Timeline

Founding of the RSCJ

Constitutions of the Society of the Sacred Heart are approved by the first general council of 1815. Later, in 1826, Pope Leo XII formally approved the Constitutions of the Society.

First generation of Sacred Heart students graduate.

Over 80 Sacred Heart convents and schools are established across Europe.

Mother Mary Ann Hardy opens the first Sacred Heart School in Maryland in September 1871. The school closed by 1873 due to overwhelming hardship in obtaining supplies as the U.S. recovered from the Civil War.

In September of 1923, Mother Clara Meigs Sands, RSCJ, opens Sacred Heart School at 1719 Massachusettes Ave. in DC, and becomes the School's first Headmistress through 1931.

On May 25, 1925, Madeleine Sophie Barat was canonized a saint. Her feast day is celebrated each year on this day.

Mother Agnes Barry, RSCJ, becomes Mother Superior at the convent and begins to look for new grounds for the Sacred Heart School. A venture that faced many challenges and took almost 20 years to come to fruition.

As Mother Sands’ health continued to decline, she retired in 1931 as the school’s headmistress. Mother Mary Margaret Downing took over the School for the next three years.

Silver Jubilees for Mother Sands and beloved nun Ma Mere M. du Plessis de Grenedon are celebrated in February.

Mother Emilie Hickey, RSCJ, becomes Headmistress through 1939.

First Alumnae Association is formed. Mary Catherine Mundell Coffey, class of 1934, was elected the Association’s first president.

Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, who later became Pope Pius XII, visits the Washington, DC Sacred Heart School on October 22.

The Doll Pageant and Tea, first fundraiser for scholarship, held at the Mayflower Hotel in DC.

In 1939, Mother Hickey RSCJ, Mistress General, was transferred from Washington. Mother Eleanor Kenny, RSCJ, became the Headmistress of the school as well as the convent’s Mother Superior for the next year until a new Headmistress could be found.

The school entered its third decade at 1719 Massachusetts Avenue with a new Headmistress, Mother Elizabeth White, RSCJ.

Tableaux Vivants and Music fundraiser for scholarships.

Permission to purchase Stone Ridge estate granted from the Bishop of Baltimore and Washington.

First Christmas Bazaar is a huge success, even more successful than other fundraisers to date. Doll Pageant and Tableaux with Tea events are eclipsed.

Preparations to move to Stone Ridge are underway and the Father's Club debuts.

First "Memory Book" published for the Class of 1947.

Blue and Gold Teams are established.

Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle blesses the new wing in April. The wing is eventually completed in September separating the Junior School into Lower and Middle Schools.

Mother Mary Elizabeth Tobin, RSCJ, becomes Mistress General through 1957. Mother Tobin is fondly remembered by the alumnae as someone who possessed a unique sense of style and the rare ability to make all feel “at home.”

The Christopher's are formed to put faith into action.

The Ridgean, first school newspaper, is established.

Venerable Ma Mere du Plessis 50th Jubilee is celebrated in February.

Six Weekday Boarders join the student body.

Mother Marie Odeide Mouton, RSCJ, becomes Headmistress. Her Congé and feast day is celebrated in November.

Word of Pope Pius XII death hits Stone Ridge. Classes stopped and prayers were said for the repose of his soul.

A new look to the uniforms debuts.

First school Horse Show fundraiser is held at DeFranceaux family farm raising $1878.

Anniversary Memorial Mass held for late President John F. Kennedy; Jackie Kennedy sends letter of gratitude.

Stone Ridge students appear on the television show It's Academic for the first time. They win second place in the competition.

On November 18, students line the driveway waving white handkerchiefs as Mother Barry leaves Stone Ridge. Mother Benoist is named Superior.

Lady Bird Johnson visits Stone Ridge in December.

Mother Mouton retires.

Sister "Kit" Collins becomes Headmistress from 1968–1971.

Stone Ridge Choir sings at Robert F. Kennedy funeral.

Sister Clare McGowan, RSCJ, becomes Headmistress.

The Ridgean becomes the Here and Now newsprint publication.

Black Student Union is formed.

5 Goals are implemented.

Lacrosse team is formed.

Twenty Upper School students ushered at the historic Papal Mass on the Mall with Pope John Paul II.

Sister Anne Dyer '55, RSCJ, becomes Head of School.

Stone Ridge Arts Festival debuts in May.

Stone Ridge receives the National Blue Ribbon School Award.

The School celebrates its 40 years at Stone Ridge with special guest George Hamilton Jr.

Crown Princess Michiko of Japan visits Stone Ridge on October 7.

Rose Philippine Duchesne is canonized on July 3. St. Philippine is celebrated at the National Shrine on November 17, Stone Ridge’s new Junior Children’s Choir sang during the celebration Mass.

Here and Now publication wins second place in Quill & Scroll Award—an international honorary society for secondary school journalists.

Sister Anne Dyer '55, RSCJ, celebrates her Silver Jubilee in February.

The new academic building takes shape.

Stone Ridge hosts 50th, 55th, and 60th, year reunions for classes 1935-1946.

Diversity Committee is established to strengthen School's unity by drawing on the diverse community.

Bishop Alvare Corrada del Rio blesses new wing of Upper School academic building.

Mars Pathfinder launches with silicon chip containing signatures from Stone Ridge.

Summer CampUs is created by Director Angela Romano.

Barat Medal awarded for first time. Mass of the Holy Spirit in October celebrated 75 years of Sacred Heart education in DMV, and 50 years at Stone Ridge campus.

Sacred Heart Chapel restoration begins.

First Multicultural Festival

Sacred Heart Bicentennial celebrations and blessing of Prayer Garden and Grotto dedicated to Mater, “cathedral in the woods.”

CALLITHUMP, Upper School annual art and literary magazine, wins 2001 Gold Medalist Certificate from Columbia Scholastic Press.

New pool opens adding water safety classes, special clinics, and lessons for children.

Used Book Sale nets a record $225,000. Proceeds augmented the Scholarship Fund.

Victory Bell installed in Aquatic Center tower.

Stone Ridge hosts 14 students from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Carriage House reopens as infants to age 4 daycare.

Dr. Richard Barbieri named Interim Head of School. The search for a new Head continues.

Headmistress Sister Anne Dyer '55, RSCJ, retires.

First Grade 8 Father-Daughter prayer breakfast.

Stone Ridge students sweep foreign language awards bringing home 63 medals and certificates from the National Spanish Exam, 13 medals from the State of Maryland for proficiency, and 35, medals in the Le Grand Concours national French contest.

Special Olympics Swim Program in new Aquatic Center.

Stone Ridge Alumna Catherine Ronan Karrels '86 named Head of School.

Breakfast with Santa tradition connects with alumnae families.

Stone Ridge embarked on the first part of this larger effort with the Gators Go Turf Campaign, which created a new turf field and athletic pavilion to support our growing athletics program.

Stone Ridge bids farewell to RSCJ.

Stone Ridge celebrates the 200th Anniversary of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and her courage to cross frontiers.

On October 30, 2019, the Lower School’s new playground was officially declared open.

Stone Ridge meets the challenge of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Mater Center opened in the 2021-22 school year; the final step in the Cor • Unum Campaign.