Notre Dame Preparatory School
Middle Level
It’s All Here…
Welcome to Notre Dame Prep!
Each student has her own strengths, passions, and style. To reach her best potential, she may need assistance at different times during the middle school years, and the center was built to offer such personalized academic support.
Seton 65 wooded acres and ranked as the #1 Girls Catholic School in the Baltimore area, our campus offers a captivating, inspiring, and safe space to start your middle school journey.
MIDDLE
YEARDLEY LOVE FIELD
23,500 sq. ft. STEAM-centric facility housing NDP’s CyberCenter, state-of-the-art science and bio-technology lab, two-story Fabrication Laboratory (a.k.a. Fab Lab), Architecture Studio, Digital Media Lab, Recording Studio, and dedicated Humanities Classrooms.
WNDP MIDDLE LEVEL NEWS STUDIO
BATZA & SIMON ACADEMIC SERVICES AND ENRICHMENT CENTER
JANE KROH SATTERFIELD INNOVATION WING
KIRBY WING
BETTE ELLIS O’CONOR HUMANITIES WING
MOTHER PHILEMON DOYLE LIBRARY
CHAPEL
CAFÉ NDP
Catholic faith is the cornerstone of an NDP education. Students of all faiths are invited to grow their spirituality individually and together.
THE GATEWAY
AUDITORIUM
KNOTT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
POOL
Unique to Notre Dame Preparatory School, introduction to swimming, water safety, and lifeguarding classes are part of our curriculum. In the spring, the pool transforms into a stage for the annual Eighth-Grade Synchronized Swim Show—a creative blend of music, choreography, and theatre.
SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTER
THE TRADING POST
On-campus school store offering clothing, hats, school supplies, and snacks to our students and families.
Holding over 1,000 guests, this state-of-theart space hosts all-school liturgies, assemblies, dance, music, and theatre performances, as well as guest speakers and special presentations.
New students in sixth grade walk through the Gateway when they are officially welcomed to the school. Upon graduation, they walk under the Gateway again after their commencement, symbolizing their entry into the world beyond Notre Dame Prep.
With studios and performance spaces, this is the heart of performing arts on campus. Offering instruction in ballet, guitar, jazz band, piano, chamber choir, and more, students have many outlets to express their creativity and passions.
Unrivaled
Notre Dame Prep’s Middle Level provides middle school girls with opportunities in age-appropriate academic rigor and responsibility. This preparation involves a holistic approach to education, one that challenges, inspires, and engages the mind, body, and spirit so each student may achieve the fullness of her God-given potential.
NDP faculty take the time to know each student and are able to provide the instruction and support she needs to grow as a Middle Level student and transition seamlessly into high school.
Academics
ACADEMICS AT A GLANCE
I love Social Studies because my teacher made class so fun with group projects, games, and even Social Studies jokes.
~Alexandra L.
My favorite class is pre-algebra. Math is challenging, but I always feel proud when I solve the problem I’ve been stuck on.
~Grace S.
• Expert faculty—nearly 90% hold advanced degrees
• Small classes—9:1 studentto-teacher ratio
• Honors courses in English, math, and language
• Advisory Program
• Global Languages— Latin, French, Spanish, and Chinese
• Science-TechnologyEngineering-Art-Math (STEAM) Program
• Innovate & Design Time (IDT)—ungraded, selfled project time to foster creativity and discovery
• Dedicated Middle Level counselor and learning specialist
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program
• State-of-the-art facilities— three-story, 23,500 sq.ft. Innovation Wing with Digital Media Center, CyberCenter, Fabrication Lab, and Recording Studio
Unbreakable Bonds. Unlimited Opportunities.
Athletics in the Middle Level focuses on skill-building, sportsmanship, teamwork, team strategies, and FUN. NDP strives for a no-cut policy, enabling students to build on previous experiences or explore a new athletic interest.
