Sacred Heart Academy named one of the top classical schools in the nation

The Sacred Heart Academy logo next to a badge from the Classical Learning Test.

Sacred Heart Academy in Grand Rapids has ranked (#17) among the nation’s top performing schools on the Classic Learning Test (CLT) for the second consecutive year.

“We are overjoyed to see that our students did so well again this year,” said Sean Maltbie, headmaster of Sacred Heart Academy. “We don’t ‘teach to the test’ at Sacred Heart. These scores are an organic result of the faith-filled character and work ethic of our students. This is something that our students, their parents, and the Sacred Heart faculty have worked hard to develop.”

The CLT is an annual college entrance exam for high school students that competes with the ACT and SAT. It tests grammar, literary comprehension, and mathematical and logical reasoning. Many classical K-12 schools have switched to the CLT as the preferred assessment for college readiness as it tests a broader field of knowledge that aligns with the traditional topics of study in a classical education. Since 2016, more than 1,200 schools have used the CLT Suite of Assessments. This past academic year, the high school students at Sacred Heart Academy had an average CLT score among the top 25 schools in the nation. Only eight schools in the country have made this list for two consecutive years.

“Sacred Heart is a Catholic school that believes classical education is uniquely suited for the human mind and nourishing for the soul,” said Zach Good, dean of faculty and curriculum. “All students have an innate attraction to truth, beauty and the good. That is the essence of a classical education. Our parents and faculty understand this fact and our curriculum reflects it.”

Students who take the CLT10 in 10th grade are eligible for a $2,500 scholarship to a CLT partner college. In addition, more than 100 colleges have tied scholarship dollars directly to CLT scores.

Learn more about Sacred Heart Academy at www.sacredheartacademygr.org

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Related: Grand Rapid Business Journal features Sacred Heart Academy's CLT results

About Sacred Heart Academy

Sacred Heart Academy is a private school that has served Catholic families on the west side of Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1905. In 2013 the school re-founded as a classical, Catholic academy focused on living the sacraments daily and building a curriculum that reflects a love of truth, goodness, beauty. The school is an apostolate of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish dedicated to assisting families, forming Catholics, and cultivating culture.

About Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are an alliance of 31 vibrant learning communities (26 elementary and five high schools) serving more than 6,340 preschool through 12th grade students throughout West Michigan. Our schools inspire young people to grow in Catholic faith and grace, achieve more in school and life, develop creativity and character, and feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts. We partner with parents to awaken the whole child to a world of light and life — that grows better and brighter when children reach their potential.