Louisville, Kentucky, September 28, 2026 - Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) is recognized as the No. 1 ranked Best All-Girls High School in Kentucky for the third consecutive year according to Niche.com's 2027 Best Schools and Districts in America annual rankings. In addition, Sacred Heart Academy ranked as the top all-girls high school on Niche’s 2027 Best Catholic High Schools in Kentucky and Best High Schools for Athletes in Kentucky lists. Sacred Heart is also ranked as the #2 Girls' School in the Nation for Athletics by MaxPreps annual high school athletic rankings.
Sacred Heart Academy’s exceptionally strong showing in Niche’s 2027 Best Schools and Districts rankings reflects various analyzed factors, including teacher dedication, academic performance and programs, extracurricular opportunities, facilities, and athletic participation and success. These rankings are derived from a combination of user input – ratings from current students, alumni, parents, and teachers – school-reported statistics, and quantitative data from sources such as the U.S. Department of Education.
“At Sacred Heart Academy, our mission to inspire young women to become compassionate, globally minded leaders is rooted in our Catholic, Ursuline Core Values of reverence, service, leadership, and community,” said Dr. Karen McNay, President, Sacred Heart Schools. “We are cultivating an environment where every student can grow as a leader, succeed academically, pursue extracurricular interests, and give back to their community to make a positive impact."
Sacred Heart Academy is transforming for the future with new, modern facilities for students designed to inspire teamwork and connection. Sacred Heart Academy's 35,000 square-foot modernization and expansion that's underway includes a state-of-the-art dining hall, outdoor patio, student-run coffee shop and café, and welcoming entrance and conference center. In addition, the project includes a new Student Life Hub with modern collaboration spaces and offices.
Sacred Heart Academy provides a holistic, Catholic, Ursuline, college preparatory, all-girls educational experience notable for its broad academic offerings, faith formation, leadership development, career exploration, national and global travel, strong academic and social-emotional supports, and robust athletics and arts programs, with highlights including:
• 48-Acre Ursuline Campus: All student facilities are on the 48-acre Ursuline Campus – academics, athletics, and the arts. Highlights include the 500-seat Ursuline Arts Center; Sacred Heart School for the Arts with dance, piano, guitar, and yoga and barre electives; and athletic facilities with turf and grass fields, five tennis courts, an 8-lane track, a softball field, two gyms, a weight room, and an athletic training room.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum: As an internationally recognized best practice, IB places SHA at the forefront of education, promotes continual teacher growth, and builds student success skills. SHA offers 56 IB, AP, and dual-credit courses that provide opportunities to earn college credit.
• Ursuline Innovation STEM Center: The Ursuline Innovation STEM Center is a 6,000 square-foot, cutting-edge facility – the first of its kind in the region – featuring the Ursuline Environmental Education Program. This program aligns with the Catholic, Ursuline faith and Laudato Si’, emphasizing reverence and love for all creation and the interconnectedness of all living things, including the planet. Additionally, the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center features the Ann Cowley Wells ’60, ’64 BSEE Design Lab, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Research Greenhouse, Teri Tafel ’72 and Keith Cullinan Environmental Classroom, and a Heartwood outdoor classroom. Students are exploring technologies such as 3D printers, robotics kits, and laser cutting machines, as well as engaging in hands-on learning in environmental science, engineering, and sustainability.
• Jean Frazier Leadership Institute: The Jean Frazier Leadership Institute equips Sacred Heart students with the tools to make positive change in the world. JFLI integrates leadership formation throughout the Sacred Heart experience from curriculum-embedded learning for all students, to optional experiential opportunities, to capstone programs where students apply their growth in meaningful, real-world settings, such as the Lucy Lee Helm ’75 Leadership Incubator.
• Katy Brown ’83 Endowed Global Hearts Travel Program: SHA’s Global Hearts international student travel program is guided by three pillars: Global Service and Advocacy, Education and Leadership, and Ursuline Heritage. The program offers life- changing travel experiences for students who may not otherwise have access due to financial needs.
• Nationally Ranked Athletic Program: SHA is proud to have earned 119 team state titles overall and nearly 300 individual state titles. Nearly 65 percent of SHA’s student body participates in athletics through 17 sports teams.
• Award-Winning Performing Arts and Visual Arts Programs: With three robust choirs and two full-scale musicals each year and opportunities for acting, stage support, lighting, set building, and more, there is a place for everyone to be involved. SHA’s choir travels and performs internationally regularly and its visual arts program features an entire wing of the school dedicated to every medium of visual arts.
Visit https://sha.shslou.org for more information about Sacred Heart Academy.
About Sacred Heart Schools
Sacred Heart Schools is a Catholic community sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville and guided by the Ursuline Core Values of Reverence, Service, Leadership, and Community. Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville in 1877, Sacred Heart Schools’ mission is to inspire diverse learners to become globally minded, compassionate leaders. Sacred Heart Schools provides Catholic, Ursuline, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cognia accredited education from early childhood through high school. It also offers community-wide after-school arts instruction and performances. Located on the 48-acre Ursuline campus in Louisville, Kentucky, Sacred Heart includes four member schools: Sacred Heart Academy (girls, grades 9-12), Sacred Heart Model School (co-ed, grades JK-8), Sacred Heart Preschool (coed, ages 1-4) and Sacred Heart School for the Arts (coed, all ages). Additionally, the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute supports the leadership development of all students.