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At the Heart of Villa
At Villa We Are Strong in Faith
At Villa Hearts are Inspired
At Villa Minds are Stretched
At Villa Imaginations Grow
At Villa We Find Purpose
At Villa We Embrace Challenge
At Villa Bonds are Forged
At Villa Leaders are Born
At Villa Joy Abounds
WE BELIEVE
We believe that a transformational education is made even stronger when a student truly knows and embraces their God given gifts.
Whether boys and girls in our Lower School or young women in our Upper School, Villa Duchesne students learn in a community where academics and spiritual development are inextricably linked. As a result, their minds are stretched and their hearts are inspired, deepening the relevance and resonance of every lesson.
Because when we educate the whole student in this way, they develop both the academic and self-knowledge to change the world.
![Lower school boy in prayerful contemplation.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1693250124/vdoh/qgjyjis8tx9aci67ua8c/OurValues_Faith2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1693250124/vdoh/qgjyjis8tx9aci67ua8c/OurValues_Faith2.jpg","width":512}])
Our Values
Have Faith
We have a personal and active faith in God that serves as the foundation of all that we do. Strong and secure in our faith, we express gratitude, practice self-awareness, and seek to find our purpose.
- faith
![Middle School student measuring in Science lab.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1668632926/vdoh/efk8ac2aced2z7czm3eh/OurValues_Seek.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1668632926/vdoh/efk8ac2aced2z7czm3eh/OurValues_Seek.jpg","width":512}])
Our Values
Seek to Understand
At Villa Duchesne, we encourage personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom. We seek to not only attain knowledge but to deeply understand the worlds and our fellow humans so that we may make a meaningful impact through faith and love.
- seek
![Lower school girls building a friendship to last a lifetime!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1668632926/vdoh/cibqfq6gx1zwijzpii8v/OurValues_Build.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1668632926/vdoh/cibqfq6gx1zwijzpii8v/OurValues_Build.jpg","width":512}])
Our Values
Build Community
Community building is at the heart of Villa Duchesne. We forge meaningful friendships and seek to be positive forces in our local and global communities.
- build
![High School student attentively listens in class.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1668632926/vdoh/bpi6khkbwbb8bmensylb/OurValues_Ask.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1668632926/vdoh/bpi6khkbwbb8bmensylb/OurValues_Ask.jpg","width":512}])
Our Values
Ask Hard Questions
We have a deep respect for intellectual values. We seek to become confident learners and creative problem solvers who persevere through adversity. We ask hard questions, whether academic or philosophical, and actively pursue opportunities for growth.
- ask
![Lower School boy tending to the school chickens.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1668632926/vdoh/rxqt1qfj0pttqmtu8vsn/OurValues_Beyond.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1668632926/vdoh/rxqt1qfj0pttqmtu8vsn/OurValues_Beyond.jpg","width":512}])
Our Values
Look Beyond
We pursue a social awareness which impels us to action. We see the dignity in all and advocate passionately with open hearts to make the world a better place.
- beyond
School Calendar
all day
Duchesne Bldg
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Tower Stairs, Front Lawn
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Pavich Theatre
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Kenefick Gym
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Lenke Center
all day
Danis Atrium
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Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Front Bowl
all day
Danis Atrium
Voices of Villa
![Kirstin Blase, Villa science teacher, at Washington University Lab.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1690299534/vdoh/l0gkxg6iwuxjssniqmsu/VoicesofVilla800x533_KirstenBlase.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1690299534/vdoh/l0gkxg6iwuxjssniqmsu/VoicesofVilla800x533_KirstenBlase.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1690299534/vdoh/l0gkxg6iwuxjssniqmsu/VoicesofVilla800x533_KirstenBlase.jpg","width":800}])
Villa's Chemistry teacher, Mrs. Kirstin Blase, spent her summer working in the lab of Michael Vahey, a biomedical engineering professor at Washington University. "As a scientist, I loved being in the lab and doing research," Blase said. "As a teacher, the idea of observing real-world research and incorporating it into my classroom sounded like fun!"
