Academic Excellence at Sacred Heart Academy

2025-26 Curriculum Guide

Rooted in the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sacred Heart Academy empowers young women to think critically, lead confidently, and live with purpose. As a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, SHA offers a rigorous, college-preparatory program in a supportive, faith-based environment where every student is known and challenged to reach her full potential.


At Sacred Heart, learning is personalized. Each student’s schedule is thoughtfully designed to reflect her unique interests, talents, and goals. Through individualized academic counseling and a flexible master schedule built around student choice, SHA ensures that every young woman can pursue advanced coursework, explore new areas of study, and shape her own academic journey.


SHA’s curriculum features extensive Honors, Advanced Placement, and college-credit courses, as well as distinctive programs like the AP Capstone™ and the Bloomberg Finance Lab. Students are supported by highly qualified, New York State-certified faculty who integrate innovative technology into every classroom, equipping graduates with the skills to thrive in college and beyond.


A strong emphasis on STEM, the arts, and leadership development prepares SHA students for success across a wide range of fields. Whether conducting original research, performing on stage, or collaborating in class, Sacred Heart students grow as scholars, creators, and compassionate leaders ready to make a meaningful impact in the world.

SHA students build meaningful relationships with caring faculty who are committed to student success.

Advanced Placement

Sacred Heart Academy is a Platinum member of the 2024 AP School Honor Roll. This is the highest distinction awarded by the College Board. SHA earned distinction for college culture (number of seniors taking at least one AP course before graduating), college credit (earning an AP score of 3 or better) and college optimization (taking 5 APs throughout high school with at least 1 taken in 9th or 10th grade).

Advanced Placement Courses

Sacred Heart Academy Advanced Placement course offerings: 

AP Art

AP Biology

AP Calculus AB

AP Chemistry

AP Computer Science A

AP English Language

AP English Literature

AP Environmental Science

AP Italian Language

AP Music Theory

AP Physics

AP Psychology

AP Research

AP Seminar

AP Spanish Language

AP US Gov’t. & Politics

AP United States History

AP World History

AP Scholar Awards

Every fall, the AP Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through their performance on multiple AP Exams.


AP Scholar Awards come in different levels and types. See the criteria here:

Award Criteria
AP Scholar Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
AP Scholar with Honor Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
AP Scholar with Distinction Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
AP International Diploma (APID) Visit APID to see the criteria for this award.

The Science Research Center

A focus on careers in science and math helps prepare students to apply their scientific knowledge to real-world challenges. the Science Research Center at Sacred Heart Academy is a state-of-the-art facility, designed specifically for student-developed research projects. Equipped with 3D printers, laptops, a touch-screen smart board,  and the latest equipment for biotechnology research including mini-PCR machines, gel electrophoresis equipment and centrifuges, the lab provides opportunities for research in fields such as environmental science, chemistry, microbiology, computer science, robotics and behavioral sciences. 

A Four-Year Research Program

Research is a four-year program beginning with Introduction to Research 9 and including the AP Capstone Program. This sequence of courses is directed to those students who have a keen interest in the physical, natural, and social sciences and would like to pursue excellence in areas of original research. These students will have the opportunity to earn an AP Capstone Diploma, issued by the College Board and valued highly by colleges and universities around the world. 

Many students in the program showcase their research in publications and participate in internships with the nation's top research facilities and universities.

Bloomberg Finance Lab

At Sacred Heart Academy, more than 50 percent of our graduates pursue a finance/business major  in college. To assist our students to realize their academic and career goals, and to prepare them for leadership roles in a digital and globally focused job market, the Bloomberg Finance Laboratory was created.

This lab provides Sacred Heart Academy students with access to government, economic and financial data giving them the opportunity to practice skills in trade messaging, analytics and cost analysis and to gain Bloomberg Certification. Students benefit from integrating theory with real-world practice  to:

  • Deepen research and enrich classwork experience
  • Develop analytic skills
  • Make decisions based on real events and real data
  • Gain valuable hands-on experience using Bloomberg technology
  • Prepare for internships and a challenging global marketplace

Dual Enrollment

Under a dual enrollment program, Sacred Heart Academy students may take courses through the St. John’s University Extension Program, the Long Island High School Program of Adelphi University, the High School Program at Molloy University and St. Joseph’s University. This enables the Sacred Heart Academy to offer optional college credit for an additional fee at the same time a student is earning high school credit for her SHA Diploma. Transfer of the credit may be sought at other colleges according to the regulations of the admitting college/university. Courses are offered in English, Biology, Business, Mathematics, Music, Social Studies, Art/Computers, Theology, and World Languages.


Registration takes place in the Fall and in the Winter for most courses.  Each institution has different dates for its registration periods. 

  • Adelphi University

    College Credit Advantage Program CCAP Eligibility Document

    Fall 2025 Registration opens on Monday, September 15, 2025 and is open until October 31, 2025! 


     

    For more information use the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FYG9wiBefDXfvrcxvv1FSjFDuuHe1XseED3-Z9PZ1cE/edit?tab=t.0


    Courses on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 will include:

    • AP Biology
    • Spanish 4 Honors
    • French 4 Honors

    To Register use the button below:



    Register Here!