Girls learn much more than sports skills through their participation in athletics. They benefit from the values of discipline, selflessness, and hard work that come from team participation. The act of pursuing and attaining a team goal offers a unique learning opportunity. Through athletics, girls develop courage as they take risks, strength as they build their bodies, intensity while exhibiting graciousness, and mental and physical endurance.
While the focus is to facilitate the development of each girl’s athletic potential, the greater hope is to instill a deep feeling of camaraderie and selfconfidence.
Faith in Action
Infused with the spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, the NDP community strives to answer God’s call “…to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God.”
(Micah 6:8)
May Crowning ceremony
Weekly chapel meetings
Guided meditations
Annual class retreats
Card-making for
SERVICE ACTIVITIES
Notre Dame Prep is a welcoming, Catholic community rooted in the mission of our founding religious order, the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Our faith expression is centered on sharing and spreading God’s love and the good news of Jesus Christ. Our Catholic identity fuels our pursuit of love, justice, and wisdom.
Age-appropriate service opportunities exist for girls in all grade levels. These opportunities hone leadership skills, encourage compassion, and instill a sense of responsibility.
Christmas family collection for Marian House
Visit SSND residents at Stella Maris
“Blessing Bags” for Sarah’s Hope Family Shelter, Marian House, Helping Up Mission
Blanket-making for children at St. Vincent’s Villa
military families and retired SSNDs
Visits to Stella Maris
Ready to Lead
Leadership is a natural part of NDP’s Middle Level experience. In an all-girls environment, students are offered countless opportunities to lead—whether through the Ambassador Leadership Organization, Student Government, clubs, or on athletic teams.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
• Student Government Presidents and Officers
• Admissions Ambassadors
• Advisory Representatives
• Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-Belonging Council
• WNDP News Crew
• Club Leaders
• Athletic Team Captains
• And MORE…
1. Leadership opportunities
2. Public speaking experience
3. Chances to plan and organize events
4. Opportunities to expand cultural and educational interests
TOP FIVE REASONS TO JOIN A CLUB
Notre Dame Prep girls join—and lead—more than two dozen clubs and interest groups. Nearly every NDP girl belongs to at least one club, organization, or sports team.
5. Many ways to have fun with friends!
Categories of clubs range from cultural to religious to service to social. Students never hesitate to start a new group when they find they have interests in common. Is there a club you’d like to see at NDP? Grab some friends and start a new one!
Creative SparkIgniting Her
Whether she sings, dances, plays an instrument, or loves to draw and paint, each Middle Level student has the opportunity to stand out through our performing and visual arts programs.
Students take performing arts all three years, allowing each girl to discover new interests and develop hidden talents. Art is offered twice a week in all grades.
Each year, the Middle Level musical provides opportunities to perform or work on stage crew. In addition, music and dance students take workshops, compete in adjudications, and perform for friends and families throughout the year.
PERFO R MANCE
During NDP’s annual Art Week, Middle Level students draw on their personal style, innovative ideas, and creative engineering to design a collection of wearable dresses made from 100% recycled materials in the Middle Made Design Challenge. The annual runway show that culminates this project is much beloved and replete with high-stepping models, trendy music, and cheering classmates!
The Spring Art Show displays visual fine arts work of Middle Level in a variety of mediums including but not limited to mandala, self-portraiture, wire art, ceramics, string art, and more. At this event, the leaders of the Middle Level, our eighth grade students, showcase individual Art Capstone Projects. The evening culminates in a performance by Middle Level choral and instrumental musicians.
Chorus Band Orchestra Piano Lab Dance
CREATIVITY UNLOCKED
• Middle Made Design Challenge
• Spring Art Show and annual Art Week
• Choral, Band, and Piano recitals and performances
• Extracurricular dance program with performances and competitions
• Annual Broadway-style musical
• 1,000+ seat auditorium for musical, dance, and theatrical productions
• Annual Music in the Parks adjudication competition at Hershey Park
Innovation Starts at NDP
Creative problem solving, hands-on learning, and multi-sensory activities come together in NDP’s Middle Level Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program. In a dedicated Innovation Lab, students develop 21st-century learning skills, connect information across subjects, and learn about possible STEAM careers for women. Leading this program is a designated STEAM director and enthusiastic, talented faculty who work collaboratively to make learning meaningful and fun.
