NDB View Book 2023-2024

Notre Dame Belmont Empowering Young Women Since 1851

Welcome to Notre Dame Belmont Hello from Notre Dame Belmont!

As a proud alumna of the Class of ‘85 (and an even prouder mom of an alum from the Class of 2023), I know firsthand the power of a Notre Dame education. The NDB journey is one of intellectual growth, spiritual depth and deep friendships. Our students are extraordinary, and they impress us every day with their insights, creativity and humor.

We have a school full of bright, happy, creative young women who discover their talents, find their voices and are more than prepared for college and life after graduation from NDB. It’s what we do. This viewbook is intended to provide a snapshot of life at Notre Dame . . . a place where students feel safe to take academic risks, and where their unique gifts are supported and valued. Education is not simply about educating a mind—it’s about forming a compassionate human spirit.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. We're here to guide you through the admissions process and have fun along the way! We welcome you to explore all that is Notre Dame Belmont!

With warmest regards,

Debbie Anderson '85 Director of Admissions danderson@ndhsb.org 650.595.9505

Proclaim God's Goodness

Dignify All

The Hallmarks of an NDB Education

Empower Young Women to Act for Peace & Justice

Commit to Service

Create Community

Embrace Diversity

Learn for Life

NDB

At a Glance

Average Class Size

Founded

400 20

1851

by Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

Students

Students

22

100% 19 College Acceptance

Co-ed Course Opportunities

College Merit Scholarships Earned

$11 30+ 15 Million

Clubs & Activities

Sports

AP Courses

14

Honors Courses

30

Visual & Performing Art Courses

26 85% Teams

Staff/Faculty with Advanced Degrees

ALL-GIRLS ADVANTAGE ALL ACTIVITIES ARE FEMALE-DRIVEN Whether it be participating on a student leadership board, starting a new club or leading a service learning project, students develop a tremendous amount of confidence in realizing that they, as women, are driving each of these school activities.

SELF-EXPRESSION BECOMES SECOND NATURE Research finds that it’s beneficial and powerful for girls “to see it in order to be it.” When students see their peers leading a club, excelling in student government or succeeding on the robotics team, they get the clear message that they too can excel in those areas. Expressing oneself, sharing their unique perspective and using their voice becomes second nature. This is the power of an NDB education.

100% 96%

BEING YOURSELF IS A SUPERPOWER

95%

Whether students are invited to speak their mind in class or sing chants of sisterhood at the top of their lungs at a rally, being oneself is a superpower. Being in an environment where every student is seen and appreciated for who they are inspires students to speak with confidence, develop leadership skills with prowess and ultimately create positive change.

93% 6x

"Who is to say what a woman can or cannot be — besides herself."

- Emily Wellman ‘19, Sports Marketing Intern and Psychology Student at Santa Clara University

STUDY LIKE A TIGER Academic Concentrations empower students to dive into the field of study that they are most interested in, preparing them for a successful college and professional career.

WOMEN IN STEM CONCENTRATION Women represent only thirty percent of the STEM workforce in the U.S. — and Notre Dame Belmont (NDB) is working to close the gender gap. NDB’s Women in STEM Concentration immerses students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to prepare them for careers in AI, data science and more.

Who is a STEM Tiger?

A STEM Tiger has an inquiring mind, and may often find themself asking why, how or what. If you tell a STEM Tiger that our rainforests are in danger, they might ask why, quickly followed by, how can I help? A STEM Tiger seeks to understand the world around them and bolster innovations to bring solutions to the world's most complex predicaments.

MASS COMMUNICATIONS CONCENTRATION The NDB Mass Communications Concentration prepares students to understand the ever-evolving power of media, media technologies and communications in daily life. Students learn to conduct complex quantitative social analyses, write clearly and engage others with compelling purpose. Students conduct multimedia storytelling with a sense of curiosity, developing intellectual tools to find answers to questions both now and in the future.

Who is a Mass Communications Tiger?

A Mass Communications Tiger is creative, detail oriented and highly communicative. A Mass Communications Tiger collaborates and uses active listening skills to understand the world around them, employing their advanced writing and public speaking skills to convey their thoughts in powerful and compelling ways. A Mass Communications Tiger may be behind the curtain or camera, capturing the latest news to publish in The Catalyst student newspaper or making a speech to run for class council to represent their peers.

