Upper Level Viewbook 2020-2021 by Notre Dame Preparatory School

Happens Here TRANSFORMATION

AT NDP

N O T R E DA M E P R E PA R AT O R Y U P P E R L E V E L â€¢ G R A D E S

S C H O O L 9 - 1 2

BUILDING BRIDGES.

DEEPENING YOUR FAITH.

EXPANDING YOUR INTERESTS.

CHANGING THE WORLD. HAVING FUN.

s a Notre Dame Preparatory

School high school student, you will be inspired, challenged, and supported to reach your full potential and change the world! NDPâ€™s curriculum provides both the essential skill development and rigorous academics required to gain admission into and succeed in the nationâ€™s leading colleges and universities. A personalized education provides breadth and depth of core courses, which are enhanced by electives in art, music, writing, economics, social justice, drama, STEAM, and more. Co-curricular life in the Upper Level teems with activities that foster passions, uncover interests, and cultivate friendships for life. Faith formation, an extensive service program, countless clubs, beloved traditions, and competitive athletics combine to complement the academic program and to provide an experience that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.

NDP

fast facts

Where Girls Become Women Who Transform the World MISSION STATEMENT

NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL educates and empowers girls to become

women who transform the world. As a Catholic, independent, college preparatory

school for girls in grades 6 through 12, Notre Dame Prep inspires students to pursue academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the practice of justice. 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)

SCHOOL HISTORY FOUNDED IN 1873 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, a teaching order from Germany, Notre Dame Preparatory School is one of Baltimore’s oldest For more information about NDP, go to 2

Catholic, college preparatory schools for girls. Originally located on Charles Street, NDP moved to Towson, north of Baltimore, in 1960.

FACULTY • 9:1 Student:Teacher ratio • 100, including School Sisters of Notre Dame and lay faculty • Nearly 90% hold advanced degrees

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CAMPUS 60 ACRES situated in beautiful Dulaney Valley; three classroom wings; a new, state-of-the-art Innovation Wing featuring a medical suite with a full-size Anatomage table, design labs, Fabrication lab, art studios, galleries and more; renovated 1,000 seat auditorium with new sound and

TUITION

lighting system, performing arts center with new

(for 2020-2021)

dance studio; Sports & Fitness Center; five athletic

$20,590; books cost $300-

fields, including a three-sport turf field, six tennis

400 per year (used books

courts, swimming pool.

available); laptop cost varies; NDP encourages families to purchase their own. Fees vary by grade and range from $300-$700 per year.

COLLEGE PLACEMENT NEARLY 90% OF THE CLASS OF 2020 earned more than $28 million in

FINANCIAL AID GATEWAY MERIT and Talent program awards as well as need-based financial aid available.

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merit scholarships.

For more information about financial aid, visit the â€œAdmissionsâ€? tab at s

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LEARNING

he liberal arts, namely those courses

essential for solid college preparation,

anchor a Notre Dame Prep education. English, science, math, history, religion, language, and other foundational subjects combine to provide the skills to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve problems creatively. These core courses ground students academically so they may delve into personal interests through focused programs such as STEAM, Humanities, and fine and performing arts. All told, 190 courses are offered, as well as 24 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, all designed for college and beyond. The skills our students gain at NDP—analysis, evaluation, communication, ethical decision making, and more—are with them for life and encompass what colleges and employers seek. Notre Dame embraces the mandate to educate young women to transform the world, a mission inspired by the school’s founding order, the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Leading the way is NDP’s outstanding faculty and staff, who help students succeed in rigorous courses while making them interesting and, yes, fun!

PHASING SYSTEM Unique to NDP is a multi-phased approach to learning which helps to foster an Phase 2 courses emphasize strengthening in specific areas. Phase 3 is for the aboveaverage student. Phase 4 is for the accelerated student and includes Honors courses, while Phase 5 describes the Advanced Honors and AP program. Notre Dame Prep’s grading system is based on a traditional 4.0 system. Grades in Phases 4 and 5, as well as AP courses, are weighted.

