School News

The Carrollton Cyclones varsity golf team has done it again! On October 28, our talented golfers successfully defended their District Championship title, finishing an impressive 50 points ahead of the second-place team.

A team of ten educational leaders from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart recently traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in the NAIS Institute on Leading Systems for Teacher Learning, a two-day intensive workshop focused on adaptive leadership and building coherent professional development systems centered on teacher growth.

The Carrollton varsity swimming and diving team made waves at the District Championship, capturing the title for the second consecutive year!

Carrollton’s Grade 8 students demonstrated their academic excellence and teamwork at the Columbus Academic Olympics, held on October 22.

This week, the Carrollton community was the recipient of a beautiful act of generosity from the Hudson family, who graciously provided dinner for every school employee and their family on Monday evening.

Elizabeth Xydas ’29 and Alexandra “Coco” Kolaya ’27 captured first place overall in the I-420 Class at the U.S. Youth Championships Regatta held this past weekend at Lauderdale Yacht Club.

Carrollton’s faculty and staff have once again shown their dedication to our mission by achieving 100% participation in this year’s Annual Fund!

The Carrollton community came together in full force for this year’s Dig Pink volleyball event, raising awareness and funds for the Side-Out Foundation, which supports metastatic breast cancer research.

Carrollton’s new College Counselor, Mrs. Michele Ahlers Richardson, brought a unique kind of inspiration to our swim team last Friday. Mrs. Ahlers, who earned a silver medal in swimming at the 1984 Olympics and later carried the Olympic Torch at the 1996 Games, shared her extraordinary journey with students.

This week, our Upper School community came together for Welcome Freshmen Week, a cherished tradition where juniors celebrate their freshmen sisters and guide them through the start of their high school journey.

Carrollton’s Visiting Author Series for the 2025-2026 school year began with an unforgettable visit from New York Times bestselling author Aaron Reynolds.

We are thrilled to officially welcome all of our students and their families to a new school year!

The first day of school for Grades 7-12 began with a beautiful Carrollton tradition: Convocation. Each year, the entire Upper School community - students, faculty, staff, and administration - comes together on the first day to recognize by name every single member of our community.

On Friday, August 8, Carrollton faculty and staff gathered for the Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ Institute for Teaching and Learning (JESI), a tradition that brings Sacred Heart educators together to share ideas, explore innovative pedagogies, and strengthen our mission as educators.

This week, Carrollton proudly welcomed our new faculty and staff during New Hire Orientation.

Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart proudly hosted a special Career Day for students participating in summer programming with our valued community partners, Breakthrough Miami and Honey Shine.

This summer, Carrollton students embarked on unforgettable immersion trips across Spain, France, and Taiwan, each journey offering a unique blend of cultural discovery, Sacred Heart connection, and meaningful experiences that will last a lifetime.

As we conclude another extraordinary academic year at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, our hearts are filled with immense gratitude.

Yesterday, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025, a class of young women who walked into the Church radiant in white dresses and red roses, full of wisdom, grace, and confidence, ready to leave their mark on the world.

This week, Carrollton’s Class of 2024 participated in Senior Seminar, a dynamic and enriching series of sessions designed to equip our seniors with practical tools, knowledge, and insights for the journey ahead.

As we approach the conclusion of the 2024–2025 academic year, it is with great enthusiasm and a deep sense of purpose that we share with our Spring 2025 update on Leading with Heart: 2024–2029, Carrollton’s Strategic Plan.

Although her official feast day falls on Sunday, May 25, today Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart came together as one united Sacred Heart community to joyfully celebrate the Feast of our foundress, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat.

We are thrilled to announce that Isabella Duarte-Crespo ’25 has been named a recipient of the prestigious Silver Knight Award in the Business category.

This week, the Carrollton community gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our inaugural fencing season—an effort made possible by Upper School student and passionate fencer, Adriana Ferreira de Melo '28, 18 passionate administration and staff volunteers, and a group of student-athletes who embraced the sport with courage and enthusiasm.

