Convent of the Sacred Heart

Come discover Sacred Heart.

I invite you to explore our website to get a sense of Sacred Heart’s unique community, where each young woman is cared for, respected, and challenged to realize her full potential.

Sacred Heart’s mission traces back to 1800, when Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in post-Revolutionary France. A cultural disrupter of her time, Saint Madeleine Sophie used her intellect and passion for education to challenge societal norms and educate women. The society of schools she founded has evolved into an international network of 150+ Sacred Heart schools in over 40 countries.

Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s vision and commitment to action continue to inspire us today. Guided by one mission shared by all Sacred Heart schools, we strive to educate and empower each young woman to positively influence the world in a way that only she can, drawing on her intellect, faith and spirituality, courage, and unique talents.

No words can convey the feeling one gets walking through the doors of Sacred Heart at 91st Street, and I invite you to come to the school to experience that feeling for yourself. We look forward to seeing you!

Joseph J. Ciancaglini
Head of School
jciancaglini@cshnyc.org

Read more about Dr. Ciancaglini

Read more about Dr. Ciancaglini

The 2022-2023 academic year marks Joseph J. Ciancaglini’s sixteenth as Head of School at 91st Street. Inspired and guided by Sacred Heart’s educational mission, Joe has worked in close partnership with the Administrative team and Board of Trustees to set and achieve ambitious goals for the school.

Under his leadership, 91st Street’s academic program has grown in nearly every area and division,and the campus has expanded by over 50%, thanks to the addition of the Athletics and Wellness Center (406). The school has established a department of diversity, equity, and community life; mission-based councils for social awareness, heritage, and spirituality; and new programs in entrepreneurship and network exchange. In 2022, 91st Street unveiled FutureLab, 20,000 square feet of renovated space dedicated to STEM, and completed its inaugural immersion trip to Sacred Heart schools in India. Most important, Dr. Ciancaglini has infused new life into the community’s understanding of Sacred Heart’s mission.

Prior to joining 91st Street, Joe served as the Director of School at the Sacred Heart school in Atherton, CA, and 21 years prior to that as a teacher, administrator and Headmaster at Gonzaga in Washington, D.C.

Joe has served on numerous boards over the years, including the Board of Trustees, Cathedral School, New York City (2019 to present); Board of Governors, Sacred Heart School, Halifax, Canada (2015 to present); Board of Directors for the Guild of Private Schools of New York City (2014 to present); Board of Directors of Fordham Prep, New York (2011 to present); and Chair of the National Board of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools (2010 to 2014). He has also served as an educational consultant internationally, including advising the Head of the Italian Catholic School System on curriculum reform (1996).

Joe received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Georgetown University, and graduate degrees from Boston University (Ed.M., Counseling Psychology), Columbia University (Ed.D., Educational Administration), and Georgetown (M.A., Philosophy).

Joe currently resides in Manhattan, N.Y., where, every Monday afternoon, he joins Sacred Heart parents and students to deliver Meals on Wheels to New Yorkers in need.