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS Humanities The Bette Ellis O’Conor Humanities Program comprises a community of scholars dedicated to intellectual pursuit that transcends the boundaries of usual study. The program integrates curricula that are normally separated, allowing students to study in a collegial and dynamic environment that elicits passion for ideas and learning. An exciting alternative course of study in which interdisciplinary connections are the goal, the Humanities Program allows students to explore the relationships between disciplines, particularly art, English, music, religion, and social studies. The program encourages dialogue and diversity of perspective by encouraging students to examine critical issues and ideas.

www.notredameprep.com/Humanities-at-NDP

experience customized to the ability of each student. All phases are college preparatory.

For more information about Humanities at NDP, go to s 4

STEAM Notre Dame Prep takes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to a new level with STEAM: STEM + Art = STEAM. NDP’s STEAM program develops students’ creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial leadership skills through innovative instructional approaches and real-world learning experiences. The program has a dedicated STEAM director and a new Innovation Wing providing programs where students gain hands-on experience using cutting-edge technology in architecture and 3-D design, computer science, engineering, and medicine. The program allows students to engage in design-build projects and experiences using the latest tools and technology in all areas of STEAM. Students accepted to NDP’s STEAM program may elect a course pathway that best meets their career encourages the exploration of courses in each of the STEAM disciplines, or they may specialize to focus their studies in Medical Careers, Engineering & Manufacturing, Computer Science, or Architecture & Design. As they progress through the program and pursue their STEAM Certificate, students cultivate their confidence and 21st-century career skills by engaging in interdisciplinary, experiential learning opportunities; receiving mentorship from professionals in STEAM fields; serving local and global communities to address realworld problems; and, interning with one of NDP’s many partner organizations.

www.notredameprep.com/STEAM

interests. They may choose to follow a general path that

For more STEAM information, go to s

Visual and Performing Arts Visual and performing arts are foundational to Notre Dame Preparatory School’s mission of educating young women to transform the world. Drawing on the conviction that creativity and self-expression fuel intellectual growth and personal development, NDP provides countless outlets for the artist in all. • NDP’s Music Department offers credited courses in Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Piano, Guitar, and AP Music Theory. Students may also participate in the school’s extracurricular private lessons. • The Art Department offers courses in various media, giving each student the For more information about NDP arts, go to s 6

opportunity to have a range of art experiences and to pursue continued study of art in consecutive years. In addition, students may study art history, medical illustration, architecture, and digital media. • With a dual emphasis on both technical and artistic training, NDP’s Dance Program presents basic movement, dance fitness, ballet, modern, and jazz. Students have opportunities to perform throughout the school year at designated assemblies or as part of the NDP Dance Team. • Each year NDP produces a full-scale musical in the fall and a school play in the spring. Recent performances have included The Little Mermaid, Once on this Island, Sister Act, Once Upon a Mattress, Cinderella, and Bye Bye Birdie!, as well as award-winning productions of 26 Pebbles; These Shining Lives; Up the Down Staircase; Pride and Prejudice; and Romeo and Juliet.

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THE WIN EXPERIENCE: EDUCATE. EMPOWER. INSPIRE. While academic excellence is central to Notre Dame Prep’s mission, not all learning occurs in the classroom. The Women In…(WIN) Experience places students in career settings so they may pursue interests and engage in hands-on, real-world opportunities. Students explore career possibilities, gain work experience, and become 21st-century global citizens. To date, nearly 1,500 girls have held

www.notredameprep.com/WIN

Learn More at t

WIN placements in science, medicine, law, math, and business, with more expected each year as new

TECHNOLOGY Technology at NDP enhances teaching, motivates learning, and prepares students to meet the technological demands of higher education and the workplace. Faculty members use technology to foster the 21st-century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. Throughout a campuswide wireless environment, technology is woven into the NDP curriculum, ensuring students receive an education adaptable to whatever path their lives take after graduation. All incoming grade nine students are required to have laptops, either “bring your own” or purchased through the NDP program, and to attend a summer laptop workshop. Laptop specifications are provided to incoming students and their families during the Admissions decision period.

www.notredameprep.com/technology

career tracks are added.

