It's back to school for Woodlands Academy students

The start of the 2019-20 school year at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart Tuesday, Aug. 27, combined a candlelight service blessing its newest students with the fun of “Seniors Rule Day” celebrations both inside and outside the high school’s Lake Forest campus.

Head of School Meg Steele officially welcomed freshmen – members of the Class of 2023 – to their new home at Woodlands. “You are becoming part of a school that was founded near downtown Chicago on Taylor Street in 1858 and then moved to Lake Forest in 1904. In addition, you are joining a tradition of Sacred Heart education that traces its roots back to France in 1800,” she said. “We have 24 Sacred Heart schools in the United States and Canada and more than 150 schools around the world. As a member of this Sacred Heart community, you are personally welcome to visit in every one of these schools. On behalf of the thousands of members of the international Sacred Heart community, I am deeply honored to welcome you to Woodlands Academy.”

During the service in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart each freshman – and transfer student – was called by name and given a candle, which she lit from a candle burning on the altar. This year’s new students then positioned themselves behind the altar prior to exiting the chapel in pairs as “Christ, Be Our Light” was sung. Faculty and staff members also were officially commissioned during this traditional service held on the first day of each school year. Each member of the adult community was called by name and recognized by the student body.

All of this against the backdrop of hallways that had been decorated by celebratory members of the senior class reflecting a theme of “2 Infinity and Beyond.” Along with the traditional lining of hallways with red Solo cups (school colors are red and white) were balloons and other images depicting space travel and visitors from another planet.

Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic day-and-boarding college-preparatory school for young women of all faiths in grades nine through 12. Studies cited by the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools have shown that an all-girls educational environment empowers girls to participate more, excel in STEM, score higher on SAT tests, and become future scientists, doctors, engineers and inventors.

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Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It’s part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries. A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy’s identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. For more information about Woodlands Academy, please visit www.woodlandsacademy.org

Photo caption:

First Day_Seniors

Woodlands Academy seniors (L-R) Sarah Cullinane, of Glencoe; Annika Swanson, of Chicago; and Julia Podstolowicz, of Gurnee; were among classmates celebrating their newfound status Aug. 27, the first day of the 2019-20 school year.