Carrollton’s student athletes made history at the 2025 FHSAA State Track & Field Championships with extraordinary performances that earned them state titles, personal bests, and well-deserved recognition in the Miami Herald.

Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart is proud to celebrate the extraordinary achievement of alumna Dr. Edda Fields-Black ’89, who has been awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in History for her groundbreaking book, COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid and Black Freedom during the Civil War.

Carrollton is proud to celebrate Nicolette Xydas ’25, who has officially signed to continue her athletic and academic journey as a collegiate diver at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Today, the Carrollton community gathered in unity with Sacred Heart schools across the United States and Canada to celebrate a momentous milestone—the 50th Anniversary Closing Prayer Service of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.

We are excited to share the incredible work of our students during the Mini Session: Creative Connections: Visual Storytelling and Broadcasting.

Carrollton’s Upper School students took center stage this weekend in a dazzling production of The Drowsy Chaperone, bringing music, laughter, and a touch of Broadway magic to the school community.

This past Saturday, March 29, the Class of 2026 gathered with their families, faculty, and senior sisters to celebrate a cherished Carrollton tradition—the Junior Ring Ceremony.

On March 26, we celebrate two outstanding Cyclones who have committed to playing at the collegiate level

On Sunday, March 23, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart welcomed grandparents and loved ones to campus for our Grandparents’ Day Mass, a cherished event that brings generations together in faith and community.

Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart is honored to announce the establishment of the Raphael Maria Bastian Memorial Scholarship, a prestigious new opportunity for rising Grade 12 students.

This past weekend, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart welcomed back alumnae from near and far for a special Alumnae Reunion Weekend filled with cherished memories, meaningful connections, and joyous celebrations.

For nearly a decade, the Carrollton Spirit Store has been more than just a place to find school merchandise—it has been a powerful force for generosity and community support.

Last week, Carrollton's Upper School students embarked on a transformative journey during Mini-Sessions, an annual program designed to provide experiential learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Last weekend, the Carrollton Dance Team made history at the prestigious Contest of Champions in Orlando, competing in only their second-ever competition.

On Monday, February 24, Carrollton hosted Upper School Career Day, an enriching event designed to inspire students by connecting them with accomplished alumnae from a variety of professional fields.

Today, during our Upper School assembly, we had the honor of recognizing Mr. Gabriel Alkon, our dedicated English teacher and National English Honor Society Chapter Advisor, as the recipient of the prestigious John L. Manear Advisor Award! 

Today, the Carrollton community was surprised with Congé 2025—our beloved Sacred Heart tradition of simple joy and sisterhood!

Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart remembers with gratitude and admiration the remarkable legacy of Patricia “Pat” O’Malley, a beloved coach and physical education teacher who shaped the lives of many young women.

This Monday, the Carrollton community came together to celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day with a special dress-down day.

Last week, Carrollton’s Black Student Union (BSU) hosted Blackout Week, an inspiring and immersive celebration of Black History Month.

The varsity basketball team recently traveled to Bethesda, Maryland, to compete in the Sacred Heart Network Basketball Tournament, hosted by Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart.

Members of the Class of 2024 returned to Carrollton after the Christmas break for the annual Young Alumnae Reunion.

Senior Luciana Felpeto '25 recently shared her inspiring story on Lifetime’s The Balancing Act, representing Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Last week, the CarrollSun Solar Car team had the extraordinary opportunity to visit the Concours Club, a world-class motorsports facility. Our team was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour and an inspiring presentation on motorsports engineering, covering everything from advanced racing technology to data analysis

This year’s Carrollton Gatehouse Windows Competition brought in an incredible 142 entries from students across all grade levels!

Last month, we had the privilege of welcoming the extraordinary Dr. Edda Fields-Black, a proud Carrollton alumna from the Class of 1989, back to campus as part of our Harmony & Heritage cultural series.