For more information, go to s

NotreDamePrep AT THE HEART OF

THE STUDENT: The focus of Notre Dame is the student. Her education, personal growth, and ultimate transformation into a woman who can change the world is our greatest motivation.

THE CLASSROOM: Each classroom is a safe place for students to explore ideas, stretch intellect, question, create, and communicate. Our phasing system ensures each girl learns at a pace that’s best for her.

THE TEACHERS: Dedicated, tireless, enthusiastic…NDP teachers serve as guides on an intellectual journey which continues beyond NDP. Time and again our graduates report they are supremely prepared for college.

TECHNOLOGY: From the first day of laptop workshop, every Upper Level student uses powerful technology to advance her learning. In all aspects of the curriculum, technology complements teaching.

OPPORTUNITIES: Internships in science, business, math, and law…Student clubs providing chances for leadership…Personal expression and performance…Athletic competition…all designed for personal transformation.

TRANSFORMATION: At the core of NDP’s mission is transformation— of the person and ultimately the world. We do this through education—in the classroom, through service, on the playing field, through community.

SPIRITUALITY: Faith expression enables the Notre Dame community to share God’s love and the transforming, healing, and inspiring power that accompanies it.

SERVICE: More than a graduation requirement, service is a way of life. It is not what one does in service but how one is changed by service that is at the heart of our program.

JUSTICE: Central to Notre Dame’s service mission is moving students from acts of charity to works of justice. Students recognize issues of injustice and work toward systemic change.

COMMUNITY: It has been said, “There’s a spirit about this place.” The Notre Dame Prep community centers on mutual appreciation, respect, joy, and honoring the God in all. For many, NDP is a second home, and all are welcome.

TRADITIONS: Walking through the Gateway, Gym Meet, Tree Trim, Junior Ring Day, red roses and white gowns at Graduation…from the deeply spiritual to the “just for fun,” traditions define the Notre Dame Prep student experience.

SISTERHOOD: Forged in the day-to-day moments, long-standing traditions, faith and service exploration, and the special occasions, sisterhood makes for life-time friendships and connects Notre Dame women across generations.

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FAITH FORMATION

otre Dame Prep is a caring, welcoming, faith-based

community rooted in the Catholic tradition. Religion classes, taken all four years, provide a strong foundation in Catholicism as well as introduce world religions and philosophy, cultivating an environment where all religions are respected, and students of all faiths are affirmed. A vibrant student-led Campus Ministry program fosters the development of personal and communal spirituality and an informed conscience. Through our emphasis on peer ministry, students experience a sense of shared spirituality in all

For more information, go to the â€œStudent Lifeâ€? tab at s 10

aspects of school life. Faith life at NDP centers on prayer, liturgy, and retreats. Each school day begins and ends with special prayers. Regular prayer services, including those during Advent and Lent, bring together the community for purposeful reflection. The community regularly comes together to celebrate liturgy, the cornerstone of Notre Dame, on holy days and before special NDP events. Class retreats offer a safe place for students to explore and share Christian spirituality and personal growth as young women.

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SOCIAL JUSTICE

DP’s service and justice

programs aim to change those

systems which inherently prove unjust to individuals, societies, and the world. Ultimately, direct service, or charity, is an immediate response to suffering and can address individual needs, such as poverty, medical or educational needs, and homelessness. Justice, or social change, is rooted in advocacy work that seeks to change systemic, structural, or institutional constructs, such as politics and corporate practices. Both service and justice work are rooted in the Gospel, and both are integral to NDP’s philosophy and the charism of the school’s founding order, the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Through our age-appropriate program, students have and internationally with a host of organizations. As part of our service requirement, students are to focus on supporting marginalized communities. Interwoven into the school’s academic and spiritual environment, service and justice activities, as the mission states, “empower girls to become women who transform the world.”

