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About Us

 
 
ABOUT JOSEPHINUM

A legacy of faith.
A future of possibility.

 

Founded in 1890, Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart is an all-girls college preparatory school rooted in the Catholic faith and dedicated to empowering young women to use their creativity, unique perspectives, and voices to bring about change.

 
Chicago · Since 1890
OUR STORY
1890
Founded in Chicago

A school with history — and a future worth shaping.

 

Founded in 1890 by the Sisters of Christian Charity, Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart is an all-girls college preparatory school rooted in the Catholic faith.

Josephinum is dedicated to empowering young women to use their creativity, unique perspectives, and voices to bring about change in an ever-evolving world.

In 2011, Josephinum Academy became a full member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, becoming Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart.

OUR SACRED HEART IDENTITY

Known. Cared For. Called to make a difference.

 

Josephinum Academy is part of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools — 25 schools across the United States and Canada — sharing nearly 200 years of Christian education values founded by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat.

Sacred Heart schools believe that every child has a unique place in the world and deserves to be known and loved.

 
SACRED HEART NETWORK
25

Schools across the United States & Canada

Together, Sacred Heart schools share a common educational tradition and commitment to forming young people of faith, intellect, and purpose.

THE SACRED HEART GOALS

An education rooted in purpose.

01
Personal & Active Faith in God
Students are encouraged to develop a deep and personal relationship with God and recognize the presence of faith in their everyday lives.
02
Deep Respect for Intellectual Values
Students pursue intellectual excellence, curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
03
Social Awareness Which Impels to Action
Students develop an awareness of the needs of others and are inspired to respond through service, advocacy, and action.
04
Building of Community as a Christian Value
Students build relationships grounded in respect, belonging, joy, and compassion.
05
Personal Growth in an Atmosphere of Wise Freedom
Students are encouraged to grow into confident, thoughtful, courageous young women who understand their responsibility and freedom to lead.
OUR MISSION

A mission that moves us.

 
Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic high school that ensures access to a college preparatory education for young women of all races, religious beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds in the Chicagoland area.

Josephinum empowers students to use their creativity, unique perspectives, and voices as confident, courageous, and compassionate leaders to bring about change in the ever-evolving world.

OUR VISION

Jo
Girls
without
limits.

Josephinum Academy seeks to build a community of learning and development for high school girls through rigorous academic programs inclusive of empowering social-emotional support from highly qualified faculty and staff.

This culture creates an environment where students can explore and develop an understanding of their own identity, ignite an interest in learning, and appreciate with compassion their role in the world.

Every student is known and appreciated.
OUR VALUES

Faith.
Intellect.
Compassion.

These values shape the Josephinum experience — from the classroom to the community and beyond.

Our students are encouraged to develop their voices, understand their place in the world, and become confident, courageous, and compassionate leaders.

Faith
Rooted in the Catholic faith and Sacred Heart tradition.
Intellect
Encouraging curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.
Compassion
Responding to others with empathy, service, and care.
Courage
Finding the confidence to use her voice and lead with creativity.
Community
Creating an environment of joy, acceptance, belonging, and support.
Purpose
Using her gifts and voice to bring about meaningful change.
PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

Who will she become?

 

The Portrait of a Graduate reflects the qualities and characteristics Josephinum hopes every student will develop through her education. It guides our academic, social-emotional, and co-curricular programming, ensuring that each young woman has opportunities to grow as a person of faith, intellect, compassion, and purpose.

At The Jo, education is about more than what a student knows when she graduates.

It is about who she becomes — a reflective, critical-thinking, risk-taking, culturally conscious, justice-oriented, and globally minded young woman prepared to lead with purpose.

Reflective
Critical Thinker
Risk-Taker
Culturally Conscious
Justice Oriented
Globally Minded
SACRED HEART LEGACY
Saint Madeleine
Sophie Barat
“What is the good of teaching various subjects, of wasting time in learning them, if at the same time we cannot teach children the words of life and touch their hearts and their consciences?”
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE JO

A few things families often ask.

What makes Josephinum different from other high schools?
Josephinum combines an all-girls college preparatory education with the Catholic faith and Sacred Heart tradition. Students are known individually, encouraged to use their voices, and given opportunities to grow academically, personally, and spiritually in a supportive community.
What do families and students say about Josephinum?
Want to hear directly from students, families, and members of the Josephinum community? Explore reviews and ratings from the Josephinum community on Niche.
READ JOSEPHINUM REVIEWS ON NICHE
What kind of student thrives at The Jo?
There is no single “Josephinum girl.” Our students are curious, creative, thoughtful, courageous, and compassionate. They come from different backgrounds and bring their own perspectives, interests, talents, and dreams to our community.
THIS IS THE JO

Shaping young women to lead with purpose.

For more than a century, Josephinum has believed in the extraordinary potential of young women. Today, that legacy continues through faith, intellect, compassion, and a community that believes every girl can make a difference.

EXPERIENCE JOSEPHINUM
Shaping young women to lead with purpose.
Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart · Chicago, Illinois