Sacred Heart School began in 1908 under the direction of the Sisters of Saint Francis whose Mother House is in Milwaukee. Sacred Heart School’s current building was constructed in 1937 and an addition of three rooms was added in 1961. Our first kindergarten class began in the fall of 1976. The first four-year-old preschool class began in the fall of 1983. The four-year old students met three afternoons a week with the kindergarten students. There were 7 kindergarten students and 14 preschool that matches our current numbers for the 2000-2001 school term. Our school was established as a result of the people’s love of God, their baptismal call and responsibility, and as a labor of love, to share the Gospel message and teachings of Christ with their children. The school was a very special gift for the children and a strong testimony of their efforts to keep their love of God thriving in the hearts and minds of our parish community. Today Sacred Heart School continues this precious educational ministry under the guidance of Father John Swing, our faculty and staff, and the WRACS administrative team. Starting in the fall of 1999, our site is a preschool (four year olds) through sixth grade building.

In January 1999, Bishop Raymond Burke of the Diocese of LaCrosse announced the consolidation of the Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools that would start in the Fall of 1999. Thus, our Catholic Assumption Middle School was established. Our students in the seventh and eighth grades were relocated to this new setting. The middle school is located on the third floor of Assumption High School. Their studies and activities are based on the premise of middle school philosophy. Teachers in the high school are shared with the middle school. This provides the students with numerous additional learning experiences, share resources, and staff. This fall the middle school expanded to the second floor far wing of Assumption High School. Teachers now are part of a grade level team with equal learning experience opportunities established for all students in each grade level. A rather preppy type dress code was put in place for all K-6 students, with a few additions for the middle school students. Beginning this fall Assumption High School joined the dress code. All of our Area Catholic Schools have received accreditation by the North Central Association in 1999. This is a highly commendable achievement in our continued strive for excellence and in our very first year of our existence.

Bishop Raymond Burke visited our school in October 1999 as part of his visit to the Wisconsin Rapids Area Deanery. The students had the wonderful opportunity to ask him questions, receive his blessings, pray with him, and celebrate a Mass with him. The children were extremely thrilled to be able to shake his hand. This was truly one highlight that will never be forgotten by our students, faculty and staff.

Our Sacred Heart children are educated in a Christ-centered environment. We prepare them to serve as beacons of light for Christ to become ministers of our Catholic faith for generations to come. The Gospel message and the teachings of Christ are integrated into all of the curriculum areas. We strive for academic excellence and adapt instruction to meet individual needs. The learning experience is enriched through meaningful and appropriate student service learning projects, field trips, and co-curricular activities that instill the Catholic values and the teachings of Christ etc. During the Mass our students are active participants as readers, servers, gifts carriers, etc. Classes take turns preparing our weekly Mass and the daily prayer service. We end each day with a prayer service and include many petitions for the members of our parish and school community.

The students in fourth through sixth grade may participate in band and various sports that are coordinated through the Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools System. Students may enter numerous contests based on their individual interests and talents. Some of these are essay contests, forensics competition, poetry contests, art contests, Odyssey of the Mind, CESA Spelling Bee, Solo Ensemble…

Sacred Heart encourages students to reach out to those in need. At our Thanksgiving Golden Mass food for the needy is gathered. The funds raised from our Christmas Store were sent to our sister parish in Pinon, Arizona. Food and other items were collected and given to the South Wood County Humane Society. Classes brighten the Christmas for needy children in the area by purchasing gifts. Our students shared the spirit of Christmas with the residents of Edgewater Haven and the Living Oaks through caroling and performing their Christmas Program. Our Secret Angel project gave the students the opportunity to put the religious teachings into practice. They selected a slip of paper with a student’s name on it and then they did kind things, made cards, or gave them compliments. We collect pop can tabs to give to the Ronald McDonald House. Our youngsters are involved in community service projects outside of the school day.

Sacred Heart School continually has been blessed with time, talents, and financial support from our Sacred Heart Parish, our Sacred Heart Home and School Association, the Sacred Heart Parish Foundation, the local Order of Catholic Foresters Court #1458, the Parish Council of Catholic Women, our playground committee, our library committee, many alumni, parishioners, parents and grandparents.

Several of our alumni returned to Sacred Heart School as teachers. They include Sister Carlene Schenk, Sister Sylvia Danno, Jane Klappa-Francis, and Jean Stelzer. In 1977 all four were a part of the Sacred Heart Faculty while Father Donald Wilger was the pastor. Our head cook, Mary Bredl-Bohmsach, is a Sacred Heart School Alumni.