The interdisciplinary nature of Middle Level STEAM fully prepares middle school students for work at the high school level.
STEAM COMPETITIONS AND ACTIVITIES
• Competitive Robotics Team
• Johns Hopkins University Tower of Power Competition
• Math competitions
• NDP Annual Egg Drop Competition
• Math Counts Competition
• Engineer ’s Club Workshops
• Connect the Dots USGBC Sustainability Challenge
• FBI Safe Online Surfing Competition
• Doodle4Google annual contest
• Middle Made Design Challenge
• “You Be the Chemist” Challenge sponsored by the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF)
• WNDP Production Studio
• Northrop Grumman’s Discover Engineering Program
• Quarterly STEAM challenges in each grade
INNOVATE & DESIGN TIME
Non-graded classes in:
• Digital Design
• Logic & Games
• Technology & Information Literacy
• Forensic Science
• World Music
• Digital Citizenship & Technology
• Digital Communications
• Computer coding
• Engineering & Architecture
• 3D-Printing & Physical Computing
• Robotics
• Handbell Choir
Forged in the dayto-day interactions, our Catholic faith, longstanding traditions, and special moments, the Notre Dame Prep experience makes for lifelong friendships. As a student here, you are immediately part of a large and loving sisterhood.
“
There is a spirit about this place.”
Every Girl is Known
Notre Dame Preparatory School is committed to academic success for all students. Whether she is navigating her first year of middle school, working through a challenging time, or preparing her next step into high school, each student at NDP has access to valuable resources designed to support her needs and achieve her goals.
LIBRARY
The Mother Philemon Doyle Library is foundational to the school’s academic program. Two full-time Librarians partner with teachers to customize support materials and resources for classwork and research projects. With more than 35,000 circulating items, trustworthy reference materials, 24/7 access to more than 30 databases, and a comprehensive collection of eBooks, students in all grade levels can access up-to-date, relevant information for all their academic projects.
BATZA & SIMON ACADEMIC SERVICES & ENRICHMENT CENTER
NDP’s staff of Learning Specialists support all students in all areas of academic challenge. Additionally, Math, Reading, and Writing Specialists provide support services. Students with and without a documented disability can easily access the center and a Learning Specialist throughout the school day. Services* offered may include but are not limited to:
• Developing formal education plans for students with a documented diagnosis
• Reviewing skills and strategies
• Offering additional support in math, reading, and writing
• Assisting with time management, study skills, and organization
SUPPORT WHERE YOU NEED, HOW YOU NEED
• Offering individual and small group help as well as consultation with classroom teachers and counselors
• Accommodating requests for extended time testing for classroom and standardized testing
*Some services include a fee to be determined based on the level of need
COUNSELING AND WELLNESS
A dedicated Middle Level counselor meets with the 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students in a classroom setting each week. The curriculum includes developmentally appropriate discussion topics such as adjustment to middle school, issues of early adolescence, academic support, and general concerns. NDP’s dedicated Wellness Counselor supports the additional socialemotional needs current students face such as self-advocacy, confidence building, conflict resolution, and stress and anxiety management. Wellness programming is built into the student experience with wellness, activities, and assemblies scheduled throughout the year.
Honoring the past. Transforming the future.
When you step onto Notre Dame Preparatory School’s campus, you become part of a story that began over 150 years ago. Much has changed since the days of Notre Dame of Maryland Institute for Young Ladies which opened in 1873. Much has stayed the same. The traditions we honor unite us. Everything you experience at NDP— from the Gateway Ceremony during the first month of school, to the candlelight Christmas Liturgy, to the adrenaline-pumping countdown to Field Day—will remind you of this: you are part of a large and loving sisterhood that shares your passions and commitment.
