We are located in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, approximately twenty minutes north of the city of Lafayette.  Grand Coteau is a 3.5 hour drive from Houston, Texas, and a 2 hour drive from New Orleans, Louisiana.  You will fly into the airport in Lafayette, Louisiana (LFT), a 20-minute drive from Sacred Heart.  A staff member from Sacred Heart will pick you up at this airport.

When should i plan to arrive?

Our international students should plan to arrive by noon on Saturday, August 10, 2024, and they will attend the New Student Orientation on August 12, 2024.  Upon arrival, we will assist you with moving into the dorm and acclimate you to the school and surrounding area.  Classes begin on August 13, 2024.

whom should i contact with my travel information?

If you are flying, please send flight arrival information to Nikki Verzwyvelt, Director of Moreau Hall.  Ms. Fontenot will organize airport pick-up arrangement.  Pick-ups in airports other than LFT are available for an extra charge (see transportation policy).  If your parents are bringing you to school, you should notify the staff so that they are available to welcome you on you day/time of arrival at Moreau Hall.

who will meet me at the airport?

If you are flying along, a residential staff member will meet you at the airport in Lafayette, Louisiana (LFT).  We will transport you to Sacred Heart, allow you to settle in, and make sure that you have what you need to be prepared for the start of the new school year.  Before leaving your home, you will receive contact information for the staff member who will meet you at the airport, as well as emergency back-up contact information.  Your pick-up person at the airport will have a sign with your name and the school's name to help you identify her.

accommodations

The residents live on the second floor of the Upper School building.  The bedrooms accommodate two to three students per room.  In each room, one finds:

• loft beds or twin-size beds, 5 drawer dressers, and a shared walk-in closer
• a vanity/sink/mirror to be shared by the roommates
• 2 dorm rooms share a shower

The 4 common areas feature a large flat screen television, DVD players, Wii, exercise equipment, and games.  there is a quiet room and a snack room.  Washing machines and dryers are available for the residents to do their laundry.

Orientation

Before classes begin, Sacred Heart will facilitate an orientation for you to get settled into Moreau Hall, become acquainted with the surrounding area, and become familiar with what to expect from the U.S. culture and your day-to-day life at school.  This introduction is designed to help you get the best experience possible while living in the U.S. and attending Sacred Heart.

• Campus Orientation
• Origins and history of the Academy in Grand Coteau, intro to the community
• Essence of a Sacred Heart education
• Practical Information
  • Getting to know the surrounding areas
  • Obtaining cell phones (if needed)
  • Getting to know the staff and other students
  • Survey of students' interests
  • Shopping for school supplies and uniforms
• Details on the academic calendar and schedule
• Details on the academic program, college expectations, and transcripts
• Introduction to Table PC and various computer programs

what to bring

The What to Bring list is emailed to residents as part of the matriculation packet.

The staff at Moreau Hall will ensure that your needs, including meals, furniture, and toiletries, and access to transportation, are met.  You will be responsible for the cost of incidental supplies, clothing, and other shopping items.

in the classroom

Small class sizes allow for a variety of teaching methodologies to be used within classes in our Upper School.  Many teachers utilize the Socratic Method for instruction, creating an atmosphere where teachers and students engage in conversation regarding the material presented.  Students are expected to actively engage in classroom discussions, as possible, but with an understanding of international students' initial difficulty with the English language.  Project-based learning and traditional lectures are also methods of teaching employed by the faculty.  Generally, classes are characterized as being open and lively as students and teachers actively pursue learning.  The teacher is perceived more as a guide, a mentor, to students rather than the source of information.

Meet the Moreau Hall family

Faculty & Staff

Below, you will find a list of key people on campus.  When you arrive, we will introduce you to everyone and show you where their offices are located.

Dr. Yvonne Adler, Head of School

Ms. Nikki Verzwyvelt, Director of Moreau Hall

Ms. Angela Hymel, Division Head

Ms. Lauren LaFosse, Dean of Students

Ms. Rebecca Priour, Director of Admissions

Ms. Brett Reaux, Counselor

Ms. Elizabeth Hansen, College Counselor

Ms. Lindsey Myers, RN, School Nurse

Ms. Tressa Miller, Director of Finance

 

Class schedule  

Mrs. Angela Hymel, Division Head, will meet individually with each student to create a schedule for the year, including the student's preferences as well as the graduation requirements.

 

Counseling services

The counseling program is an integral part of the total educational process at ASH.  Our counselor provides weekly individual counseling every week to any student in need of support.  An advocate for every student, she utilizes a proactive approach so that our students know how to handle situations that may arise.  Our residents have access to the counselor after school hours during an extreme crisis.  A portal enable students to confidentially schedule appointments.  Additionally, parents, teachers, and students have access to a well-organized display of mental health resources and activities through Google Classroom.

