The Immaculate Heart school year is filled with traditional days of celebration. Through these events and activities, students are given the opportunity to create and celebrate together as a community. Many of these activities are unique to Immaculate Heart and are coordinated by our student councils.
Welcome Day is a long-held tradition at Immaculate Heart. Student Council plans a song and dance-filled day to celebrate the newest members of our school. Big and Little Sisters get to know each other through games and races, and begin to build that community spirit that is so important at Immaculate Heart.
IHMS holds liturgies, (masses and prayer services) on Holy Days of Obligation as well as other significant times throughout the year. All students are given the opportunity to be active participants as readers, dancers, liturgical environment creators, musicians, and Gospel dramatists. A special aspect of each service includes student testimonials, sharing descriptive details of unique service projects.
By far, one of the most enjoyable activities at Immaculate Heart, the Halloween Carnival is a long standing tradition. Each year, the Middle School student body adopts primary grade students from a local elementary school bringing them to Immaculate Heart for the carnival. This fun filled day is coordinated by the Student Council & CJSF. The booths, games & activities are all created, designed, and constructed by the student body. Each child comes in costume and is escorted around the carnival by two middle school students to ensure maximum enjoyment of the day.
At the beginning of each school year, the 6th and 7th grades participate in an off campus day-long retreat. These retreats focus on community building, friendship and caring for one another as students explore their spiritual relationship with God. The 8th grade also begins the year in a similar way, but also gathers again at the end of the year to reflect on the friendships they have built during their time at Immaculate Heart. This year end retreat gives students the opportunity to say good bye and make amends to all of their classmates before they embark on high school.
A highlight of the after-school Choral program, the Christmas Concert showcases all the musical talent at Immaculate Heart. The evening is filled with song and cheer as soloists and musicians are given an opportunity to share their gifts and talents with family and friends.
The Christmas celebration is a day designated for the Middle School students to come together and celebrate the joy and mysteries of the Christmas season. Sharing songs, traditions, joy and food, students continue to build friendships as they gather together to wish each other well throughout the holidays.
Each year the social studies department coordinates a day for students to present their final reports on a historical figure. The school gathers in the auditorium to witness these notable individuals come to life. Students, in costume, are given the opportunity to share their research on the lives and accomplishments of their subjects.
The beginning of the second semester is marked with a week designed to have students come together as a school to display their spirit. The Middle School student council organizes this fun filled week. Every day, students are able to show their IH spirit through costumes, games, activities and a bit of friendly competition. Classes continue to compete for spirit points as the week comes to a close with the annual Middle School Talent Show.
By far, the most cherished of all traditions at Immaculate Heart, students recognize and celebrate their cultural diversity during this annual event. Family members are invited to come help celebrate our diverse community. Wearing ethnic dress, the heritage of all students is shared through, art, music, dance, stories and a vast array of international foods. This highly successful event brings together our diverse population, creating knowledge, understanding and tolerance throughout our student body.
The beginning of spring is celebrated at the Spring Fling field day which is coordinated by our student council. Students dress in their team colors and spend time getting to know their big & little sisters as they work together while competing for spirit points in fun-filled activities.
Parents and families are invited to join us at our annual Spring Showcase Night. This joyful evening culminates the school year through a display of student work, music, song, and performances. The annual Middle School Art Show & Science Fair are also on display along with samplings of assignments and projects from each of the other disciplines. The evening serves as a wonderful venue to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of the year.
Saying goodbye to the 8th grade is a bitter sweet celebration on the last day of school. Middle School students come together for food, skits, and song, to reminisce over their year at Immaculate Heart, and to wish the 8th grade graduates good luck in the High School.
Each class participates in a unique retreat experience. The freshmen and sophomores enjoy a “Day of Recollection” focusing on the spiritual themes of their theology classes. The juniors and seniors have overnight retreats concentrating on their relationship with God, themselves and others.
The Genesians, the school theater club, present two major dramatic or musical productions for guests and students. In addition, a Christmas Program and a Mary’s Day program are fully directed and choreographed by the Genesians club.
Named after the most honored of all women, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, this special day celebrates in liturgy and special programs the theme of “woman.”
Sponsored and planned by the junior class, this formal dance is held in late spring and attended by many juniors and seniors and their escorts. The traditional highlight of the evening is the honoring of the Prom Queen and her court.
Students showcase their work from the year for students and family members to view. Works are shown from a diverse collection of classes including painting and drawing, digital photography, graphic arts, studio art and AP Studio Art.
A Catholic, independent college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12, Immaculate Heart has been located on a beautiful hillside property in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles since our founding by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1906. We celebrate more than a century of nurturing the spiritual, intellectual, social and moral development of students as they distinguish themselves as women of great heart and right conscience.