Congratulations to Paulina Freyre ’25 and Isabelle Wilson ’25 on their remarkable achievements! Paulina has committed to Cornell University for Sailing, while Isabelle has committed to the University of Houston for Swimming.

This weekend, Carrollton’s athletes made history at the FHSAA State Championships, showcasing their talent, determination, and team spirit.

Congratulations to our Varsity Swimming & Diving team, who secured an impressive 3rd place at the Regional Championships! The Cyclones gave it their all, achieving personal bests and setting new school records.

The Cyclones have claimed the Regional Championship title!

This week, the Cyclones brought home not one, not two, but THREE District Championships! Our Varsity Cross Country, Golf, and Swimming & Diving teams each claimed the District titles, showcasing incredible skill, teamwork, and dedication.

We are thrilled to share that the annual Sip & Shop event at Sophie's Spirit Store, a wonderful gathering of alumnae, proudly presented a check for $25,000 to Carrollton's Financial Aid Program.

Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart had the privilege of welcoming the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Seraphic Fire to our Upper School Sacred Space assembly on Thursday, October 17.

This week, over 500 Sacred Heart Network community members gathered for the Sacred Heart Summit, an inspiring intergenerational learning and action conference for the global Sacred Heart family. 

In a special ceremony this week, Miami’s Mayor, Francis Suarez, presented official recognition to Carrollton’s own Adriana Ferreira de Melo '28, the Pan-American fencing champion, alongside Yannick Borel and Alexandra Louis-Maria, Olympic silver medalists, for their outstanding achievements and contributions to fencing.

In the upcoming months, the Network of Sacred Heart Schools will celebrate 50 Years United in Mission. In honor of this milestone, the Sacred Heart community gathered for a special Opening Prayer Service, marking the beginning of this celebration. This event recognized the rich history and traditions, and the cherished Goals that unite us as a Sacred Heart family. 

Carrollton's libraries hosted a special visit from the Coconut Grove branch of the Miami-Dade Public Library as part of Library Card Sign-Up Month. The event, held during Upper School lunch periods, attracted students, faculty, and staff, all eager to celebrate the joy of reading and the value of libraries.

Last week, we had the joy of celebrating the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a cherished tradition in Catholic schools and universities around the world. This special liturgy marks the opening of the new school year, as we invite the Holy Spirit to fill our community with wisdom, grace, and inspiration for the year ahead.

Today, the Upper School welcomed back Holocaust survivor Judy Rodan for another moving presentation. In her first visit in May, Rodan shared how she was the only member of her family to survive the Holocaust, thanks to the courageous efforts of the Sacred Coeur Convent in Budapest. This time, she offered deeper insight into her life at the convent.

First Friday Formation with Fr. Vallee and Ms. Andreu reminds us of the First Friday Devotion, widely practiced in the Catholic Church, which focuses on the physical Heart as the symbol of Christ’s redemptive love. 

We are delighted to share an update about one of our remarkable alumnae, Katherine "Katie" Purkis ‘13.

On the first day of the school year, Carrollton’s Upper School welcomed back alumna Alessandra Luedeking, Class of 2013, as the guest speaker for the Convocation.

At Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, we believe in nurturing our students' academic talents, professional growth, and real-world readiness. Our Student Professional Development Program (SPDP) exemplifies this commitment, offering students unparalleled opportunities to gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills, and explore potential career paths.

Several Carrollton students participated in the Sacred Heart Network Summer Service Projects this past summer. Grounded in the Goals and Criteria, particularly Goal III, these projects are designed to provide students with immersive learning experiences that uphold the dignity of every human being and deepen their understanding of service to others.

Isabella Duarte-Crespo '25 and Veronica Franzino '27 recently participated in a Network Summer Service Project with other Sacred Heart students at St. Madeleine Sophie's Center (SMSC) in El Cajon, CA.

