Our History

In response to Pope St. John Paul II's call to the laity for a new evangelization, a group of parents desiring a classical Catholic education began a grades K-3 part-time school of basic studies in the basement of a home in 1998. As parishioners of St. Mary’s in Rockford, they saw a connection to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the rectory’s name and a statue; personal devotions to the Sacred Heart solidified the decision to name the school. In 2000, the decision was made to become a full-time school with plans to add one grade level each year.  A former school building located at 3218 11th Street became the home of the newly-formed academy. In 2009 the academy was officially recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, and in 2010 it was accredited by two national organizations. In 2018, the academy, now a Pre-K-12 school, moved to its current location on Elmwood Road. The 2019-20 year marked the twentieth anniversary of the academy’s educational apostolate. In spring of 2020, our high school joined the Chesterton Schools Network and adopted its internationally-acclaimed model and curriculum.

With gratitude to Our Lord, and to his Mother, we re-dedicate our school and ourselves to the goal of leading students to a knowledge and love of God. We strive to cultivate wisdom and virtue in our students so that they may appreciate our Catholic traditions, and our Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman heritage; defend our republic and constitution; champion the sanctity of life; and foster reverence for the natural family and its blessing of children as a heritage from the Lord.