SOCIAL JUSTICE CONCENTRATION The NDB Social Justice Concentration empowers students to examine some of the most complex issues related to race, gender, sexuality and more. Students learn critical skills to both be and lead the change to improve circumstances for marginalized communities.

Teaching bold leadership skills, students prepare to effectively advocate for human rights in the context of our ever-changing world.

Who is a Social Justice Tiger?

A Social Justice Tiger has great empathy for others and knows that the world has the potential to become a more peaceful and inclusive place. Learning the complex needs of others, a Social Justice Tiger is not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and craft innovative solutions to benefit those in need. Having great awareness of the “noise” taking place in politics and beyond, a Social Justice Tiger takes a strategic, ethical and methodical approach towards creating positive change.

HUMANITIES CONCENTRATION The NDB Humanities Concentration engrosses students in the study of language, history, religion, literature and philosophy. Students explore elements of life that impact human beings and their cultures with analytic critical methods of inquiry.

Students are taught to understand the past, question the present and imagine the future while developing the power of their voice, both spoken and written. Well equipped in making evidence-based inferences, students learn to tailor their written and spoken word to each audience to achieve a specific purpose.

Students develop a deep appreciation for human values and the unique ability of the human spirit to express itself.

Who is a Humanities Tiger?

A Humanities Tiger has a heart of compassion and a longing to understand, engage and serve others. A Humanities Tiger may often be approached as a role model, frequently asked questions by classmates. Always interpreting and analyzing human interactions, a Humanities Tiger has powerful self awareness and reflects on themselves and the world around them. Friends of a Humanities Tiger may frequently ask them for advice or seek them out for support. A Humanities Tiger works to understand why people are the way that they are and investigates how they can help others to become their best selves.

SPORTS MEDICINE & MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION The NDB Sports Medicine and Management Concentration takes students behind the scenes of the sports and athletics industry, giving them an eye into sports medicine and business management — two critical areas that make the world of sports a success. Whether students are interested in training athletes, managing a sports team, marketing or managing the business side of the industry, the Sports Medicine and Management Concentration is a great place to start a professional career.

Who is a Sports Management Tiger?

A Sports Medicine and Management Tiger is a team player — someone who cheers on their team members and shakes hands with their opponents. With an athletic mind, a Sports Medicine and Management Tiger wants to learn how to keep players, teammates and peers safe and healthy while playing the game, whether the “game” is on the field or in the classroom.

ARTS CONCENTRATION The NDB Arts Concentration immerses students in creative expression in the classroom, on the stage and in the studio. Students explore historical and cultural meanings of art to intensify visual perceptions. Students gain insight into the technical processes involved in the production of art while they learn how to both express and create something greater than themselves, in and out of the classroom.

Who is an Arts Tiger?

An Arts Tiger doesn’t quite “fit the mold,” their expansive mind wildly beautiful and unique. Quirky, imaginative and creative, the mind of an Arts Tiger is visionary. Whether they are drawing a scene created from the depths of their mind or acting out the experience of a charismatic, complex character in a play, an Arts Tiger is expressive and dynamic. Unapologetically innovative, an Arts Tiger paints their own path and expresses themselves without limitations.

TIGER TRACK CONCENTRATION The Tiger Track Concentration prepares students to enjoy a taste of everything at NDB. From science to arts to social sciences, the Tiger Track Concentration has it all! Students who choose the Tiger Track will have the opportunity to excel in a variety of subject areas and identify their yet-to-be-discovered talents and passions that will prepare them for a successful academic career in college and beyond.

Tigers

are spirited.

Aquacades

Rallies and Assemblies

Class Spirit

Students bring an 80+ year tradition to life as they perform swim, dance and cheer routines with cheering that raises the roof off the building every year.

Spirit rallies are held several times during the year to honor NDB sports teams, recognize achievements and celebrate NDB school spirit.

Each class has its own class color and mascot, which strengthens the bond of sisterhood. Classes engage in spirit competitions throughout the year.

Tigers

are athletic.