The Notre Dame Prep community centers on mutual appreciation, respect, joy, and honoring God in all. For many, NDP is a second home where students can fit in and stand out.
Forming lifelong friendships through cherished traditions like the Halloween Parade, Tree Trim, and the Grade 8 Swim Show; showing off your school spirit at Field Day; making a positive impact on your community through service; experiencing personal growth through spiritual retreats; sharing memories with a network of over 10,000 alumnae worldwide—these are the tenets that define a Notre Dame Prep education.
Investing in Your Daughter’s Future
For more than 150 years, Notre Dame Prep students have experienced a transformational education.
Notre Dame Prep seeks to enroll the most qualified and dynamic students whose families understand and embrace the mission and vision of the school. To achieve this goal, NDP is committed to providing financial options and assistance for families of all situations.
TUITION 2024-2025
• Grades 6-8: $23,600
• Parent Association: $125 per family
• Activity fees: Dependent upon grade level, elective choices, and athletic participation
FINANCIAL GRANTS & AID
For need-based financial aid, NDP uses FACTS Grant & Aid and Assessment, a streamlined, mobile-friendly application that families can complete in less than 30 minutes.
Anyone wanting to be considered for needbased aid needs to submit a financial aid application to FACTS between November 1 and January 1 of the enrollment year. Need-based financial aid is granted after a thorough review of the family’s completed FACTS application. All aid is awarded on a yearly basis and is continued each subsequent year so long as the application is updated as required and FACTS continues to identify need. Students must be in good standing in all aspects of student life to maintain grants and scholarships received.
NDP’s need-based financial aid is comprised of grants and scholarships. All students who apply for financial assistance through FACTS will be considered for both. Scholarship availability
changes from year to year. Once enrolled, parents must update their application in FACTS each year in a timely manner to continue to receive grants or scholarships.
To be considered for financial assistance, the following must be submitted to FACTS by January 1 of the enrollment year.
1. A completed financial aid form sent to FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment. https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3FSCL
2. FACTS will ask for prior year W2s as we realize that current year W2s will not be available until the end of January. We do ask that when you receive your current year W2s, you upload them to FACTS.
All decisions on financial awards will be mailed to all grade 6 students in February, along with admissions decision letters. FACTS applications received after the January deadline will be reviewed only if funds are still available.
Financial aid is only available to incoming 6th graders.
MERIT & TALENT AWARDS FOR 6TH GRADE
Merit Awards
• NDP General Scholarship
• Gateway Academic Achievement Awards
• Saddle Shoe Award Talent Awards
• Creative Writing
• STEAM (Science-Technology-EngineeringArt-Mathematics)
• Band
• Orchestra
Entry for Notre Dame Preparatory School Middle Level Checklist
n Submit an Inquiry
n Schedule Your Blazer Day
n Visit NDP at Open House: October 19, 2024, at 8:30 a.m.
n Register for Independent School Entrance Exam: December 14, 2024, at 8:30 a.m.
n Submit Application by December 20, 2024, at 4 p.m.
n Submit Transcript Release Form/Common Referral Form and Teacher Recommendations
n Share your Decision
n Submit Enrollment Contract and Deposit by March 7, 2025, at 4 p.m.
We are grateful for your interest in Notre Dame Preparatory School and look forward to working with you and your family as you make this important decision for your daughter(s). Please contact our dedicated Admissions team with any questions about the process.
Mrs. Kerry White ’84
Mrs. Susan Muller Director of Middle Level Admissions Admissions Database & Office Manager & Enrollment Management
Phone: 410-825-6202 ext. 1012
Email: Whitek@notredameprep.com
Phone: 410-825-6202 ext. 1013
Email: Mullers@notredameprep.com