This past school year, Cor Jesu Academy took a significant step forward in shaping the kind of community we strive to be, today and tomorrow. Inspired by the Charism of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and shaped by voices across our school, Cor Jesu introduced Cultural Norms that articulate our shared expectations, aspirations and values.

These norms, A Sense of Belonging, A Growth Mindset and A Courageous Spirit, are more than aspirational language. They are an active reflection of who we are and who we are becoming as a faith-filled community committed to forming women of heart, integrity and compassion.

The initiative emerged from the early work of Cor Jesu’s Culture Committee, created to ensure that all students, faculty, staff and community members feel seen and valued. From that foundation came a clear belief: we need to cultivate and nurture the culture we intend to live.

“We knew we needed to put a stake in the ground,” said Brittany Peek Seabaugh ’04, Director of Institutional Advancement, who helped lead the process. “If we’re serious about belonging, growth and courageous leadership, then we needed to define what that looks like in our daily lives at Cor Jesu.”

Together with Dr. Tricia Molnar, faculty member, and Colleen Smyth Dean ’10, Director of Campus Ministry, Seabaugh helped engage students in the process. Tamara Kioko ’27, Emily Tran ’26 and Ruth Goldkamp ’25 worked alongside the team to help ensure the norms spoke to the lived experiences of students in all grades.

“It was important that these norms be real and relatable,” said Goldkamp.

“They had to reflect what we hope to feel at Cor Jesu, but also what we want to hold ourselves accountable to.”

The final language of the Cultural Norms is intentionally simple, memorable and actionable. Each norm is grounded in the Charism and designed to guide interactions inside and outside the classroom, across departments and generations. They are not checklists or rules but shared values that inspire consistency and reflection.

As Cor Jesu moves forward, these Cultural Norms will continue to shape student formation, staff development and the overall school environment. They are being integrated into school retreats, classroom practices and even performance reviews, ensuring that the culture of Cor Jesu reflects not only academic excellence but a deep commitment to love, justice and spiritual growth.

“In the end, it’s about who we’re becoming,” said Dean. “These norms remind us that we’re called to grow together with grace, humility and heart.”