A School Designed for Girls: Our Visit to Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

tony65993
7 days ago
3 min read

As soon as we stepped off the bus and stood at the school gate, we were greeted by the harmonious sounds of a live choral performance. The choir of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart welcomed us with a solemn and moving rendition of Coeur de Jesus. As the music floated through the crisp spring morning air, we were immediately immersed in the warm atmosphere of this century-old all-girls boarding school.

"What we show you is what we truly are, every day."

Following the welcome ceremony, we joined a school presentation in the Large Conference Room. The opening remarks by Head of School Dr. Susan Dempf were especially memorable: “Nothing here was rehearsed—what you’re seeing is the most typical day at Woodlands.”

Key leaders from across the school were also present—representing academics, student life, admissions, fundraising, college counseling, educational management, and even members of the Board. Each spoke with sincerity, offering insights into the school’s multifaceted educational ecosystem.

The team took turns introducing their respective departments, covering areas such as academics, student life, college counseling, and teaching management.

The faculty stood out in particular—not only for their expertise but also for their warmth and approachability. Notably, two board members who are also parents of alumnae attended and shared heartfelt stories of growing alongside the school from a parent’s perspective.

College Counseling: No Labels, Just Support and Fit

Mr. Bond, Director of College Counseling and former admissions officer at Northwestern University, emphasized in his talk: “We don’t label our students. Instead, we provide personalized and comprehensive support.”

He elaborated on Woodlands’ counseling approach, which benefits from small class sizes and individualized attention. Each student receives over 50 hours of one-on-one guidance throughout the college planning process.

*Director of College Counseling Mr. Bond*

Immersive Classroom Experiences: From Engineering to Psychology

We toured various classrooms in groups:

Engineering Classroom: A few girls were assembling a robot, with parts scattered across the table. It was a clear demonstration of hands-on creativity and technical skill.

Physics Classroom: We stepped in during an ongoing lesson, where a Chinese student was actively participating in class discussions.

Biology Classroom: Although class wasn’t in session, the biology teacher gave a detailed explanation of the curriculum and equipment setup.

Psychology Class: We took part in a psychology lesson, participating in experiments alongside students—experiencing firsthand how engaging and practical the course was.

Boarding Life: Care in Every Detail

We then visited the dormitories and attended a session on boarding life. The school currently hosts 22 boarders, with a 50/50 split between domestic and international students.

Dorms are single-occupancy, each equipped with private bathrooms, climate control, and furniture. Shared facilities include a kitchen, two refrigerators, a common room, gym, and even a “Free Room” that encourages sustainability and peer-to-peer sharing of unused items.

Transportation and safety are well-managed. Students must submit outing requests via an app, which require parental approval. Weekend activities are jointly organized by students, dorm staff, and parents. Each dorm is equipped with a secure entry system, and security staff are on duty at night.

Other Classrooms and Facilities:

International Student Life: Growth Through Support

At lunch, the school thoughtfully prepared Chinese cuisine for us.

Several international students joined us to share their experiences studying and growing at an all-girls school:

Clubs are diverse and engaging, with the debate club being particularly intense.
Athletic options include volleyball, basketball, and more.
Religious studies are inclusive, covering all major world religions.
The all-girls environment fosters open and mature communication.
Interactions with boys are facilitated through off-campus events and competitions.

The students also shared their college application experiences: start early, stay involved, express yourself confidently—and always rely on the school’s strong support system.

Q&A Session: Home and School, Raising Girls Together

In the final Q&A session, the school addressed a range of questions in depth, including:

Methods of parent-school communication and progress reporting
Application and payment procedures
Mental health and medication management
Orientation for new students and campus safety
ESL and personalized academic support

We also learned about the “Reach” system, which manages travel, dorm updates, and medication tracking—a balanced integration of technology and care.

Woodlands, Through Our Eyes:

—A school truly built for girls.

Throughout our visit, we witnessed how Woodlands Academy supports girls in becoming confident, mature individuals with strong character and independent judgment—through thoughtful management, empathetic teaching, and comprehensive support.