![Heidi Fesler '25 and her pink stuffed monkey and bananas painting at St. Louis Artists Guild's 2023 Young Artists’ Showcase]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1678133605/vdoh/vlhsjuwpg2uq0w7v2rlt/VoicesofVilla800x533_HeidiFelser.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1678133605/vdoh/vlhsjuwpg2uq0w7v2rlt/VoicesofVilla800x533_HeidiFelser.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1678133605/vdoh/vlhsjuwpg2uq0w7v2rlt/VoicesofVilla800x533_HeidiFelser.jpg","width":800}])
Heidi Fesler ’25 is pictured with her painting of Booney, which was featured in the Young Artists’ Showcase at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild. Heidi said, “I decided to paint my childhood all-time favorite stuffed animal, Booney, for my second still life project of the year.
![Middle school girls in maroon cardigans and plaid skirts outside the icon 1929 Main Building]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1676650388/vdoh/hzxh5gb0lp2izzjr4e0y/VoicesofVilla_GoalsPrayer.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1676650388/vdoh/hzxh5gb0lp2izzjr4e0y/VoicesofVilla_GoalsPrayer.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1676650388/vdoh/hzxh5gb0lp2izzjr4e0y/VoicesofVilla_GoalsPrayer.jpg","width":800}])
Everything we do at Villa is guided by the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education. Our daily life animates the goals, and the goals inspire us to be the best possible school for our students. The Sacred Heart Goals Prayer simplifies the goals in a beautiful way...
![Lower School boys clad in rubber boots explore Deer Creek]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1676650327/vdoh/iyqlsutnlytojkvamogz/VoicesofVilla800x533_OutdoorEducation.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1676650327/vdoh/iyqlsutnlytojkvamogz/VoicesofVilla800x533_OutdoorEducation.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1676650327/vdoh/iyqlsutnlytojkvamogz/VoicesofVilla800x533_OutdoorEducation.jpg","width":800}])
All of the research related to outdoor education demonstrates that being outside benefits children in so many ways! Villa's lower school continually succeeds in building outdoor learning experiences into the curriculum and programming by using our expansive campus....
![Villa Alum and Social Studies Faculty Lily Carse working in class with middle school students.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1676651105/vdoh/kzskccee5dfwenxwcb7e/VoicesofVilla800x533_ReturningHome.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1676651105/vdoh/kzskccee5dfwenxwcb7e/VoicesofVilla800x533_ReturningHome.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1676651105/vdoh/kzskccee5dfwenxwcb7e/VoicesofVilla800x533_ReturningHome.jpg","width":800}])
"My Sacred Heart education at Villa was a life-changing experience. The relationships I formed when I was a student at Villa kept me connected to the school and my experience as a student. When I had the opportunity to come back to Villa as a summer intern, the choice was easy. ...
![Congé is the BEST!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673971194/vdoh/pzservcbbnjy9dhkewot/villaapril1-010.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673971194/vdoh/pzservcbbnjy9dhkewot/villaapril1-010.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1673971194/vdoh/pzservcbbnjy9dhkewot/villaapril1-010.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1673971194/vdoh/pzservcbbnjy9dhkewot/villaapril1-010.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1673971194/vdoh/pzservcbbnjy9dhkewot/villaapril1-010.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1673971194/vdoh/pzservcbbnjy9dhkewot/villaapril1-010.jpg","width":2200}])
There is truly nothing like experiencing Congé at Villa! Congé (pronounced "con-jay") is a surprise day, set aside for all of our students to celebrate our school community. ...
![Middles school student in green sweatshirt and red head band is all smiles during and out-of-uniform day assembly.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1676651247/vdoh/cp5qv4di1k6t2kjbzn7r/VoicesofVilla800x533_WhyILoveTeaching.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1676651247/vdoh/cp5qv4di1k6t2kjbzn7r/VoicesofVilla800x533_WhyILoveTeaching.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1676651247/vdoh/cp5qv4di1k6t2kjbzn7r/VoicesofVilla800x533_WhyILoveTeaching.jpg","width":800}])
"Villa's seventh grade is the most welcoming community I have ever been a part of. The bond is nearly instant, the teachers are caring, and the students have the freedom to find themselves while finding new friendships in their new home. ...