Notre Dame High School

What a waste of four years. Not once in my time at Notre Dame did the administration attempt to educate my «heart or mind». The power-​driven faculty who run the school value traditional 1800s culture, where one receives a detention for speaking their mind, where one must wear a skirt that goes down near their ankles, and where some teachers would rather get you in trouble than get you a diploma. Long after I’ve forgotten the English and the arithmetic and the religion curriculum, the only thing I will take away from Notre Dame is that you have no freedom. The board of Notre Dame effectively strips all individual freedoms from the student, and if you think I’m making this up, it’s actually printed in the student handbook that our rights get taken away. That being said, there are a few good teachers in the school who deserve to teach at a way better one, but if you are looking for a more pleasant board of directors, wait 10 years until the current administration blows over

I’ve always kind of had an issue with the way this school was run (I mean just look at the handbook, it’s so ridiculous it’s funny) but I didn’t feel that it had really become a problem until this year. Which happened to be my senior year. While I understand that yes, this is a private AND catholic institution that can instill their own rules and views different from public schools, there is still no excuse for some of the methods the administration uses to deal with certain issues and situations, especially in a disciplinary way. Yes, a «no tolerance» policy is good for maintaining obedience and a solid reputation amongst other schools, but when you instill fear into the student body and issue threats left and right, how can there be a good relationship between the students and the faculty? If the students can’t or won’t speak their minds and come to the administration with issues that are problematic to their school life, then how can our «hearts and minds» be «educated» Notre Dame? Please know that I am not insulting the school as a whole – there are some really awesome teachers out there whom I appreciate and love, and the existence of the Kairos retreat has singlehandedly changed my life. But I have extreme issues with the way this school is being run. For girls, what’s considered «dress code» basically perpetuates body shaming and makes it okay to single out and humiliate girls on a daily basis. It sends out a negative message that I don’t think is particularly helpful to growing teenage girls. Wearing thigh high socks is considered «scandalous», leggings are «inappropriate», spaghetti straps are «distracting» and headbands thicker than two inches are not allowed. Besides these examples, the administration constantly uses their position to exploit and tyrannically control student activity (instead of in a positive way), not to mention abolishing the right to petition 2 years ago because seniors advocated to start a GSA and spread positivity and awareness on campus. This is not all to say that I haven’t had good memories and made great friends here, but the truth is that this school needs a reality check before it gets worse.

If you can get into this school, go! Notre Dame is amazing. High school goes by so fast and ND knows how to pack as much love, knowledge and fun into these 4 years as possible. When they say they educate hearts and minds they are telling the truth. There is a loving and supportive community here that the kids are immersed in. The teachers are personally involved and give 1,000% of themselves. They are always updating with the latest technology and the most effective teaching techniques. The support staff is welcoming and happy and GREAT at their jobs. The principal, Stevie Connelly is at every event. She gives of herself 24 hours a day. The sports programs are first rate, the arts programs are inspiring. Jump in with both feet. Get involved, join mother’s guild. Insist your child do the retreats. My daughter is graduating this year so prepared for college and with a really wonderful group of friends thanks to Notre Dame.

This is a review of the summer sports camp only. Here are the good things: the price, around $ 250/​week and swimming every day. Lunch is included. And the facilities are super nice since it is a ritzy private school. Note it is mostly high school students who run this camp. Some of them sound like they need to assert their authority in unusual ways. Apparently for instance, my son faced repercussions for just touching the pitcher’s mound. Well, he didn’t know he wasn’t supposed to touch the mound. Also, kids have to do push-​ups if they don’t catch the ball. I am sure this isn’t the case with all the counselors. But some of it seems a little hard core for elementary age students. My son’s favorite part was diving for change in the pool on Fridays (I think it was). The change could then be turned in for candy. While neither my son nor I were overwhelmed with this camp, I think it is a decent option for a sporty kid.

I love this school. Being an alumni, this is one of the best schools around hands down. I met great friends that I am still in touch with to this day. They still have great alumni events and the teachers have always been great.

This is a very good school! The staff is great and you’ll make tons of new friends. Get your high school education here.

Graduated 07. Good memories. Cool and dedicated teachers. The school was finished their renovation by the time my year left and now they have a really clean and nice science building. The atmosphere and was nice and was a clean school with a few outdated buildings and rooms but hey, what school doesn’t have those. But they have more than a fair share of newer classroom and buildings with updated and nice equipment, I heard they have a bunch of new macs and other neat toys now.
Good school. Good times. Good breakfast burrito (well at least when I was there). Sold.
_​JoCo

Notre Dame. I have a feeling this place will always hold a special place in my heart. I was definitely one of those kids who was involved in everything. I was a member of the Band, ASB (Student Government), Campus Ministry, President of two clubs, a Guest Writer for the school paper, and I was also a member of Homecoming Court my senior year. I was one of those kids that went from Laurel Hall to ND so I had friends to start with and I made even more.
It is so hard to not get involved in some sort of extra curricular activity here. They have so much to offer. Being a college student, ND prepared me, and that’s all you want for your kid when they go to college right? Oscar is right, the tuition is about $ 10,000, but you really get your bang for your buck here. Also, don’t worry about the money, there are many ways for your student to go there.
Some of the finest teachers are here and some of the best coaches. I guess the program that I am most thankful for is the Band program. Mr. Combes has been teaching at ND for 41 years, and I have a feeling he will keep on going. He seriously knows his craft. With the band at ND you get so much out of it. You get great friends, good study skills/​time management and discipline. If it wasn’t for Band, my time at ND wouldn’t have been so special. Not to say the that other things that I was involved in weren’t!
Honestly, if you have a kid in the 7^th or 8^th grade, check out this school. I promise you will be happy.
And yes, being right next to a mall does have its perks especially when you have a late night band practice.
I know I am so thankful for my time here and everything that ND gave me. I wish that I could write more, but I have a feeling this Unilocal would be too long!

Ah, Notre Dame. I went there for 4 years and never learned the school song, but it was a good school. The mall being a block away has its benefits.
Especially the time when I was walking down the stairs in food court with one of my friends. He was holding his cup from the top and I told him he was going to spill it. Next thing I know, I see the cup fall out of his hand, bounce off the hand rail, hit him in the crotch, and splatter all over the floor. I was going to call him an idiot until I looked up. And to my amazement, and his shock, the girl had had a crush on was standing right in front of him and his wet pants, giggling. Seeing this I couldn’t help but laugh the hardest I ever have in my life.
Anyway, Notre Dame is a great high school.