News at SHA

SHA Named #1 Catholic High School in Nassau County by Niche for 2027
October 20, 2026

An education designed for her future. A community where she belongs. An experience that prepares her for all she is meant to be.

Sacred Heart Academy is proud to announce that it has been named the #1 Catholic High School in Nassau County in Niche’s 2027 Best Catholic High Schools rankings, a recognition that reflects our commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, faith, and preparing young women to lead with confidence and purpose.


At SHA, we believe an exceptional education is about more than what a student learns in the classroom. It is about who she becomes, the confidence she builds, the relationships she forms, and the possibilities she discovers along the way. This recognition celebrates the experience we work to create every day: an education made for her.


An Education Designed for Her to Thrive

Every young woman has her own strengths, ambitions, interests, and dreams. At Sacred Heart Academy, she is encouraged to discover them, challenge herself, and explore what is possible in an environment intentionally designed for how young women learn, lead, and thrive.


Through a personalized approach to learning, dedicated faculty, and a college preparatory curriculum that challenges and inspires, students are empowered to think critically, ask questions, pursue their passions, and prepare for the next chapter of their lives.


From honors and Advanced Placement courses to dual-enrollment opportunities and individualized college guidance, SHA helps each student build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue her future with purpose.


Because preparing her for college is important. Preparing her to make the most of every opportunity beyond it is just as essential.


A Community Where She Belongs

At SHA, she becomes part of something bigger than herself.


In a community rooted in sisterhood, compassion, and shared purpose, young women are encouraged to find their voices, support one another, and step forward as leaders. Whether she takes the stage, competes on the field, serves her community, explores a new interest, or leads a student initiative, she has opportunities to discover where she shines and how she can make a difference.

Here, leadership is not limited to a title. It is built through everyday moments of courage, collaboration, responsibility, and kindness.


Our Catholic tradition inspires a commitment to service, integrity, and respect for the dignity of every person. Students are invited to grow spiritually, strengthen their values, and develop a deeper understanding of how they can contribute to the world around them.


At Sacred Heart Academy, she is known, encouraged, and challenged to become the fullest expression of herself.


Made for Her. Because She Is Meant for More.

The most meaningful measure of an SHA education is not a ranking alone. It is the young woman who graduates ready to pursue her ambitions, embrace new challenges, build meaningful relationships, and lead with heart.


It is the student who discovers a passion she never knew she had. The young woman who finds the confidence to speak up, the courage to try something new, and the strength to lift others as she rises. It is the graduate who leaves SHA prepared not only for college, but for a life of purpose, possibility, and impact. That is what it means to be made for her.


At Sacred Heart Academy, she is made to discover, create, grow, lead, and belong. She is encouraged to imagine a future that reflects her gifts and ambitions, and equipped with the foundation to pursue it.


Discover what makes Sacred Heart Academy the place for her. Explore our academic programs, student life, and admissions opportunities to see how an SHA education can help her become all she is meant to be.

Sacred Heart’s Isabella Paesano ‘26 Honored with $10,000 Dante Foundation Award

July 22, 2026
At an awards ceremony on June 24, Isabella Paesano ‘26 accepted a $10,000 scholarship from the Mineola-based Dante Foundation. The competitive grant is awarded each year to a handful of students across Nassau and Suffolk counties who are of Italian heritage, achieve an above average score on the SATs, are actively involved in their high schools, and plan to attend college after graduation. The event, which took place at the elegant Westbury Manor, is an annual celebration founded to encourage fellowship among Italian-Americans and fundraise to establish scholarships for outstanding youth. Isabella credits her time here at Sacred Heart Academy for helping her earn the scholarship. She says the transformative power of a single-sex education has helped her gain the confidence and leadership skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond. “Going to an all-girls school had great benefits. I met my lifelong friends here and it helped shape who I am today.” Isabella says staying involved in sports and activities helped foster those friendships and gave her a sense of belonging. Over the course of her time here at Sacred Heart Isabella played on Varsity Field Hockey, and immersed herself in clubs such as Best Buddies, Lady Spartans Against Cancer, Limb Kind Club, Friend of Ronald McDonald House, and of course, Red & Gold. As Isabella prepares to attend Fairfield University this fall, she fondly reflects on her years here on campus, specifically her experience as Spirit Captain for Gold in last year’s Red & Gold. “One memory that will always stay with me from my time at Sacred Heart is when it was announced that the Gold team won, proving everyone's hard work and dedication to the team paid off!” Isabella’s dedication extends well beyond the SHA campus and into her community. Every summer, Isabella immerses herself in service, volunteering at Camp ANCHOR and giving her time to the Mary Ruchalski Foundation , a Long Island charity dedicated to raising awareness for pediatric cancer. “Throughout my experience at SHA I have learned to Lead with Heart. From my freshman year to senior, my classmates have always been there for me.” She added that the faculty here at SHA, specifically the teachers of the Resource Room, helped her achieve her academic goals. “They believed in me and gave me so much support through my entire career SHA.” Isabella will study psychology at Fairfield in the hopes of becoming an occupational therapist for children with special needs. Sacred Heart Academy congratulates Isabella on her well-earned scholarship and is proud to count her among the most recent members of its national sisterhood of SHA alumnae!

