Woodlands Traditions

Every Wednesday, the Woodlands community gathers in the Chapel to start the day.  Led by student members of Campus Ministry, Wednesday Chapel opens with a brief prayer service. Following prayer, WACOR, clubs, and houses leaders share announcements and updates, keeping everyone connected, involved, and up to date with what is happening at Woodlands.

At the start of the school day, the entire Woodlands community--students, faculty and staff--takes part in espacio, a brief period of intentional quiet reflection and stillness. Lasting just a few minutes, it is a way to connect with God and foster inner peace and mindfulness. 

At the start of the school year, each new student is warmly “called” into their respective House by upperclassmen — a tradition that helps foster sisterhood, mentoring, and a strong sense of belonging. The houses include, Barat, Duchense, Hardey, and Stuart.

Held at the beginning of the school year, the Flag Ceremony involves the presentation and honoring of flags from various countries. Students and adult community members carry flags from the nations of their citizenship — reflecting Woodlands’ international diversity and the rich, exuberant spirit of our community.

The Sacred Heart Awards honor students who exemplify a commitment to their faith journey, leadership, service, and intellectual growth — reflecting the core values of the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education. Held each quarter at Woodlands, these awards focus on one of the five Sacred Heart Goals, celebrating the unique ways students live out these values throughout the year.

“Mater”—short for Mater Admirabilis, a representation of the Blessed Virgin Mary before the Annunciation—is a cherished tradition that marks a significant moment in a sophomore’s journey toward becoming a woman of the Sacred Heart. Mater celebrates their growing maturity, compassion, confidence, and service, honoring their transformation into strong, thoughtful, and purposeful young women who will carry Sacred Heart values forward in their lives.

Our annual Christmas tradition features the school's crèche scene. Each student is assigned a lamb figurine that is moved closer to the manger as the student completes specific projects or good works.

A transformative student-led experience offered to all Woodlands juniors that invites students to deepen their relationships with God, themselves, and others. Over the course of several days spent off-campus at a retreat center, students engage in talks, small group discussion, prayer, and quiet reflection. 

The Junior Ring ceremony marks a significant moment in a student’s Woodlands journey, symbolizing growing maturity, responsibility, and their deepening connection to the Sacred Heart community. Juniors receive a ring with the seal of the school, wearing it with the emblem facing inward while they are at Woodlands — and turning it to face the world upon graduation, as a symbol of carrying Sacred Heart values into the world. During the ceremony, friends, faculty, and family members also take part by rotating the ring for luck and blessing the student’s journey ahead.

Prize Day is an honors award ceremony dating back to the time of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, which recognizes academic growth and excellence, character, service, and leadership — acknowledging the many ways Woodlands students contribute to their community and evolve as individuals.

Graduation Breakfast is a warm tradition honoring the parents of the graduating class, offering a chance for seniors and their families to celebrate the transformational growth that has occurred while at Woodlands.

Graduation marks the culmination of a young woman's Woodlands education. It is a moment of immense happiness, reflection, and forward-thinking, as graduates celebrate their accomplishments and prepare to make a difference in the world. At Woodlands Academy, graduation takes place within the context of Mass.