Faith-filled education in Ottawa poised for growth

Sacred Heart, 426 S. Cedar St., has a long-standing tradition in Ottawa, Diane Chapman said, opening its doors in 1951.

“We’re very blessed to have a Catholic school here,” Chapman said.

Chapman said she considers Catholic education to be different than private education because those who cannot afford to send their children to Sacred Heart are not turned away.

And, of course, there’s the religious aspect, too.

“Our focus is a faith-filled education,” Chapman said.

Parents whose children attend Sacred Heart like the school’s commitment to academic excellence, faith-based education and philosophy of teaching the whole child, Chapman said.

“When people get here they love it,” she said.

Chapman said enrollment has been steady for the past few years, with a student-to-teacher ratio of about 12 to one.

“We are well-positioned to grow,” she said. “We’re looking forward to the growth that’s coming to Ottawa.”

Chapman said the Kindergarten through fifth grade elementary school has an active marketing committee that works to spread the word through radio spots, postcards and a newly designed Web site, www.sacredheartottawa.org.

“We have a lot of good things happening here,” she said.

Chapman said the future of Sacred Heart is bright and includes a preschool and hopefully increased enrollment.

“I want Sacred Heart to be thriving and be here for the next generation and the generation after that,” she said.

“Students are the next generation of our faith, the next generation of our church and the next generation of the leaders in our communities.”

Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.