 

Meet our Head of school

Dr. Yvonne Adler, Head of School holds a master's degree from Louisiana State University, a Master's Degree plus 30 hours, including coursework from Tulane University in Supervision and Administration, and a Doctoral Degree from the University of New Orleans. In addition to her academic, awards, and publications, Dr. Adler has also earned recognition by the State of Louisiana in the field of public education; she has been appointed by the Louisiana Department of Education to advisory councils and task forces devoted to reforms in special education, and she served as Chairman of the State Special Education Advisory Council from 1998-2006. Prior to joining the Academy in Grand Coteau, Dr. Adler served as the Upper School Division Head at our sister school, the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans (Rosary).  Dr. Adler's immersion in the Mission of Sacred Heart education is evident in her membership on numerous Sacred Heart Commission on Goals (SHCOG) Visiting Committees and Boards of Trustees.

 

College counseling

The Upper School college counselor meets with all students individually and in groups to discuss the college selection and application process.  College planning activities include discussions on college entrance testing, choosing a college major, scholarships, and financial aid.  Additionally, the Upper School uses the online program, Naviance, used by students to obtain information about colleges, as well as track the application process. The counselor uses this program to communicate information to students as well as track data during the college application process.

The Academy of the Sacred Heart is located in Grand Coteau, a short drive from Lafayette, the third largest city in Louisiana and cultural center of Louisiana's Acadian heritage.  South Louisiana is indeed a place with rich history, rooted in French, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures.  These diverse cultures come together to create art and architecture, music and dance, food and celebrations, and a unique "joie de vivre."

Grand Coteau

Grand Coteau is a magnet for photographers and architecture lovers!  It has received the designation of historical district, as it is one of the earliest settlements in Southwest Louisiana and features some beautiful, historic structures.  Its rural charm plays an important role in the Academy's location and history.  Main Street currently features coffee shops, restaurants, antique stores, a bakery, etc.

Acadiana

Acadiana, or the Heart of Acadiana, the official name given to the French Louisiana region that is home to a large Francophone population.  Many are of Acadian descent and Louisiana creoles, as well as other populations coming from the Caribbean, Spain, and Germany.  Distinctive because of its cuisine (crawfish, boudin, jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, seafood, etc.) and the wide variety of music festivals that pack nearly every weekend in the Spring and Fall.

Lafayette

Lafayette has a thriving arts community, consisting of theatre, visual arts, and music.  Southern Living  magazine, the ultimate insider's guide to Southern culture, recipes, travel, and events, has referred to Lafayette as "The Tastiest Town in the South." Lafayette is also known as the home of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a coeducational, public research university.  It has the largest enrollment within the nine University of Louisiana System and has the second largest enrollment in the State of Louisiana.  Sacred Heart is located 20 minutes from the Atchafalaya Basin, a unique geographical area rich in beauty and wildlife and areas that have yet to be explored.  In the course of the year, students visit other areas of Louisiana of historical and cultural significance, such as New Orleans.

New orleans

New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana and one of the principal cities of the South.  Because it was built on a great turn of the Mississippi River, is it known as the Crescent City.  The population of New Orleans, including Anglos, French, Blacks, Italians, Irish, Spanish, and Cubans, reflects a cosmopolitan makeup.  the pot of New Orleans is one of the world's largest and ranks first in the United States in tonnage handled.  The most important annual tourist event is Mardi Gras, which is celebrated the week before the start of Lent.  The Superdome, an enclosed sports stadium, attracts major sporting events and is an element in achieving the city's position as a leading convention center.  New Orleans is noted for its fine restaurants, for its Dixieland jazz, and for its numerous cultural and educational facilities.  Tulane (1829), Dillard (1869), and Loyola (1949) universities are major institutions of higher learning.  The French Quarter is the site of the original city and contains many of the historic and architecturally significant buildings for which New Orleans is famous.

Weather

Weather in South Louisiana can be very warm and humid in the summer, early fall, and spring.  It will be somewhat cooler from December through February.  Our warmest temperatures can be 90 degrees Fahrenheit.  Occasionally, cold snaps and freezes may occur, in some cases reaching very low temperatures.  We do get plenty of rain and we recommend that you bring or purchase a raincoat or jacket.  On average, we see four to five inches of rain per month.  We rarely see snow, although a few snowflakes have fallen on occasion.  It is best to bring clothing that can be layered, more layers in cold weather and fewer layers in warm weather.

Developing a sense of community is a valuable goal in the Academy of the Sacred Heart Upper School.

Houses

New students are quickly integrated into the community with a "sorting" ceremony, placing each new member of the community into one of four school "Houses" during the first week of school.  Throughout her years at Sacred Heart, a student will belong to this House, participating in periodic fun competitions with each year culminating in a House Championship.

Spirit Week

In early September, students work closely with members of their class in Spirit Week projects and performances to showcase class spirit for the rest of the Sacred Heart community.

Clubs

Students can also participate in many different clubs and organizations on campus, including the Campus Ministry Team, the Social Justice Club, Couteau Courier. Clubs change every year, depending on student interest.  Other examples of clubs include: the Fashion Society, the Environmental Club, the Musicians Alliance, Cooking/Home Economics Club, School Spirit Club, FIAT (Faith in All Things), Poetry, among others.  Students are also encouraged to participate in Quiz Bowl, student government, and various athletic team opportunities.

