A private school for boys, Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart (PASH) celebrates students in mind, body and spirit as they grow into young men of character who will be leaders of a just society. The school encourages students to have active and creative minds, a sense of understanding and compassion for others and the courage to act on their beliefs.
“We prioritize the social and emotional well-being of our students,” says Head of School Rik Dugan. “We create a space where young men can be their best selves and seek to honor the potential in every boy.”
REINVENTING BOYS’ EDUCATION
PASH was founded in 1998 with the vision of reinventing education for boys in kindergarten through eighth grade. Guided by the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria and Princeton Academy’s Learning Principles for Boys, the school is dedicated to helping each boy become an enlightened man who is socially aware and morally centered.
PASH believes boys learn best when they are the navigators of their own learning. For example, the middle school science program revolves around project-based learning that places students’ interests and passions at the center of in-depth exploration—a recent Fire Tower Design Challenge inspired students to learn about the role fire towers played for the U.S. Forest Service in surveilling the landscape for fires.
Students were tasked with creating their own version of fire towers out of twine and organic, natural materials. “It’s one example of learning coming to life in a way that’s relevant and engaging for our young men,” says Jacob Land, MS science educator and PASH alumnus.
WHERE BOYS BECOME THEIR BEST SELVES
The school’s athletic program prioritizes character development, sportsmanship and healthy competition, while a vibrant arts program encourages every student to engage in the visual, vocal and performing arts. The nationally recognized speech and debate program empowers students to develop their voices.
“Young men become their best selves through robust academics as well as an array of co-curricular opportunities— students explore new passions while diving deeper into the ones they’re already invested in,” Dugan says. “We take great pride in seeing, hearing and knowing each boy individually and meeting him where he is on his journey as a person and as a learner. We use a phrase here, ‘He Can Be,’ because we believe he can be anything.”
1128 Great Rd., Princeton
609-921-6499
princetonacademy.org