Help us, O God, to enter into the secret of childhood, so that we may know, love and serve the child in accordance with the laws of Thy Justice and following Thy holy will. Amen. A Teacher’s Prayer by Maria Montessori, Absorbent Mind

Valley of the Sacred Heart Academy was given approval and recognized by the Sacramento Diocese in September 2017 as a new Independent Catholic School in the diocese of Sacramento. Valley of the Sacred Heart is working to open a full-time Catholic Montessori program fall of 2018 for children ages 4-6 years old. If you are interested in applying, please email csimpson@vshpes.com for more information or call 530-574-0804.

Why a Montessori Approach

Dr. Maria Montessori, a devout Catholic and an Italian physician, is best known for the Montessori Method of education. Her academic training enabled her to bring scientific methodology to the research of children. She carefully watched and listened to children, making copious notes on her observations, and then designed materials based on those observations in order to enhance children’s learning.

Valley of the Sacred Heart has seen the fruits of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori approach to faith formation. We believe that combining the Montessori method and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd would be the ideal educational approach to serving the whole child – body, mind and soul.

Vision

Valley of the Sacred Heart Academy is seeking to expand to a full-time program serving children ages 3-12 with a Montessori approach. The program will start with one class of children TK/K and 1st grade (children must be 5 by December 1 of that academic year), expanding each consecutive year. Once children reach 7th grade, they will transition to a more traditional classroom setting with a classical approach to education, preparing them for Chesterton Academy.