
Head of Middle SchoolAmy Witten
Head of Lower SchoolGinger Montalbano
Academic Dean (Upper School Underclassmen)Ginny Crosthwait
Academic Dean (Upper School Upperclassmen)Alaina Scorsone
Dean of Students (Upper School)Alye Inman
Websitewww.duchesne.org

Duchesne, which enrolls girls from pre-K3 to the 12th grade, is part of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest.

Duchesne is in the Memorial area and is east of the city of Hunters Creek Village.

History
Commencement of the class of 2008

Duchesne was established in September 1960 as a part of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, with 58 high-school pupils. The school is named after Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, the first member of the Society of the Sacred Heart to come to America. The school is part of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.

The campus was built around a large oak tree, in the center of its campus. It became a symbol for the school because the name "Duchesne" is French for "of the oak". The oak tree also represents a notable tradition at Duchesne, graduation. As each senior is called up to receive her diploma, she passes under the oak tree.

On September 17, 2014, the original oak tree fell during a thunderstorm; however, it was over fifty years old and had been weakened after surviving a severe drought. On February 17, 2015, a new oak tree was transported by crane to a location near where the old oak tree previously stood and is currently still standing.[3] The new oak tree allows the graduation tradition to continue for many years to come.

Another fixture of the campus is a two-story white house that stood on the property when it was purchased for the school. It faces the oak tree and houses the RSCJ who live on campus. Some of the school's classes were originally conducted here.

Student life

The school is divided into three divisions: the Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. The school has an annual tradition known as Congé - a day where classes are canceled and the Senior class organizes games and activities for the entire school to participate in.

Academics and culture

In 1974, Texas Monthly stated that students from Duchesne and nearby Saint Agnes Academy originated from "mostly business and professional people with money".[4]

In 2017, Niche ranked Duchesne among the Best Private High Schools in the Houston metro area.[5]

Upper School Curriculum

Upper school students must complete four years of Mathematics, English, History, Science, Religion, as well as three years of Foreign Language to graduate. As a part of the student's religious studies, freshman and sophomores must complete two service projects each semester, while juniors and seniors do off campus service every Wednesday during school hours. Additionally, Upper School students must have of one fine arts credit and computer credit by the time they graduate. Each student receives a half credit for each fine arts and computer course taken, each year, as well as a half credit for Duchesne's 1:1 laptop program.[6]

Athletics

Duchesne offers 11 sports for students to participate in throughout the academic year. In the fall, Duchesne offers field hockey, cross country, and volleyball as sports. Soccer, basketball, and swimming are played in the winter season. In the spring, students play tennis, track and field, softball, and lacrosse. Golf is offered year-round, and Swimming occurs during the end of the fall season, all of the winter season, and part of the spring season. Duchesne is affiliated with the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS).

Notable Organizations

Robotics

Iron Plaid 3103 is the school's all-girl high school robotics team associated with FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Founded in 2009, the team has won numerous awards, including the Rookie All-Star award and a Finalist award in 2009, the Engineering Inspiration award, Industrial Design award and Industrial Safety award in 2014, the Engineering Inspiration award in 2015 and in 2017. The team has attended championships a total of 4 times.

See also

Notes
  1. The school approximates the French e vowel rather than using the anglicized dew-SHAYN.
  2. "About Duchesne". Archived from the original on 2010-08-07. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  3. Chilson, Andie. "Duchesne Academy Plants a New Oak Tree". The Buzz Magazines. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  4. "Texas Monthly's Guide to Private Schools Part Two." Texas Monthly. Emmis Communications, October 1974. Vol. 2, No. 10. ISSN 0148-7736. Start page 83. Cited: p. 87.
  5. "2017 Best Private High Schools in Houston Metro". Niche. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  6. "Upper School". Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
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