NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL BELMONT

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Message From The Principal

August, 2011

Dear Alumnae, Parents, and Friends of Notre Dame High School,

St. Julie Billiart, the Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and our school Foundress, described Catholic education as ?uplifting, inspiring, a sharing in the teaching ministry of the Church, the most important work that can be done on earth.? My colleagues and I at Notre Dame, Belmont have inherited from St. Julie and her Sisters a wonderful legacy and an awesome responsibility - ?Teach your students whatever is necessary to prepare them for life.? With our excellent faculty, staff, and administration, our committed Board of Directors, and our generous alumnae, parents, and friends, the tradition of Catholic college preparatory education for young women in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur continues in great strength at Notre Dame, Belmont:

• All members of the Class of 2011 are enrolled in outstanding colleges and universities (see School Profile) throughout the country, and several of our graduates have received Honors at Entrance citations and a variety of academic scholarships.
• Our Advanced Placement Program offers our students college-level course opportunities in thirteen subject areas. In the Class of 2011, 60 students (45.5%) scored a 3 or higher on at least one Advanced Placement Test during their high school career. Twenty-nine Notre Dame students were named as Advanced Placement Scholars in 2011.
• One member of the Class of 2011 was named a National Merit Finalist, and one member was named a National Merit Commended Student.
• Our strong commitment to the Visual and Performing Arts is beyond compare in this challenging economic climate. We continue to offer multiple levels of classes in Art, Sculpture, Chorus, Dance, Photography, Advanced Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Advanced Placement Art History, and Video Production, and our students participate with their peers from Junipero Serra and Mercy High Schools in outstanding Tri-School Productions.
• Our strong commitment to the spiritual development and religious education of our students remains a critical priority as we dedicate highly qualified and faith-filled personnel to our Religious Studies and Campus Ministry programs in order ?to develop responsible young women of active faith, strong intellect, and Christian leadership? (Mission Statement).
• In our Modified Block Schedule our young women are experiencing extended learning periods that enable their teachers to maximize student focus and retention in a less stressful learning environment which also includes opportunities for collaboration periods for Liturgies, activities, special programs, and additional student-teacher contact during the school day.
• Our student/teacher ratio is 14:1, and our average class size is 21.
• Our extracurricular, co-curricular, and athletic programs provide numerous opportunities for our young women to develop the important life skills of leadership, goal setting, teamwork, fair play, and cooperation. Our Volleyball Team earned NorCal Finalist status, our Basketball Team won the CCS Division IV Championship, and the NDB Cheer Team once again earned the First Place Trophy in the USA Nationals competition.
• Our Empowered for Success Program supports students with a diagnosed learning difference(s); inspires students to take charge of their education; and teaches students self-advocacy skills. Housed in the St. Julie Billiart Center in Room 118, this innovative program offers a large range of technological resources and tools that provide our very motivated students with all of the necessary skills to succeed in college and in life.

With your continued involvement and support, Notre Dame High School will embrace the future?s abundant promise with great enthusiasm, vision, and prayer in the spirit of St. Julie Billiart and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Together in this ever-widening ring of generosity of alumnae, alumnae parents, current parents, faculty, administrators, staff, friends, foundations, and corporations, we will continue to sustain a learning community whose hallmarks include caring, challenge, collaboration, and connection in the interest of developing our young women to their fullest potential and providing a moral context that will serve them well all of their lives.

Sincerely,

Rita Gleason '66
Principal