3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Kristin Lynch Graham of Sacred Heart Academy

We emailed Patch partner Kristin Lynch Graham of Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) and she told us how SHA stands apart from other schools and recommended three great books everyone should read.

Patch: As President of Sacred Heart Academy, you maintain a 13:1 student/teacher ratio. How does the Academy maintain such a keen focus on attention for individual students?

Kristin Lynch Graham: Sacred Heart has an exceptional faculty of 87 dedicated professionals, 94% with advanced degrees. These women and men are not only dedicated to education, they are committed to the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. This commitment makes their work vocational. They are dedicated to their students’ success and are continually engaged in staying at the forefront of the latest knowledge, teaching techniques and technology in their areas of specialty. They also recognize that personal relationships are proven drivers of student success and we work hard to design a unique schedule for each student that meets their academic needs.

Patch: What are the core values of SHA?

Kristin Lynch Graham: The core values of Sacred Heart Academy are rooted in the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph: to create excellent educational communities committed to inclusive love, unity and reconciliation. We provide a nurturing atmosphere of courage, compassion and commitment that motivates our students to lead with heart.

Patch: What is your definition of success?

Kristin Lynch Graham: Our definition of success is the ability to lead with heart. Approximately 800 current students and over 11,000 SHA alumnae are recognized as confident, purposeful and successful women who are ready for life’s challenges. Our alumnae are represented at the uppermost tier of every field imaginable and, because they are firmly grounded in the ethics and values shared at Sacred Heart Academy, they are able to make a difference in their professional work, their communities, their churches, and their families.

Patch: What is the key to running a successful school?

Kristin Lynch Graham: The key to running a successful school is talented and committed faculty working collaboratively and creatively with strong administrative leadership. A school’s success is also dependent on dedicated staff members who are willing to go above and beyond to make processes run smoothly. A partnership with supportive parents is also a key dimension of successful schools. I feel very confident that Sacred Heart has all of these components and more.

Patch: If you had to recommend three books to someone, what would they be and why?

Kristin Lynch Graham: I am an avid reader, so it is hard to limit it to three. For personal and professional development, I always recommend "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." I still think it is the gold standard. I also recommend "Mindset" by Carol Dweck. Her work really changed my thinking on learning. For pleasure, I have a running list, but I always recommend "The Book Thief." I read it over five years ago, and I still think about the characters. I also love that it was written as a young adult book.

Patch: In 2016, 93% of the graduating class at SHA received academic, artistic or athletic scholarships to college totaling over $53 million. What does SHA do to help students earn these scholarships?

Kristin Lynch Graham: The rigorous academic programs at SHA set our students up for success. We offer 12 Advanced Placement classes, and have a dual enrollment program with Adelphi University, Molloy College, St. John’s University and St. Joseph’s College. College credits earned may also be transferrable to other universities. Our guidance department offers unparalleled individual attention and support to each student. Many families tell me that their daughters received scholarships because their counselors gave them great advice and walked them through the application process step-by-step.

Patch: What’s the best thing about working with students?

Kristin Lynch Graham: The best thing about working with students is their energy and enthusiasm. In just my brief time on campus, I have witnessed how much the students really love Sacred Heart. For example, the Orientation team welcomed the incoming freshmen with a cheering line complete with pom-poms. They could not contain their excitement. In an all girls environment, girls really get to be their authentic selves. It is an awesome thing to witness.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about education?

Kristin Lynch Graham: I think John Dewey offers some of the best advice and wisdom on education. One of my favorite Dewey quotes is “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” I think we make mistakes when we see education as having an end game like a great college placement or a successful advanced degree. Education is a lifelong process.

Patch: What sets one high school apart from another? And how is SHA unique?

Kristin Lynch Graham: Each high school has a unique character and culture. During my eight years at St. Mary’s High School, I appreciated the traditions and experiences that made St. Mary’s a unique place. The same is true at Sacred Heart Academy. I think that culture is largely is established by the people in the organizations.

There are two dimensions that set Sacred Heart apart from other schools. The first is our mission to empower young women to lead with heart and make a difference in the world. We are one of only two all-girls Catholic high schools on Long Island, and we are the only one sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph. We provide numerous opportunities for involvement, leadership and success via a unique environment that challenges and nurtures young women, allowing them to discover and achieve their full potential.

The second is the personal relationships that are at the center of the Sacred Heart experience. Teachers take a personal interest in their students which motivates students to reach their fullest potential, and this yields outstanding results. The consistent amount of scholarships offered by top-tier national colleges and universities to Sacred Heart students is one evidence of how those relationships make a difference. Parents really recognize this as a value when deciding to invest in private high school for their daughters.

Patch: What advice would you give to someone looking to become a leader in education?

Kristin Lynch Graham: I think staying current on the fast-changing educational needs and opportunities is critically important to leaders. Leaders set the tone and direction for the institution. You need to know where things are headed in order to prepare people to get there.

Patch: How can readers contact you or learn more about Sacred Heart Academy?

Kristin Lynch Graham: Come to our Open House on Saturday, October 1st from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Interested 7th and 8th graders are also welcome to spend day with a current SHA student as part of our shadow program throughout the year. Visit our website at www.sacredheartacademyhempstead.org. Call the Main Office at516.483.7383. Or, visit us on Facebook at Sacred Heart Academy or Twitter @shahempsteadny.