In September 1960, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart opened its doors to the first group of 55 girls on what had been the 15-acre Bering family estate.  This property, purchased by the Religious of the Sacred Heart, included a colonial home, called "The White House," built in 1937, which housed the entire school, a log cabin built completely with logs from the property, an oval swimming pool, and a second home called "the Cottage," where the Religious lived.  The property was heavily wooded and contained large areas of azaleas.

The next 47 years would be years of meeting challenges and providing students an institution that both retains its character and sets the standard in areas of academics and facilities. The extension of Chimney Rock Road resulted in the loss of some of the original acreage but included the opportunity to reevaluate the land and building uses.  In the mid-1990s a new "White House" was constructed along with a new Lower School and the beautiful Chapel of the Sacred Heart.  Today, the original number of 55 students has grown to 670 and the initial three grades of 7, 8 & 9 have grown to pre-kindergarten through grade 12. 

While Duchesne still boasts many pine trees and a sense of seclusion in the Memorial area, it has become a 21st century school firmly rooted in 200 year old Sacred Heart values.

Duchesne Academy is a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.  It is accredited by the State of Texas through the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (T.C.C.E.D.), the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (I.S.A.S.) and the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.