Dear Stone Ridge Community, 

This year marks a time of significant anniversaries in the Sacred Heart community. We celebrate 50 years of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools and the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education, 100 years since the canonization of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, and 225 years since the founding of the Society of the Sacred Heart! As we honor these milestones, I find myself reflecting on the power of history to unite us—across time, generations, and continents. Our Sacred Heart tradition is more than a set of values; it is a living legacy that continues to shape and inspire us, much like a family’s history guides its future.

A few months ago, I experienced this connection firsthand in an unexpected way. I was corresponding with a Sacred Heart educator at our school on Hammersmith Road in London, when she sent me a fascinating discovery: a historical timeline charting the history of the Society of the Sacred Heart from 1765 to 1965. Though its creator is unknown, this document presents our history in a sweeping arc, highlighting the broader world events that shaped our mission alongside the defining moments of our own journey.

Looking at this timeline, I was struck by two things. First, how young we are. Compared to the centuries-old Sacred Heart tradition, Stone Ridge—founded in 1923—is still in its early chapters. And yet, like any vibrant family, we are deeply rooted in the wisdom of those who came before us. Second, I was reminded that Sacred Heart education has always endured through times of uncertainty and change. Wars, social shifts, changes in the Catholic Church, technological revolutions—through it all, our mission has remained clear: to educate to the values of the Heart of Jesus.

This reflection feels especially relevant today. Educating students just outside Washington, DC, we are keenly aware of the complexities and rapid shifts shaping our nation and the world. Our students are growing up in a time of significant change—whether in society, technology, or global affairs. In moments like these, our history reminds us that we are not navigating these challenges in the dark. Our mission is clear, and our commitment to the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education remains our roadmap. We stand on the shoulders of generations who have faced change with courage, faith, and an unwavering commitment to forming young people of integrity and purpose.

"Our Sacred Heart tradition is more than a set of values; it is a living legacy that continues to shape and inspire us, much like a family’s history guides its future."

In this special edition of our magazine, as we celebrate many milestones in our journey as a Sacred Heart community, we focus on the four apostolic priorities of the Religious of the Sacred Heart: spirituality, justice, formation, and education. The feature stories in these pages illustrate just a few of the ways these pillars are alive at Stone Ridge today and in our alumnae community. Whether through our students’ deepening engagement with their faith, our faculty’s dedication to shaping young hearts and minds, or our alumnae’s extraordinary leadership in the world, the Sacred Heart mission continues to flourish.

As we look ahead, we are in the early stages of articulating a process and vision for our next strategic steps as an institution. Our recent Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools accreditation process and Sacred Heart Commission on Goals self-reflection highlighted the myriad ways that Stone Ridge is a thriving school today and helped us identify four key areas that will guide our next phase of strategic work. While this process is still unfolding, these areas represent essential priorities that will sustain and strengthen our mission:

• Academic Excellence: With the rapid advancement of AI and the newly articulated Sacred Heart educational philosophy, “Sophie’s Gift,” we are beginning a thoughtful review of our Pre-K–12 academic vision to ensure it reflects both our traditions and the future of learning.
• Community Life and Belonging: We are committed to fostering a culture where every student, faculty/staff member, and family feels truly seen, valued, and connected. This means strengthening our efforts to attract and retain a mission-driven and diverse student body and faculty/staff while deepening collaboration across all areas of school life.
• Talent Management and Leadership Development: As education evolves, so do the skills and leadership needed to sustain our mission. We are exploring ways to invest in professional growth and leadership development to ensure that our faculty and staff continue to thrive as educators, mentors, and mission-driven leaders.
• Campus Master Planning: As we consider the next phase of our campus development, we are exploring how our physical spaces can best support the dynamic learning environment our students need for the future.

These priorities are not just institutional focal areas—they are an invitation. They invite us all to engage in the ongoing work of strengthening our community. As I look to the future of Stone Ridge, I do so with gratitude and confidence. I am grateful for the many ways you—our parents, alumnae, donors, and friends—support our students and our mission. And I am confident that, guided by our Sacred Heart values, we will continue to form young women of faith, intellect, and courage—leaders who will shape the world with wisdom and compassion.

With deep appreciation,

Catherine Ronan Karrels ’86 

Head of School