We recommend that you have a credit card for emergency and incidental expenses.  We encourage you to speak with a representative in your home country about the best credit card plan for international travel.  You should also have some cash on hand to cover incidental expenses for the beginning of your stay.  This can also be wired or brought to the Business Office at the beginning of the school year.

contact with financial questions

Mrs. Tressa Miller, Director of Finance and Operations, 337.662.7060

All meals are provided to the residents.

Breakfast

Continental breakfast, coffee, milk, and juice will be served in Moreau Hall each morning.  

Lunch

Residents will participate in the Lunch Box Live school lunch program.  They will have the ability to order lunch from a choice of 1-3 restaurants each day and meals will be delivered to the Dining Hall.  Residents will eat lunch alongside their day student peers.

Dinner

Healthy and nutritious dinners will be enjoyed together in Moreau Hall as a group.  This is a wonderful time to reconnect and share the details of the day, bulding friendships and our Moreau Hall family.

monday - friday

7:00 AM                        Wake-up, dress for school

7:00 AM - 7:30 AM      Breakfast in the Goûter Room

7:25 AM - 7:40 AM      Clean rooms, morning medications dispensed

7:45 AM                         Residents leave for school

7:55 AM - 3:15 PM        School Hours

3:00 PM                         Dismissal bell rings, Goûter Room opens for snacks

3:00 PM - 5:15 PM        Outing/errand/s activities

5:15 PM - 5:25 PM         Study preparation and dinner preparation

5:45 PM                          Dinner

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM       Supervised Study (Students who have grades of 85/B or                                                     above earn independent study)

8:00 PM                          Nighttime medications dispensed

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM        Free time

9:00 PM                           Quiet time in the room

9:30 PM                           Lights out

friday evening

5:45 PM                           Dinner

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM        No study

6:30 PM - 9:00 PM         Free time / possible outing 

saturday - sunday

We see weekends as a time to re-center, to recharge, and to build community.  Mealtimes are more flexible to allow for more resting and relaxing time.  On Saturdays, the residents enjoy an activity day which consists of outings in the community.  Local opportunities are numerous: ice-skating, shopping, movies, Sacred Heart dances, theatre performances, art museums, visiting national forests and zoos, university athletic events, and festivals that celebrate Louisiana culture.  On Saturday night, the residents usually enjoy an evening out at a local restaurant or a local venue.  On Sunday morning, the residents attend Mass.  The afternoon is usually devoted to resting, cleaning up, and doing homework.  IN the late afternoon, residents cook a Sunday dinner that they enjoy as a family meal.  Study Hall usually follows dinner.  Note that dispense of medication is consistent throughout the weekend.

 

Moreau Hall occasionally takes trips out of town for the weekend (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Florida beaches).  Transportation for the residents is either by van or bus.

Academics / English Language Support for non-native speakers 

Sacred Heart provides a supportive environment that addresses individual needs and allows students to develop the cultural understanding and performance skills necessary to function appropriately and successfully in both academic and social situations. All international students submit a TOEFL score as part of their application.  If their TOEFL score is between 40 – 79 they are place in the ESL program.  Upon arrival at Sacred Heart, all international students are given an assessment to measure their verbal and written English proficiency.*  

Students are given an assessment to measure their listening, speaking, reading and writing proficiency in English. Based on their diagnostic results, international students are enrolled in English (ESL) for one period. International students take six additional classes with U.S. students. These classes apply toward graduation from Sacred Heart. After a student’s first year at Sacred Heart, placement in a traditional English course is determined by the student’s proficiency* in the English language.  Once a student scores an 80 on the TOEFL test, a common minimum score required by selective U.S. colleges and universities for admission, they join the ELA program. All placement decisions require the approval of the division head. 

Ms. Hélène Châtelain de Pronville is the ESL instructor at Sacred Heart. Ms. Châtelain de Pronville received a Master’s degree from the University of Texas and has been at Sacred Heart since 2007.  

English basics classes are designed to enable our International students to access mainstream curriculum and to achieve their personal best in the school setting. The objectives are: 

• To make purposeful choices regarding English grammatical structures.

• To read and analyze American novels.

• To write academic essays that skillfully analyze, compare/contrast, or explain literature, articles, etc.

• To increase academic/non-academic verbal communication skills.

Students will be able to refine their language skills through various assignments:

• essays and research papers, frequent journal writing and short writing assignments

• verbally expressing/refuting/qualifying of opinions during small or large group discussions

• written and oral communicative grammar activities and assignments

The program is a standards-based curriculum which integrates different approaches. Indeed, the course is flexible and based on the needs of the learners in the program. Students are provided with instructional materials that are age and level appropriate. Learners receive direct instruction using realia, vocabulary, concrete based materials, background instruction, graphic organizers, practice, and other appropriate strategies.  

*English proficiency is defined as the student’s ability to effectively listen, speak, read, write, and analyze information in the English language as determined through an assessment by the staff at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.