Did you know the area’s oldest school—and the oldest free school west of the Mississippi—is located in Frenchtown? The Academy of the Sacred Heart has been part of the St. Charles community for more than two centuries. In 1818 Philippine Duchesne, a Religious of the Sacred Heart from France, along with four companions arrived on the banks of the Missouri River in St. Charles following a 70-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean and 40 days up the Mississippi River from New Orleans. Once in St. Louis, they learned there was no available residence and were sent by Bishop DuBourg west to the frontier village of St. Charles. “He puts before us the great advantages St. Charles possesses. He thinks it will become one of the most important cities of North America,” Duchesne wrote in a letter back to France.
Just one week after arriving at the Duquette Mansion, so named as it was the largest log cabin in town, Mother Duchesne and the four nuns opened the Academy of the Sacred Heart on Sept. 14, 1818. For the next 205 years, apart from time spent in Florissant from 1819-1828, the Academy has been educating generations of young women—and since 1972—young men on the grounds bordered by Second, Clark, Fourth and Decatur streets. In addition, the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne, constructed in 1952, occupies part of the campus. Visitors learn much about her life in St. Charles, her canonization as a saint in 1988, and the school she founded which became the first Sacred Heart school in North America.
Today, the Academy is a Catholic independent elementary school and the first of 25 Network of Sacred Heart Schools in the U.S. and Canada. Open to boys and girls of all faiths in PreK 3 through Eighth grade, children are prepared for a lifetime of learning. Early mastery of reading and writing skills, math concepts and hands-on science, along with Spanish, art, music, and daily P.E. engage students in the joy of learning.
While the Academy may be an old school, it’s not old-school. A large computer lab, two science labs and a new makerspace are well-equipped, dedicated classrooms that invite inquiry and innovation. The STEM program builds experiences with 3D printers and drones, plus coding and video production. This year, the school received a generous grant from Gateway to Innovation to augment the STEAM program along with a recent Randy Schilling STEM Educators Grant from the Economic Development Council of St. Charles County.
The Academy is proud to be part of the St. Charles community. From special events like Country Fair, the annual fall festival, to Trivia Night to a Golf Outing held at Bogey Hills, families are welcome to join in the fun and get to know the Academy community. Chemin de Fer, a dinner auction and the school’s largest fundraiser, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on Saturday, April 27. In addition, to celebrate its roots in the Frenchtown neighborhood, the school will sponsor the Children’s Area at 636 Day on Saturday, June 1.
Timothy Horner became the school’s 46th Head of School in July 2022. He has embraced the school community and has a genuine appreciation for its deep roots in St. Charles. “As a vibrant community of learners and leaders, Academy students participate in a variety of extra-curriculars and clubs, a robust athletics program and stellar academics, led by an exceptional faculty,” says Mr. Horner. “Academy graduates are well-prepared for high school, college and beyond, making a difference in their communities. The Academy is honored to enjoy a rich legacy in St. Charles.”
