Academy students visit a different country during one of the school semesters, living with a host family and attending classes with their exchange partner.  Students have the opportunity to experience a Sacred Heart education from a different perspective, discover the local customs and traditions of the region in which they are travelling.  Additionally, they have opportunities to tour and explore the surrounding region and culture, based on the host family's availability.  The ASH student and family then host the same student for the same approximate time in their home and on campus.

This is an optional program that is highly encouraged, with some students electing to exchange to several different schools during their time at the Academy.

In order to qualify for exchange, students must be in good academic and social standing, obtain the recommendations of their teachers, Dean, and Division Head.  The exchange coordinators process the paperwork, advice on travel arrangements, legal forms, and support the participating students and their families during all phases of the exchange, from connecting to navigating the human and cultural experience.

Typically, exchanges last from 2-4 weeks, but the length is flexible.  The visiting part of the exchange must happen while the sister school is in session.  Students often do the visiting part around school breaks, adding one or two weeks to the break.  Students who choose to exchange with our sister schools in Oceania and Asia will use the summer months.

The exchange program is free of charge.  Families are responsible for arranging and paying for all expenses of their daughter.  Typically, the host school will cover all of the expenses that occur during the day and on any school-related activities, such as trips, dances, books, etc.  No school fees or tuition need to be paid in the process.

The host family offers room and board, and has the same expectations as for their own daughter while living in the home.  The host family is responsible for transportation to and from the airport, upon arrival and departure.  The host family will also work with the school on transportation to and from school each day as well as the lunch program, or occasionally athletic activities or extracurricular activities after school.  Occasionally, families will offer sightseeing and short trips, but this is not a requirement.

The Network of Sacred Heart Schools gather 150 schools in 40 different countries, as well as 25 schools located in the United States and Canada.  Not that not all schools are involved in exchanged.

Learn more about the Network of Sacred Heart Schools and the International Society of the Sacred Heart.

Outside the US, we have established relationships with the following Sacred Heart schools:

• Baradene College of the Sacred Heart, Auckland, New Zealand

• Istituto Sacro Cuore Trinità dei Mont, Rome, Italy

• La Perverie Sacré-Coeur, Nantes, France

• Mount Anville Secondary School Dublin, Ireland

• Sacre Coeur Melbourne, Australia

• Sacré Coeur de la Perverie, Nantes, France

• Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Chamartin, Madrid, Spain

• Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Mexico CDMX, Mexico

• Sagrat Cor Sarria, Barcelona, Spain

• Stuartholme Brisbane, Australia

• Sacred Heart High School for Girls, New Taipei City, Taiwan

• Sacre Cœur Wien, Austria

• Sacré Coeur, Melbourne, Australia

• Ecole du Sacré-Cœur de Lindthout, Bruxelles, Belgium

• Fuji Sacred Heart School (Shizuoka,  Susono prefecture) Japan

• Sacred Heart Girls' High School, Seoul, Seoul Korea

• Sacred Heart School of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Students have other opportunities to find unity in the shared mission that binds the Sacred Heart community across the world: online programs offer ASH and BA students the opportunity to participate in curricular courses, open to Sacred Heart students nationwide/worldwide, that foster a global mindset.

1. Sacred Heart Global Academy - Course Offerings This program offers both summer and semester-long online courses taught by Forest Ridge and Woodlands faculty members and include students from several Sacred Heart schools.

2. Sacred Heart Global Academy - Solidarity and Sustainability:a Network Dialoque  Network-based program that seeks to bring students together monthly to dialogue about global issues centered around equity, open communication, and the building of community. Students are expected to apply and develop better dialogue skills in student-centered sessions as well as a greater understanding of the culture of Network schools across North America while fostering stronger relationships between their schools. This program is a great fit for students in grades 10, 11, and 12 who aspire to be compassionate leaders and responsible global citizens.

3. SACRED HEART LIVE (Language and International Virtual Exchange) is a Network global exchange program with Sacred Heart schools across the globe that enables participants to engage, in small groups, with a global network of peers on a variety of topics in monthly meetings from across the international Sacred Heart community. At times, various groups will be organized based on the students’ international language of study and will learn about practices and products familiar in everyday life. Students will develop their global mindset by learning more about their peers’ cultures and strengthen their international language skills. This program for students of all grade levels and free of charge.