The Sacred Heart Villa building on the Hill was Cor Jesu's original home.
History
On September 6, 1956, Cor Jesu Academy opened its doors for the first time to 17 students on Macklind Avenue on The Hill under the administration of Sr. Anita Marie Giampetro, ASCJ. With the approval of Joseph Cardinal Ritter and the Archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools and the accreditation by the University of Missouri, Cor Jesu began to expand and build its curriculum to meet the needs of each subsequent school year.
Throughout the school’s history, continued efforts toward excellence have resulted in expanded curriculum and co-curricular activities, as well as increased numbers of faculty members and students and expanded technology and facilities. The faculty of Cor Jesu Academy is composed of dedicated religious and lay professionals. The religious Sisters are members of the community of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a congregation founded by Blessed Clelia Merloni.
Since its beginning, Cor Jesu has fostered a strong and vibrant Catholic tradition and an innovative and academically challenging approach to education for young women. More than 5,500 women have graduated from Cor Jesu, transforming the world for good through their faith, compassion, integrity and impassioned service.
A view of the building as it appeared during the 1970s.
Presidents:
| Sr. Susan Marie Krupp, ASCJ '76 | 2023-present |
| Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph. D. | 2020-2023 |
| Sr. Veronica Beato, ASCJ '74 | 2019-2020 (interim) |
| Sr. Barbara Thomas, ASCJ | 2007-2019 |
The tower addition added new office and classroom space.
Principals/Deans:
| Dr. Meghan Bohac - Dean of Academics | 2022-present |
| Kathleen Wobbe Pottinger '88 - Dean of Student Life | 2022-present |
| Sr. Veronica Beato, ASCJ '74 | 2016-2022 |
| Sr. Kathleen Mary Coonan, ASCJ | 2006-2016 |
| Sr. Sheila O’Neill, ASCJ, Ph.D. | 1990-2006 |
| Sr. Ritamary Schulz, ASCJ | 1984-1990 |
| Sr. Ellen Cronan, ASCJ | 1975-1984 |
| Sr. Stephanie Termini, ASCJ | 1973-1975 |
| Sr. Anne Toohey (Jerome), ASCJ | 1968-1973 |
| Sr. Anita Marie Giampetro, ASCJ | 1956-1968 |
The new Gymnasium, Student Commons, and Classrooms opened in 2017.
Milestones:
| 1956: | Cor Jesu opens on The Hill. |
| Accreditation: The University of Missouri | |
| 1965: | Cor Jesu opens new school building on Gravois Road in Affton, MO |
| 1971: | Accreditation: The North Central Association |
| 1987: |
New Library-Fine Arts Center opens |
| 1990: |
Cor Jesu named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by U.S. Department of Ed. |
| 1992: | Sr. Sheila O’Neill, ASCJ, Ph.D. establishes Endowment Fund |
| 1994: | Cor Jesu is one of the first high schools in the St. Louis area to implement the eight-block schedule |
| 1996: | One-on-One Laptop Program begins |
| 2005: | $6 million Clelian Hall opens: new school entrance, administrative offices, Counseling Department offices, classrooms |
| 2007: | President-Principal leadership model begins with Sr. Barbara Thomas, ASCJ |
| named as Cor Jesu’s first President and Sr. Kathleen Mary Coonan, ASCJ as Principal | |
| 2008: | Six acres purchased along west side of campus along Gravois Road |
| 2009: | New sports field and parking lot open |
| 2011: | Science labs renovated – Biology, Chemistry, Independent Science Research |
| 2012: | 10 acres purchased along west side of campus, adjacent to front field; |
| Library renovated - technology and aesthetic upgrades, new Student Learning Center, Campus Ministry office, IT office, CJTV Studio | |
| 2016: | The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus assigns Sr. Veronica Beato, ASCJ ’74 |
| as Cor Jesu’s first alumna principal | |
| 2017: | $10 million Performance Gymnasium, Student Commons and four new |
| classrooms open in the fall | |
| 2020: | Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D. is named as new President of Cor Jesu |
The statue of the Sacred Heart welcomes students to Cor Jesu
Alma Mater:
Cor Jesu, at your feet in blossoming youth,
We surrender our souls as you impart
Desired knowledge through paths of light and truth
Beneath the shelter of the Sacred Heart.
You’ve laden us with treasures on our way:
The warmth of friendships, pearls of hopes and dreams,
Yearnings kindled for the noblest way,
Wisdom to guide us with her radiant beams.
Reluctantly we leave to fill our part
In life – you have helped us to prepare.
Fond mem’ries shall echo in our hearts
Of fleeting hours spent in your loving care.
And when we reach the shores of our new dawn,
We will not forget your spirit true,
That of the Sacred Heart, our love’s bright flame-
Our beloved Alma Mater, Cor Jesu.
~Frances Bonskowski Saber '61
(Author)
~Carol Ann Burt
(Composer)
Copies are Still Available
CJ History ~ You may order your copy of Sharing the Love of the Heart of the Heart of Christ: A History of Cor Jesu Academy, a limited-edition, hardcover history book written by two of Cor Jesu's own history teachers. Click here to order your copy from the Spirit Stop Bookstore!
