Dear Ursuline Family,

It is with great pleasure that we begin the 147th school year at Ursuline Academy of Dallas. 

Know what an honor it is for me to serve such an incredible community, one dedicated to preserving and advancing a Catholic educational institution of the highest standard of academic excellence and social responsibility.

Ursuline Academy has an incredibly rich history, and that history reminds us of the traditions that have formed us and now challenge us to translate their meaning in new contexts for new generations. New contexts will certainly be a significant element of starting a school year during uncertain times. 

One of the distinguishing characteristics of Ursuline educators is their presence, a care for individual students that generated understanding and promoted a desire to serve. That personal engagement between our dedicated and competent faculty and the students we serve is one of the most important elements of good Ursuline-sponsored education. And, whether that engagement is virtual or in-person, Ursuline educators are as focused on social-emotional learning and spiritual development as they are on academic programming.

The Ursuline imperative is that love proves its presence by loving. How to love and how to labor – this is our apostolic care. To make our school a community that engages its culture so that, transformed by love, we may become places of peace, of justice, of love.

These are truly exciting, albeit dubious times on Walnut Hill Lane. As Jim Collins states in the first line of his book, Great By Choice, “We can’t predict the future. But we can create it.” Together, we can create a future of unlimited opportunities and new ways of proceeding, and we can achieve great things in the name of Ursuline. 

We will work throughout this 147th year of Ursuline Academy to make our extraordinary school the best it can be.  On behalf of all of us at the Academy, allow me to welcome everyone back to campus. Please join me in praying for a successful school year.

Yours in Christ,

Gretchen Z. Kane
President