Natalia Taylor '27 Sets Sacred Heart Academy Track and Field Records

June 23, 2026
Record-breaking thrower Natalia Taylor credits patience, perseverance, and the Sacred Heart sisterhood for her success on and off the field.

Inspiring Excellence in Every Student

Rooted in faith and tradition, we empower young women to lead with confidence, compassion, and integrity. Through rigorous academics, spiritual growth, and a supportive sisterhood, our students are inspired to excel in college and beyond while making a meaningful impact in the world.

Sacred Heart’s Isabella Paesano ‘26 Honored with $10,000 Dante Foundation Award

July 22, 2026
At an awards ceremony on June 24, Isabella Paesano ‘26 accepted a $10,000 scholarship from the Mineola-based Dante Foundation. The competitive grant is awarded each year to a handful of students across Nassau and Suffolk counties who are of Italian heritage, achieve an above average score on the SATs, are actively involved in their high schools, and plan to attend college after graduation. The event, which took place at the elegant Westbury Manor, is an annual celebration founded to encourage fellowship among Italian-Americans and fundraise to establish scholarships for outstanding youth. Isabella credits her time here at Sacred Heart Academy for helping her earn the scholarship. She says the transformative power of a single-sex education has helped her gain the confidence and leadership skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond. “Going to an all-girls school had great benefits. I met my lifelong friends here and it helped shape who I am today.” Isabella says staying involved in sports and activities helped foster those friendships and gave her a sense of belonging. Over the course of her time here at Sacred Heart Isabella played on Varsity Field Hockey, and immersed herself in clubs such as Best Buddies, Lady Spartans Against Cancer, Limb Kind Club, Friend of Ronald McDonald House, and of course, Red & Gold. As Isabella prepares to attend Fairfield University this fall, she fondly reflects on her years here on campus, specifically her experience as Spirit Captain for Gold in last year’s Red & Gold. “One memory that will always stay with me from my time at Sacred Heart is when it was announced that the Gold team won, proving everyone's hard work and dedication to the team paid off!” Isabella’s dedication extends well beyond the SHA campus and into her community. Every summer, Isabella immerses herself in service, volunteering at Camp ANCHOR and giving her time to the Mary Ruchalski Foundation , a Long Island charity dedicated to raising awareness for pediatric cancer. “Throughout my experience at SHA I have learned to Lead with Heart. From my freshman year to senior, my classmates have always been there for me.” She added that the faculty here at SHA, specifically the teachers of the Resource Room, helped her achieve her academic goals. “They believed in me and gave me so much support through my entire career SHA.” Isabella will study psychology at Fairfield in the hopes of becoming an occupational therapist for children with special needs. Sacred Heart Academy congratulates Isabella on her well-earned scholarship and is proud to count her among the most recent members of its national sisterhood of SHA alumnae!

Natalia Taylor '27 Sets Sacred Heart Academy Track and Field Records

June 23, 2026
Record-breaking thrower Natalia Taylor credits patience, perseverance, and the Sacred Heart sisterhood for her success on and off the field.

Heart of SHA: Faylen Morales ‘28

June 17, 2026
Ever since Faylen Morales ‘28 was 8 years old, she has known she wanted to help build a world where everyone feels included. That passion drove her to attend Sacred Heart Academy in the fall of 2024, where, in addition to her rigorous academic schedule, she competes as a Varsity swimmer, is an active member of the Cooking Club, and takes part in Red & Gold. Beyond her commitments at SHA, Faylen has volunteered as a coach at TOPSoccer for the past 8 years, a recreational soccer program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities. She credits her dedication to the organization for making her a ‘more compassionate, patient and understanding person.” Faylen attributes Sacred Heart Academy to teaching her that “true leadership comes from leading with love, compassion and faith." "SHA reminds us to do everything through Jesus and shows me that leadership is not about recognition, but about serving others with kindness and using our actions to make a positive difference in people’s lives.” A rising Junior, Faylen already plans to attend college, where she will study to be a school psychologist serving children with diverse learning needs. “I am so thankful to have been exposed to children and adults with special needs from a young age because those experiences helped me develop a passion for helping others and making a positive impact on people’s lives. My experience at Sacred Heart has strengthened my compassion, patience, and desire to serve others, helping me grow into the kind of person who wants to give back to my community and support others in meaningful ways.” Sacred Heart Academy is proud to recognize Faylen as a shining example of what it means to Lead with Heart!