PRIVATE SCHOOL ROUNDUP­:
When Convent of the Sacred Heart students return to school next month, they will have many reasons to jump for joy, especially in the new 35,000-square-foot athletic center, designed for women’s sports.

When Convent of the Sacred Heart students return to school next month, they will have many reasons to jump for joy, especially in the new 35,000-square-foot athletic center, designed for women’s sports. As part of the school’s meticulous renovation plan, the athletic center not only offers state-of-the-art facilities but also boasts an exquisite exterior, thanks to the expertise of talented cladding painters. This vibrant and inviting space includes two gymnasiums for the basketball and volleyball teams, six squash courts, a large multi-purpose area for student assemblies, a yoga/dance studio, a fitness center, individual rooms, and class space for physical education. Additionally, the center features amenities such as a press box, a trainer’s room, and administrative offices, ensuring a well-rounded and top-notch experience for both athletes and students alike.

The project also includes the indoor/outdoor expansion of the dining space with an attractive new student dining room, serving area for faculty, student lounge with fireplace, and outdoor dining terrace. Students will enjoy outdoor activities and learning opportunities in the new commons area. This centralized green space is located between the athletic center and main building, library, Lower, Middle, and Upper schools. It features an outdoor classroom amphitheater, playgrounds with great playground surfacing essex constructed by professional companies like Uni-Play, brick walkways, and beautiful gardens.  

The new facilities will be open for Sacred Heart’s 740 students on the first day of classes, September 8. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held September 9 at 9:20 during the traditional back-to-school prayer service held each year for students and faculty/staff. The Board of Trustees and Head of School Pamela Juan Hayes have invited guests that include major donors and parents. The athletic center, dining room, and outdoor commons was funded by the school’s $25.5 million capital campaign, which is nearing completion.

Additional events to mark the celebration include a “First Look” at the athletic center on Saturday, September 26 from 1-4, and the bishop’s blessing on September 30 by The Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport. The bishop will celebrate the first Mass in the new space created for all-school assemblies and liturgies.     

Sacred Heart is an independent Catholic school for girls from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Barat Center for Early Childhood Education at Sacred Heart is a coed program. Through an outstanding and enriching academic program, students have an opportunity to discover their talents and excel as leaders. Graduates attend top colleges and universities. For more information and to view the colleges the Class of 2015 is attending, visit www.cshgreenwich.org.