Year-round Athletics

15

Sports

26 Teams

Spirit Squad, JV/Varsity Cheer, Varsity Pom

Fall Athletics JV/Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Golf, JV/Varsity Tennis, JV/Varsity Water Polo, Frosh/JV/Varsity Volleyball, Flag Football

Winter Athletics JV/Varsity Basketball, JV/Varsity Soccer

Spring Athletics Varsity Beach Volleyball, JV/Varsity Lacrosse, Varsity softball, JV/Varsity Swimming, JV/Varsity Track and Field Christina Okubo Director of Athletics cokubo@ndhsb.org

Tigers

express themselves.

Art has the potential to expand and transform every student in miraculous ways. Many students share their artistic skills with their peers and have an opportunity to teach others. Some students arrive feeling as if they are not creative, only to find an opportunity to unleash a talent they had only imagined!

Students participate in a variety of visual and performing arts:

Theatre Arts

Photo & Video

Band

Visual Arts

Dance

Tigers

engage with their co-ed peers.

The Best of Both Worlds.

NDB students engage with their peers at Serra High School and Mercy High School through a variety of activities:

TRI-SCHOOL CLASSES

CO-ED ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS

Sports Management Sports Medicine Symphonic Band Concert Band Jazz Band AP Chinese Language & Culture AP Art History Anatomy & Physiology (Honors) Virtual Enterprise Mandarin I, II, III, IV Drama I, II, III, IV Video Production

Serra Frosh Splash NDB students cheer on NDB Frosh Dance the Padres at Serra Serra Dance athletic games and Link-O-Ween Haunted Mansion Homecoming.

NDB All School Dance Winter Formal NDB Spirit Squad cheers Prom at Serra games.

Retreats Community Service Serra Aquatic Center is home for water polo and swim meets.

Co-ed track meets.

Tigers

are faithful.

Spirituality is a lived experience that each of us embodies. We are a Catholic school and believe in the holiness and wholeness of each person. With 55 percent of the students being Catholic, 45 percent represent virtually every other faith tradition.

By studying all world religions, NDB students embody acceptance, openmindedness, respect, social awareness and intellectual curiosity.

Spiritual Life Classes NDB empowers each student on her personal faith journey of social, emotional and spiritual growth.

Students of all faith backgrounds are welcome, as they engage with their peers through the lens of their personal faith traditions.

Tigers

are leaders.

NDB students are positive, articulate and confident leaders. More than 185 members of the student body hold leadership positions and roles: On Leadership Boards: On the Field: Student Council/Homeroom Presidents Athletic Team Captains of Associated Student Body 15 Sports and 26 Teams California Scholarship Federation National Honor Society On the Stage: Ambassador Leadership Board Tri-School Productions Hallmarks in Action Board Tri-School Chorus and Orchestra Link Crew Board In the Classroom: On Academic Teams: 22 AP and 15 Honors Courses Tigerbots Robotics Team Math Team On 30+ Clubs: Mock Trial Club Presidents

Tigers

are ready for the world.

NDB graduates are thoughtful, collaborative leaders.

NDB graduates are prepared for careers not yet imagined because success comes from an ability to: Take initiative Practice intellectual curiosity Remain open-minded Be resilient Take responsibility Practice self-awareness Be socially aware Engage in teamwork

Top University Acceptances

American University Emerson College Auburn University Fordham University Bates College George Washington University Baylor University Georgetown University Boise State University University of Georgia Boston College Gonzaga University Boston University Indiana University Bloomington Cal Poly SLO Loyola Marymount University University of California, Berkeley Loyola University - Chicago University of California, Davis University of Miami University of California, Irvine University of Michigan University of California, Los Angeles Michigan State University University of California, Riverside New York University University of California, San Diego Northeastern University University of California, Santa Barbara Occidental College University of California, Santa Cruz University of Oregon Chapman University University of Pennsylvania Clemson University Parsons School of Design University of Colorado Boulder Pennsylvania State University Cornell University Pepperdine University Dartmouth College Pitzer College

Pomona College Purdue University University of San Diego San Diego State University Santa Clara University Stanford University University of Southern California Southern Methodist University Stanford University Syracuse University University of Tennessee Texas A&M University Texas Christian University The University of Texas, Austin Tulane University University of Utah Vanderbilt University Villanova University Wake Forest University University of Washington University of Wisconsin

1540 Ralston Ave, Belmont, CA 94002 | 650.595.1913 | ndhsb.org | @ndbtigers