A Sacred Heart Education
SACRED HEART PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS
The Society of the Sacred Heart has a long tradition marked by a distinctive spirit of developing the whole person. In this spirit we work to foster a balance in students, to include their intellectual, spiritual, physical and emotional well being.
We offer an international education in and towards faith. Studies are serious and foster reflection and thought, while at the same time, providing for the development of the creative and the aesthetic. Our students are always viewed as responsible citizens of the world who have worthy contributions to offer society. Our students are encouraged to share with others, to adopt an outlook which respects the needs of others and inculcates service as a natural part of life.
As a student, you are encouraged to have a critical and reflective view of the values of society. We also seek to foster and sharpen an awareness of the problems of injustice and provide opportunities for effective action where possible.
You will experience diversity, which is designed to develop an understanding and appreciation of various faiths, cultures and traditions of the world, and especially the heritage of Japan itself.
It is this philosophy in which our goals are based.
Our Goals, which are rooted in our philosophy, are to provide an education based on the following Five Goals:
High Quality Learning and Teaching
Steeped in 115 years of international education in Tokyo, ISSH students have the finest of academic programs led by outstanding educators from 20+ countries who embrace Sacred Heart’s clear and enduring mission. ISSH graduates of ‘24 proudly upheld the tradition of outperforming their counterparts across the globe as their AP Exams results earned them internationally respected and accepted university credits before even beginning their university careers. They were accepted to Harvard, Cambridge, Yale, McGill, Notre Dame, Keio, University of Tokyo and U. of Toronto, and so many more! The 4 shifts protocol is the focus of our definition of high quality learning and teaching so we frame our work around deep learning and thinking, student agency and personalization, innovation and authentic work.
Relational Leadership - Focus on Well-being and Mental Health
The founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Madeleine Sophie Barat (canonized in 1925) had a relational leadership style that kept the global family of schools unified even as each embraced its local culture and reality. During her lifetime (1779-1865) and under her leadership, over 100 schools were founded on four continents. Trusting relationships were the "intranet" of her day; they provided courage in the face of great risks. Out of love for our students, we continue to take risks and go many extra miles. Child protection and well-being practices are embedded in our curricular and extracurricular programs. Students are valued and loved. They gain knowledge and skills to empower resilience, self-acceptance, and empathy so that they can realize their unique abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, contribute to the community, and realize they came into the world loved and are to be loving.
An International School within a Global Family
The heart and soul of ISSH is shared with and similarly articulated by five other Sacred Heart schools in Japan and 100+ schools across the globe. At ISSH, 20% of the faculty and staff are alums of ISSH or another Sacred Heart school. Not only a testament to the strength of the program, this provides a solid foundation for change. “Courage and Confidence” have been the hallmarks of Sacred Heart women since the Society of the Sacred Heart was founded in France in 1800. After expanding to the United States in 1818 the Society/Schools spread rapidly across the world. In 1908 the first school was opened in Asia - it is our school! Today, our international mindedness focuses on intercultural learning, communication and digital citizenship, and global citizenship.
Accreditation and Vision
The International School of the Sacred Heart is accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the prestigious Council of International Schools (CIS). Based in the Netherlands, CIS is the trusted gold-standard for international schools.
Growing with Courage and Confidence