NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL BELMONT

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Message From The Principal

August, 2010

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

St. Julie Billiart, Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and our School Patron, described education as “uplifting, inspiring, a sharing in the teaching ministry of the Church, the most important work that can be done one 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 continues in great strength at Notre Dame, Belmont:

• All members of the Class of 2010 are enrolled in colleges and universities throughout the country (See School Profile), 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. Thirty-One Notre Dame students were named as Advanced Placement Scholars in 2009.
• All members of the Class of 2010 are enrolled in colleges and universities throughout the country (See School Profile), 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 2010, 55 students (40%) scored a 3 or higher on at least one Advanced Placement Test during their high school career.
• Three members of the Class of 2010 were named National Merit Commended Students, and two members were named National Hispanic Scholars by the College Board.
• 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 School in outstanding Tri-School Productions.
• Our 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 collaboration periods for Liturgies, activities, programs, and additional student-teacher contact opportunities during the school day.
• Our student/teacher ratio is 14:1, and our average class size is 21.
• Our Freshman Intensive Program supports incoming students who are benefiting from a focused learning environment for one block period in order to ensure their success in Notre Dame’s rigorous college preparatory program.

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 our ever-widening ring of generosity of alumnae, alumnae parents, current parents, faculty, 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