For 133 years, Sacred Heart Catholic School has educated students from Rowan, Davidson, Iredell and Cabarrus counties.

“We enjoy a long history, always offering academic excellence … with a traditional classroom model but with all current technology and educational trends,” Principal Frank Cardelle says. “Our mission is to develop each student spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially. Academic success is very important but our students must also learn how to live and serve respectively and responsibly in our ever-changing society.”

This year, the school begins classes Aug. 19, starting with a full school day at 7:55 a.m. and dismissing at 3 p.m. Sacred Heart will host parent orientations on Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and a student classroom visitation on Aug. 18 from 11 a.m. until noon.

Sacred Heart invites all children and is composed of many different nationalities and Christian affiliations. The school campus is located at 385 Lumen Christi Lane in Salisbury. Sacred Heart employs 40 people – 20 full-time teachers, 10 part-time teachers and 10 staff.

There are approximately 225 students enrolled in the school’s prekindergarten (3- and 4-year-olds) through eighth grade classes, with separate elementary and middle schools. Sacred Heart continues to offer small teacher to student ratios in math and language arts (one-to-12 or fewer in elementary school and one-to-23 in middle school).

Seven years ago, the school moved to its new 100-acre campus with 21^st century classrooms, including SMART technology with laptops, iPads, tablets, interactive boards, document readers and classroom surround sound. Sacred Heart Catholic School is fully district accredited by AdvancED of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Diocese of Charlotte, and is also North Carolina State Certified.

Sacred Heart offers an advanced curriculum in language arts, math, science and social studies, and computer technology (similar to AIG in public schools).

Other subjects taught include religion, Spanish, Latin, creative writing, handwriting, art, music appreciation and choir.

All elementary students receive physical education daily with a certified physical education teacher. Subject curriculums are based on the NC Common Core Curriculum, but enhanced and extended by Charlotte Catholic Diocesan school standards.

Middle school students have physical education three times per week and are able to choose elective courses, such as advanced art, sports management, literary magazine, yearbook, Math Club and Dolphin TV.

Their writing curriculum is supplemented with “Empowering Writers.” Some additional academic challenges that are offered include: Math Olympiad, Battle of the Books, Catholic Daughters Writing Contest, Geography Bee, National Spanish Exam, National History Exam, Junior Beta Club, Book It Reading, annual spelling bee, N.C. State Science Fair, Lego Robotics and Chess Club.

Athletics are an integral part of Sacred Heart Catholic School and include junior varsity teams for grades four through six and varsity teams for grades seven and eight. Students can participate in 17 different teams, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cheerleading, golf, softball, cross country, baseball and track and field (track and field is open to grades one through eight).

School traditions and activities include morning assembly with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, weekly mass, fall open house, All Saints Day parade, Christmas store, President’s Day parade, Catholic School Week celebrations, holiday class parties, One Hundred Days of School Celebration, May Crowning, field day, an annual Christmas program, pep rallies, the President’s Fitness Challenge and much more. In addition, students are encouraged to participate in book fairs, field trips, class plays and school dances.

Community service projects include collecting food for Rowan Helping Ministries, Meals on Wheels and Faithful Friends; fundraising for Share-the-Warmth program and the Arc Festival of Trees; visiting Prayer Pals at Genesis Nursing Home; volunteering at Rowan Helping Ministries; and sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drives. Students also participate in Beautiful Lengths, The Christmas Heart Tree, Relay for Life, Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets.

For more information, call 704-633-2841 or visit their website www.salisburycatholic.org. Sacred Heart offers daily school tours and prospective family conferences. Just call to make an appointment. Sacred Heart has open enrollment and offers financial assistance to families in need. They also participate in the N.C. Opportunity Scholarship and N.C. Child Care Subsidy Programs.