Signature Programs

“As our Middle School students progress through the Voyagers and Explorers programs, our hope is that they will develop a sense of ownership and personal connection to their education, with a deeper, self-driven desire to learn.”Dr. Deborah Tully, middle school head

Building on the Grade 5 Voyagers program, the Grade 6 Explorers program offers monthly inquiry-based, cross-curricular excursions that integrate classroom learning with real-world experiences to bring subjects to life. From engaging in a Mission to Mars at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center to visiting the Leventhal Map and Education Center at the Boston Public Library where students practice using cartographic tools, these immersive adventures foster critical thinking, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of how classroom knowledge applies to the real world.

All students in grades 7 and 8 present independent research projects at the annual Science and Engineering Fair. Judges include Newton Country Day alumnae, faculty, and staff with backgrounds in science, medicine, mathematics, and engineering. The top placing teams move on to the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair.

A two-night orientation trip to Cape Cod in early September, led by Senior Mentors and the Grade 9 Moderating Team.

A one-night orientation trip and outdoor education program in the Berkshires in early September, where students engage in Goal IV and Goal V by working in small groups to complete complex physical and intellectual challenges.

The Grade 10 Seminar engages students in data investigations of their well-being with the goal of promoting healthier lifestyle choices. The course culminates in student-led advocacy projects where they share their findings with the larger school community. 

This Grade 10 program is an interdisciplinary and experiential approach to the humanities, enriching students’ understanding of global cultures by combining surveys of modern history and global literature from the French Revolution to the present. 

History and English Department faculty collaborate to help students in each cohort connect and apply discipline-specific skills across the curriculum. 

The Global Studies program also offers an Honors-level option for students who are ready to operate above grade level in their analytical reading and writing, critical thinking, and class engagement skills.

The Hesed project, a key component of the Grade 11 Religious Studies curriculum, which requires students to engage in 40 hours of community service working directly with people in need. Students reflect on their experiences and how the principles of Catholic Social Teaching relate to their service work and the dynamics of mutual transformation. Students then give presentations to their classmates and others about how this hands-on experience provides an opportunity for deeper exploration of the dynamics of faith and justice in our world. 

Learn more about the Hesed Program.

The New York City Service Trip in September, which engages both Goal III and Goal IV of Sacred Heart Education through direct service with NYC-based non-profit organizations, experiential learning of United States History, and community building with their class.

The Grade 11 Seminar allows students to develop essential life skills such as CPR/AED certification, financial literacy, and leadership and negotiation skills. As part of the leadership component of the course, students are invited to discern which leadership positions within the school community might best align with their strengths and sense of purpose as they look to assume formal leadership roles in their senior year. 

This program encourages students to become scientists or engineers through the development of a project of their own design. With mentorship from a faculty member, students discern a question to address, write a detailed project proposal, conduct the experiment or implement their designs, analyze their data, and communicate their findings through a written report and oral presentation at the annual Science and Engineering Fair. Many students advance to present their work at the regional, statewide, and international Science and Engineering Fairs. Notable student achievements include earning awards to develop a patent on their design and receiving recognition from national societies.