SALISBURY — Sacred Heart Catholic School begins classes on Wednesday, Aug. 23, with a full school day — from 7:55 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For 135 years, Sacred Heart Catholic School has educated students mainly from Rowan, but also from Davidson, Iredell and Cabarrus counties. Sacred Heart will host parent orientations on Monday, Aug. 21, at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and student classroom visitations on Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m.

The school is open to all children (kindergarten through eighth grades) and is composed of many different nationalities and Christian affiliations. The school campus is located at 385 Lumen Christi Lane in Salisbury with new educational facilities on its 100-acre campus. The on-site after school care program — from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily — offers homework tutoring for students of all ages.

Sacred Heart Catholic School is fully district accredited by AdvancED of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Diocese of Charlotte. It is also North Carolina State Certified by the Department of Non-Public Education, and offers an advanced curriculum in language arts, math, science, social studies and computer technology. Other subjects taught include religion, Spanish, creative writing, handwriting, art, music appreciation, choir and daily physical education.

Additional academic challenges include: math enrichment, Drop Everything and Read, Duke TIP, writing contests, a geography bee, Book It reading, an annual spelling bee, the N.C. State Science and Engineering Fair, Lego Robotics, 4-H Master Gardening and a chess club. Sacred Heart also offers comprehensive tutoring in math, reading and Title I.

“We have spent all summer preparing for an outstanding year in academics,” new Principal Tyler Kulp said. “With new updated science and social studies curriculums, revised math and language arts standards and our commitment to integrated learning through S.T.R.E.A.M., we are ready. Sacred Heart has always had a strong commitment to excellence in academics — and, well, we just took it up another notch.”

Kulp and his faculty are ecstatic about the school’s science, technology, religion, engineering, agriculture/arts and mathematics (S.T.R.E.A.M.) programming which continues to grow and engage students.

“I am in love with our new curriculums that integrate science, social studies, technology and agriculture into normal classroom lessons of math and language arts. Of course, our faith is at the forefront of all our learning. Our campus — with over 100 acres with nature trails, outdoor classrooms, master and sensory gardens and a creek full of water life — offers so much in the way of outside experiences. I taught math camp this summer using trees to teach Pi and all kinds of nature to teach symmetry,” Kulp said.

The Rev. John Eckert could not be more pleased with the dedication of his school staff.

“I am very proud of our academic record, but there is much more to raising children — they need to be nurtured spiritually, socially, physically and emotionally in order to have full adult lives. They also need to understand their role in helping one another and the importance of service. We educate the ‘whole’ child at SHCS,” he said.

Sacred Heart has many traditions and activities that foster student growth including: A morning assembly with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, weekly Mass, a Veterans Day program and breakfast, an All Saints Day parade, the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics, an American Red Cross Community Blood Drive, parish food bank collections, the May crowning, the annual Christmas program, the President’s Fitness Challenge, Relay for Life, missions to Ghana and Jamaica, Prayer Pals at Genesis Eldercare, the Arc Festival of Trees, Rowan Helping Ministries food drives and Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths.

Athletics are also an integral part of Sacred Heart and include junior varsity (grades five and six) and varsity teams (grades seven and eight). Sacred Heart offers 17 different teams including soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cheerleading, golf, softball, cross country and track and field. Track and field is open to grades one through eight. The school also offers elementary soccer, basketball and cheerleading clinics throughout the school year.

For more information, call 704-633-2841 or visit the school website at www.salisburycatholic.org. Sacred Heart offers daily school tours and prospective family conferences. Sacred Heart has open enrollment and offers financial assistance to families in need. It also participates in the N.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. Sacred Heart is enrolling for the 2017-2018 school year.