Sacred Heart and Concordia
strengthen their partnership

The agreement formalizes ties between two historic institutions that prioritize academic excellence

May 3, 2026

The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, the city’s oldest all‑girls school, has announced a landmark five‑year partnership with Concordia University that promises to reshape the path from high school to higher education for its students. Framed as a meeting of tradition and innovation, the agreement formalizes a relationship between two long‑standing institutions that share a commitment to academic excellence, leadership and community engagement.

At the heart of the partnership is a robust new admissions framework designed specifically for graduates of Sacred Heart’s Grade 12 program. Under the agreement, eligible students will receive accelerated admissions review, prioritized application processing and a guaranteed admissions pathway to most undergraduate programs at Concordia. Beyond simply smoothing the bureaucratic process, the initiative includes an annual on‑site application day at Sacred Heart, personalized follow‑up meetings with Concordia recruiters, and tailored academic guidance to help students navigate the university’s wide range of programs.

At the heart of the partnership is a robust new admissions framework designed specifically for graduates of Sacred Heart’s Grade 12 program.

The academic component extends well beyond admissions. Each year, Concordia faculty will lead four on‑site academic enrichment sessions at Sacred Heart, giving students in Grades 10 to 12 direct exposure to university‑level ideas, disciplines and expectations. Complementing this, two annual campus exploration days—one at the downtown Sir George Williams Campus and one at the Loyola Campus—will immerse students in the rhythm of campus life, from classrooms and labs to libraries and student spaces. These recurring touchpoints are designed to demystify the transition to university and to help students see themselves as future undergraduates long before graduation.

Guaranteed access to Concordia’s student residences

Housing, often a concern for families when planning post‑secondary studies, is also addressed. Sacred Heart students admitted to Concordia in the fall term will benefit from guaranteed access to Concordia’s student residences. By securing a place in residence, the partnership helps ease the logistical and emotional strain of the move to university, particularly for students who may be living away from home for the first time.

The agreement also recognizes the growing strength of Sacred Heart’s Elite Basketball Program and the role of athletics in developing young women leaders. As part of the partnership, Concordia will provide dedicated opportunities for student‑athletes, including an annual meeting with the head coach of the Concordia Stingers women’s basketball team and access to selected athletics facilities. These elements aim to create a clearer pathway for student‑athletes who wish to pursue both competitive sport and rigorous academics at the university level.

‘Sacred Heart students admitted to Concordia in the fall term will benefit from guaranteed access to Concordia’s student residences.’

“This partnership brings together the best of Montreal’s educational landscape: the heritage and heart of Sacred Heart, and the innovation and forward momentum of Concordia,” said Patricia Briand, Head of School at The Sacred Heart School of Montreal. “It is a natural pairing, one that honours our history while opening new doors for the next generation of young women leaders.”

Situated in a city where universities are deeply embedded in the urban fabric, the Sacred Heart–Concordia agreement underscores how secondary and post‑secondary institutions can collaborate to build intentional, supportive pathways for young women. For families considering Grade 12 in Montreal, it offers a clearer line of sight from the classroom to campus, and from aspiration to opportunity.

For more information about Sacred Heart’s Grade 12 Program, readers can visit sacredheart.qc.ca or contact Brigitte Weil, Grade 12 Program Director, at brigitteweil@sacredheart.qc.ca.

Feature image: Courtesy of the Sacred Heart School of Montreal