  • Molloy University

    We are excited to announce that registration for the Molloy University High School Scholars Program is officially open! The registration window runs from October 15, 2025 to February 13, 2026

    • *For students planning to attend Molloy University, you can receive a $1,000 Tuition Grant each year for four years as part of your financial aid package if you’ve taken one or more courses through this program.
    • Please make sure to complete your registration by February 13, 2026—no registrations will be accepted after this deadline, and all courses are non-refundable.
    • Courses: Pre Calc, Pre Calc H, Calc, AP Calc, Statistics, AP US History (Please register for HIST 111 & 112 at the same time) 
    • FEE:  $300 per course – Payment due at time of registration & is non-refundable
    • Discover the academic and extracurricular opportunities Molloy has to offer using this link: https://admissions.molloy.edu/portal/hsscholars
    Register Here

  • St. John’s University

    Fall 2025 Registration is now open and  will end on Friday, October 3, 2025 the payment deadline Friday, October 17,2025


     Courses on Thursday, September 18, 2025, will include:

    • Art 3 H 
    • Gender Studies (Literature in a Global Context)
    • AP Biology (Bio 2000/2001L)
    • French 5 Honors (French Level 1)
    • History of Musical Theatre
    REGISTER HERE

  • St. Joseph’s University

    1. The link to register for Fall courses 2025:   


    Courses Include

    • Theology 12
    • Healthcare Ethics
    • Graphic Design 1

    https://liadmissions.sjny.edu/register/sjli_bridge

    **Deadline October 22, 2025**


    2. Once completed, please fill out the additional paper Registration Form that you can pick up on the table in the College and Career Center on the 1st floor. On the registration form, students must include:


    3.  Cost is $180.00 for all of our courses plus the $25.00 processing fee = $205 payable to  "Sacred Heart Academy" (Please do not write SHA) Under "memo" of check please write "St.Joseph's College Credit Course 2025/2026"



College Courses Offered at SHA

 * Please note! When Spring Registration becomes available, it will posted on this page. 

 

  • Once the Registration Period ends for any and all semesters, students can no longer earn college credit for the course even if they are still in the course.
  • After a student graduates from Sacred Heart Academy or advances to the next grade level, a student may not register for any course that she has previously taken and has completed.
  • A student did not have to register for Pre-Calculus with Molloy in 11th grade in order for her to be eligible to register as a senior, for Calculus. They are separate entities at Molloy. This also applies to Statistics


Questions? 

Please contact:

Mrs. Kathleen O’Neill

Liaison for College Credit Programs

516-483-7383 x421

koneill@sacredheartacademyli.org

Academic Year 2025-26

Fall and Spring Classes

SHA College Credits
St. John's University Deadline: October 3, 2025
Please note - for all Fall and Spring courses a student must register in the Fall in order to register in the Spring.
AP Biology (Seniors Only) BIO 2000/Lab2001 BIO 3000/BIO3001L 4 credits Fall 4 credits Spring
French 5H FRE 1010/Level 1 FRE 1020/Level 2 3 credits Fall 3 credits Spring
Gender Studies Lit in a Global Context - ENG 1100 American Lit 2060 3 credits Fall 3 credits Spring
Studio Art 3H (Juniors) ART 1040 ART1100 3 credits Fall 3 credits Spring
History of Musical Theater MUS1260 American Musical Theater 3 credits Fall/Spring Registration takes place in the Fall
Molloy University Deadline: February 13, 2026
All registration for all courses begins on October 15, 2025 and ends on February 13, 2026.
All Pre-Calculus Classes MAT 1180 3 credits Spring
All Calculus Classes MAT 2110 4 credits Spring
AP US History* HIS 1110 / 1120 6 credits for Fall and Spring
Statistics MAT 1150A 3 credits Spring
* Register for both History 1110 and 1120 at the same time
Adelphi University Deadline: October 31, 2025
AP Biology (Juniors Only) Bio. Concepts and Methods / Lab 4 credits Fall 4 credits Spring
French 4H FRE Level 1 FRE Level 2 3 credits Fall 3 credits Spring
Spanish 4H Spanish Level 1 Spanish Level 2 3 credits Fall 3 credits Spring
St. Joseph's University Deadline: October 22, 2025
Graphic Design 1 Computer Graphic and Design 3 credits Fall
Theology 12** RS 174 - Social Justice and Human Development 2 credits Fall and Spring
Health Care Ethics** RS 204 - Health Care Ethics 3 credits Fall and Spring
**Registration takes place in the Fall only

SHA Visual & Performing Arts

At Sacred Heart Academy, the Visual and Performing Arts come alive, inviting our students to express their creativity through art, dance, music, and theatre. Here, girls thrive in a nurturing environment, forging lasting friendships while exploring their passions and building confidence. Join us in celebrating the power of sisterhood and self-expression!

Visual Arts

Dance

Music

Theatre

Summer 2025 Assignments