Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Sacred Heart Model School, founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre led a special liturgy on September 25 to commemorate the occasion. The event was attended by students, staff, faculty, Ursuline Sisters, archdiocesan officials, and three former principals: Sister Catherine Franze, Dr. Mary Beth Bowling, and Dr. Michael Bratcher.

The school was established in 1924 on a 48-acre campus on Lexington Road that the sisters had purchased in 1877. According to a press release from the school, it served as a “model teaching environment” for students studying elementary education at Sacred Heart Junior College.

“The sisters founded the model school, and the whole idea was the school would help educate teachers to be the model in best practices in teaching at the time. And those teachers went out and taught all over the archdiocese,” said Dr. Karen McNay in a recent interview. “This is supposed to be the best practice in Catholic education."

“We’re just blessed that now we walk in those footsteps and continue that tradition of the Ursulines,” added McNay, who is president of Sacred Heart Schools.

Leah Mullen, principal of Sacred Heart Model School, described this period as an exciting time for the institution. “There’s a lot of rich history and tradition that’s been established here,” she said in an interview. “We work every day to carry out our name.”

Mullen noted that enrollment has reached a record high with 428 students while maintaining small class sizes.

In recent years, one highlight has been receiving authorization for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme in 2013. This program aims to "develop internationally minded citizens" through comprehensive education focusing on communication, collaboration, critical thinking, research, and self-management skills embedded within classwork.

The model school has also been named a National Blue Ribbon School twice—in 2001 and 2008.

McNay emphasized that maintaining Catholic identity and Ursuline charism remains paramount for Sacred Heart Schools. “When it comes to our faith," she said noting efforts like creating an Office of Catholic Identity and Ursuline Charism in 2022.

Faculty members have participated in faith formation programs this year as part of these efforts. “That is new," McNay noted. "It’s been really welcomed to have time that we can just work on our community and our relationship with God."

Additionally offering regular religion classes; they also provide Catechesis of Good Shepherd—a Montessori-based method focusing on children's encounter with Jesus Christ as Good Shepherd.

Looking ahead McNay expressed hopes for growth particularly within science technology engineering math offerings along with Catechesis Good Shepherd program athletics.

“The one wonderful thing about Sacred Heart Schools is that we’re always improving," she concluded giving credit faculty staff continued efforts support students improve overall experience at model school under Ms.Mullen leadership