A Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls, Grades 1-12, with a co-educational Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten.

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Who We Are

Stone Ridge is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school in the Network of Sacred Heart schools for girls, Grades 1-12, with a co-educational early childhood program, Little Hearts, which serves children three-month olds through Kindergarten age.

Stone Ridge is located in Bethesda, Maryland, three and half miles from Northwest Washington, DC.

Our Mission

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart inspires young women to lead and serve, through lives of purpose that integrate faith, intellect, community, social action, and personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

Friends

We love Stone Ridge Heart

Field Day

Our Catholic Identity

As a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Washington, students at Stone Ridge study the teachings of the Catholic Church at every grade level, participate in sacramental and devotional life, and embrace the social responsibilities shared by all Christians. Stone Ridge is a Catholic school for children of many faiths and promotes a deep understanding and respect for people and religions around the globe.

Inherent in its Catholic identity and Sacred Heart tradition, Stone Ridge maintains a global, ecumenical perspective enhancing the faith life of all members of the community, including the students, faculty, parents, alumnae, friends, staff, and administrators. The curriculum and extracurricular activities recognize the unique gifts, talents, and viewpoints of every individual, providing excellent programs in academics, arts, athletics, and service leadership.

Our History

The Sacred Heart story dates back to 1800, when St. Madeleine Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in France, an order of religious dedicating their lives to educating young people, especially young women. A brave woman from Sophie's order, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, brought Sacred Heart education to the United States in 1818, opening a school in St. Charles, MO.

In 1923, the Sacred Heart roots of Stone Ridge began in Washington, DC, when the Society of the Sacred Heart opened a successful new school at 1719 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. For over a generation, the School fulfilled its educational mission, but quickly outgrew its quarters in the city.

The Religious of the Sacred Heart at that time purchased 35 acres of “Stone Ridge”, the George Hamilton estate in Bethesda, Maryland. On September 25, 1947, the original school moved to Stone Ridge and opened its doors with 150 students, 25 instructors, and seven lay assistants.

In gratitude to these founding mothers' courage and confidence, the Sacred Heart global network of schools thrives today, 200 years later, and has grown to include over 150 schools and colleges in 30 countries around the world. In the United States and Canada, 24 schools comprise the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, all guided by and committed to the same philosophy as articulated in the Goals & Criteria.

Five Goals

The Goals & Criteria of Sacred Heart Education

We share with the other members of the nationwide Network of Sacred Heart Schools five Goals and the commitment to educate to:

  • A personal and active faith in God
  • A deep respect for intellectual values
  • A social awareness which impels to action
  • The building of community as a Christian value
  • Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom

OUr Power of AN All-Girls Education

At Stone Ridge, girls find their voice, collaborate on projects, and excel in academics, which will prepare them for a purposeful life.

Stone Ridge girls have abundant avenues for self-exploration and growth, allowing them to develop strong, lifelong friendships in a community that will be a home for them for life

The research and data on the benefits of an all-girls education is compelling.

Our traditions

Stone Ridge is proud of its long history of memorable, exciting, and beloved traditions, many of which are rooted in its French heritage of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Feast Wishes
Primes
Conge

School Colors: Blue & Gold
School Mascot: Gator
School Motto: Hic et Nunc (Here & Now)

Blue/Gold Team Induction
At the beginning of each school year, Blue and Gold team captains announce each new student one-by-one at a special and spirited assembly, and welcome her to either the Blue or Gold team: teams they stay on for life.

Congés
From the French, “to take leave,” Congés are surprise days, when classes are canceled and the students focus on building community through fun team building activities and games.

Goûter
Goûter is a special snack on feast days and holidays.

Grandparent's Day
Lower and Middle School children welcome their grandparents with enjoyable activities and treats.

Feast of Mater Admirabilis
Feast of Mater Admirabilis is observed every October to celebrate the miraculous fresco of the Virgin Mary depicted by a young nun in the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1844.

Feast Wishes
Feast Wishes is an all-school gathering before the Christmas holidays where students present the gifts of song and cards to every member of the administration, faculty, and staff.

Field Day
Field Day is at the end of the school year when the Blue and Gold teams compete in a highly spirited day. Activities include the tug-of-war, Father-Daughter races, a cookout lunch, novelty games, music, and the end-of-year awards for achievement in athletics and PE.

Mother's Day/Feast of Mater Admirabilis
Mother’s Day is a special event in the Lower School planned to give mothers and daughters a chance to play and pray together.

Primes
Primes is one of the oldest Sacred Heart traditions. Primes was originally a gathering of the entire student body on Sunday evening. Students who had been very good during the week received a small blue card,inscribed with the words Très Bien. Today, Primes is an assembly held in the Lower School for Grades 1-4 once a week, with the Head of School presenting medals to students who are recognized by their teachers for living out the Goals of Sacred Heart education.

Prize Day
Prize Day is a formal assembly at the end of the school year for the distribution of certificates and awards recognizing special achievement.

Ring Day
In the spring, students in the junior class (Third Academic) receive their class rings from their Fourth Academic ring sisters at a ceremony presided over by the Head of School, the Head of the Upper School, and the Alumnae Board President. This is a formal ceremony for the Third and Fourth Academic students.

Très Bien Ball
The annual Très Bien Ball is a celebratory formal dinner dance hosted by the Alumnae Association to honor the Fourth Academic class. The Très Bien Ball, founded in 1953, was created by combining the Stone Ridge Fathers Club graduation dance in 1946 and the Alumnae Association supper dance in 1949. This formal ball provides an opportunity for the students to be formally inducted into the Alumnae Association. The event is organized by an honorary committee, under the supervision of the Alumnae Relations.
 

Tres Bien 2018


Class of 2017

Tres Bien Class of 2006
Class of 2006


Class of 1966