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opportunities to serve locally, regionally,

For more information, go to the “Student Life” tab at s

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SUCCESS

otre Dame Preparatory School students graduate poised to succeed in college

and beyond! Because 100% of graduates continue with higher education, we focus on guiding the Notre Dame student and her family in the college selection and application process, starting in freshman year and continuing through to graduation. A complete college counseling timeline, plus numerous counseling resources may be found at www.notredameprep.com/ College-and-Personal-Counseling.

CLASS OF 2020 STATISTICS 131 graduates; 100% college acceptance; more than $28 million in college scholarships awarded to nearly 90% of the class. Score

Evidenced Based Reading and Writing (EBRW)

Math

700–800

600–690

500–590

400–490

300–390

200–290

645

625

NDP Mean Middle 50%

1170/1360

Mean Total

1270

ACT Results (of 76 Taking Test) Middle 50% Range Mean

English

24-34

28.6

Math

23-28

25.8

Reading

22-33

28.5

Science

22-29

26.0

STEM

0-0

3.4

Writing

0-8

6.0

23-30

27.1

Composite

To see where NDP graduates go to college, go to www.notredameprep.com/Class-Stats

Notre Dame Prep College Counselors work closely with students and their parents, guiding them through the college process. Individual meetings, seminar classes, a college essay seminar, and standardized testing opportunities are offered. Furthermore, the college essay is integrated into the classroom experience. Our counselors attend national professional conferences, seminars, and workshops, and they are well informed on topics such as financial aid, college admissions, and NCAA eligibility standards. They meet regularly with high school counselors from area independent schools sharing information regarding the college admission process. During the year, the college counselors host college admission personnel and frequently visit college admission offices to discuss current admission trends, university admission requirements, Division 1 athletics, financial aid resources, and scholarship programs.

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EXPLORATION

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Whether your passion is student government, singing in the chorus, building robots, or serving others, there is a club or activity for you at Notre Dame! Recently, NDP added a cybersecurity club, a Women in Medicine Club, affinity groups, and a DiversityEquity-Inclusion council to its club offerings. From athletics to service to dances and more, a strong extracurricular program nurtures leadership, creativity, confidence, and camaraderie in NDP girls.

TRADITIONS Any Notre Dame Prep student or alumna will tell you that traditions matter here. From retreats to Ring Day to Gym Meet to graduation, traditions enrich life at NDP. Some activities, like the grade-versus-grade competition Gym Meet, are decades old, while others, like the cardboard boat races, are newer. All enrich school life and create life-long memories.

ATHLETICS See yourself winning the league championship, supporting the intramurals teams, or heading to Division I competition. NDP athletes receive from their sports participation the gifts of winning and losing with grace, achieving a personal best, and realizing a job well done is often the greatest victory. Nearly half of NDP Upper Level students participate in athletics. A Varsity and Junior Varsity team is available for all sports. Teams hold tryouts to determine which level of play best matches the current skill level of the participant. Read more about NDP athletics at s 14

Notre Dame is a member of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) and fields teams in all sports sanctioned by the IAAM. A full-time athletic trainer works with teams and athletes to ensure safety and peak performance. From the Class of 2020, five students signed National Letters of Intent to play for Division I sports at Fordham University, University of Pennsylvania, St. Louis University, Wake Forest University, and Johns Hopkins University; an additional six students from the class committed to playing at Division II and Division III schools. In 2019-2020, NDP’s tennis and indoor track teams garnered IAAM championship titles. Other recent championships have been secured in badminton, field hockey, lacrosse, and volleyball.

www.notredameprep.com

www.notredameprep.com/Traditions