Each year, the Society of the Sacred Heart invites educators to immerse themselves in the history of Sacred Heart education with colleagues from across the Network.

Congratulations to our faculty, staff, and administration on an extraordinary year!

Congratulations to Mrs. Denise Fernandez and Mrs. Melinee Fernandez on being selected for the Aspiring Leaders and Mentors - Cohort II!

Yesterday marked a significant milestone at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, as students, faculty, families, and friends gathered to celebrate the Upper School graduation of the Class of 2024. The ceremony, held at Church of the Little Flower, was a blend of joy, nostalgia, and hope for the future.

Carrollton's Health and Wellness department coordinated a three-day Senior Seminar Series to help the Class of 2024 enter college prepared for challenges they might face as adults. The series gave them the knowledge to make well-informed decisions and made their experience much smoother!

On Friday, May 10, our Upper School community had the unique opportunity to hear from a Holocaust survivor. 

Grade 4 had the opportunity to hear from Tico Aran, founder of the Watershed Action Lab, on the Oyster Restoration Project.

Students in Grades 4-8 had the extraordinary opportunity to travel to New York City to sing at none other than Carnegie Hall.

Carrollton had the pleasure of hosting Cuban-American artist Reynier Llanes for a Visiting Author Workshop with students in the Upper School and Grades 4-6. 

 Congratulations to the Upper School Honors Geometry and Intro to Mechanical and Electrical Engineering classes for their success at the FIU Wall of Wind Challenge, sponsored by FIU's International Hurricane Research Center, NSF, FDEM, and FIU's NHERI Experimental Facility.

Congratulations to the extraordinary 13 students from our Carrollton community who have been nominated for the prestigious Miami Herald's Silver Knight Award! 

Congratulations to our underwater robotics team, Sustainable Cyclones, on their first-place win in last weekend's FPL TCI SeaPerch Regional Qualifier Tournament in Boca Raton.

This past Friday was the most anticipated day of the school year, Congé! 

Renowned Speaker Urges Vigilance in Digital Spaces to Promote Safer Online Environments

In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Carrollton student and faculty representatives attended the second annual All Schools Mass hosted by the Archdiocese of Miami. 

Congratulations to Fernanda Carrion '28 and Catalina Folmer '28 on being the recipients of this year's Barat Merit Scholarship!

Over the last four years, Isabela Delgado '24 has had the opportunity to participate in the Hafize Gaye Erkan First Republic Fellowship Program, which IGCS and First Republic Bank started in 2020. 

Freshmen students enrolled in Honors Geometry classes taught by Mrs. MaryAnne Hejna collaborated with their student coaches in Mrs. Thais de Leon-Perez’s ‘91 AT Stem Entrepreneurship class to devise innovative architectural concepts. These building designs had the flexibility to be situated anywhere in downtown Miami and were required to incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly elements.

Last week, Carrollton unveiled its new Mater Admirabilis Chapel and Spirituality Center to the community, fittingly beginning with our celebration of the Feast of Mater.

Sofia Barrera '25 has been recognized nationally by the Best of SNO for her article initially published in Carrollton's newspaper, The Beat

We are celebrating our students who earned academic honors from College Board's National Recognition Programs!

Isabella Duarte-Crespo, a Carrollton junior and spina bifida advocate, was traveling to Europe for a cruise with her family this past summer when her wheelchair went missing. 

Five of Carrollton's seniors have been named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program based on their performances on the 2022 PSAT. 

Last week, we celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition in Catholic schools and universities around the world. We open the new school year by inviting the Holy Spirit to fill us with wisdom and grace.

At the beginning of summer vacation, three groups of Carrollton students, faculty, and even some parents, traveled abroad to different countries for their Immersion Trips. This program gives students the opportunity to learn more about the languages and cultures they have been studying here at Carrollton.

Each year the Society of the Sacred Heart invites educators to immerse themselves in the history of Sacred Heart education with colleagues from across the Network.