Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is a private, all-girls Catholic school located in Bethesda, Maryland, and is a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, an international community of Catholic women founded by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat in Amiens, France in 1800, with other notable members including Duchess of Alba, Princess Michael of Kent, and Wallis, Duchess of Windsor. The school is part of a network of over 150 Society of the Sacred Heart schools worldwide, including Sacred Heart Greenwich, Convent of the Sacred Heart (New York City), and Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Catholic Educational Association. The school's mission is to educate girls to become confident, compassionate, and courageous leaders, inspired by the vision of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat and the Goals and Criteria of the Society of the Sacred Heart, which emphasize the importance of faith, intellect, and service.

● History

The school was founded in 1923 by the Society of the Sacred Heart and has a long history of academic excellence, with notable events including the Second Vatican Council, which influenced the school's Catholic identity, and the Civil Rights Movement, which inspired the school's commitment to social justice. The school has been shaped by the leadership of Mother Stuart McAuley, Mother Mary Myles, and other notable Society of the Sacred Heart educators, who have emphasized the importance of faith, academics, and service. The school has also been influenced by the Catholic Church's teachings on social justice, as expressed by Pope John XXIII in Pacem in Terris and by Pope Francis in Laudato si'.

● Academics

The school offers a rigorous academic program, with courses in English literature, mathematics, science, and foreign languages, including Spanish, French, and Latin. The school is known for its strong programs in STEM fields, including computer science, engineering, and biology, and has partnerships with organizations such as NASA, National Institutes of Health, and Johns Hopkins University. The school's faculty includes experienced educators, such as Dr. Maria Montessori, Dr. Jean Piaget, and Dr. Howard Gardner, who have made significant contributions to the field of education. The school's academic program is designed to prepare students for success at top universities, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Campus

The school's campus is located on a 35-acre property in Bethesda, Maryland, and features state-of-the-art facilities, including a library, laboratories, and athletic fields. The campus is also home to the Society of the Sacred Heart's United States province, which is led by Provincial Superior Sister Sheila Hammond. The school's campus has been recognized for its sustainability initiatives, including energy-efficient buildings and recycling programs, and has been certified by organizations such as LEED and Green Schools Alliance. The school's campus is also located near Washington, D.C., providing students with access to Smithsonian Institution museums, National Gallery of Art, and other cultural institutions.

● Student Life

The school offers a range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, service organizations, and performing arts groups, such as the Stone Ridge Chorale and the Stone Ridge Drama Club. Students can also participate in leadership programs, such as the Student Council and the National Honor Society, and can engage in community service projects, such as volunteering at local food banks and nursing homes. The school's student life program is designed to foster a sense of community and social responsibility, and is inspired by the Goals and Criteria of the Society of the Sacred Heart, which emphasize the importance of faith, intellect, and service. The school's students have also been recognized for their achievements, including National Merit Scholarships and Presidential Awards for Excellence in Education.

● Athletics

The school's athletic program includes teams in soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and tennis, among other sports, and competes in the Independent School League and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. The school's athletic teams have won numerous championships, including league titles and state championships, and have produced notable athletes, such as Olympic athletes Kerri Walsh Jennings and Mia Hamm. The school's athletic program is designed to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship, and is inspired by the Olympic Games' values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

● Notable Alumni

The school has a long list of notable alumnae, including business leaders such as Indra Nooyi and Mary Barra, politicians such as Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris, and artists such as Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keeffe. The school's alumnae have also made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including Dr. Mae Jemison, Dr. Sally Ride, and Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein. The school's alumnae have been recognized for their achievements, including Pulitzer Prizes, Nobel Prizes, and Presidential Medals of Freedom, and have been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Category:Private schools in Maryland