ND Viewbook

A WO R L D O F E D U C AT I O N

BE IRISH

Be cool.Be you.

Choosing a school is the most important decision you and your child will make.

With so many options, how do you find the one that suits you best? Your values will point you in the right direction. If you place high regard on academics within a Catholic environment, but also desire opportunities to perform, compete and lead in a “worldly” environment, Notre Dame may be exactly what you’re looking for.

Be Irish!

Notre Dame because…

• You want to be unique.

• You want to get a head start on college.

• You want to be academically challenged.

• You want multiple extracurricular opportunities.

• You want to serve your community.

• You want to grow in faith.

• You want academic choices.

• You want to fit in.

• You want to stand out.

• You want to have fun.

• You want to be where “it’s cool to be smart.”

If you want all these things, read on.

Notre Dame begins with

As a college-preparatory school, our goal is to make all our students ready for the next step in their educational lives. Here, students from junior kindergarten to twelfth grade are

the end in mind.

challenged yet nurtured, stretched yet supported. Here, with our guidance, they prepare themselves for success at some of the finest institutions in the United States and the world. As an International Baccalaureate World School, Notre Dame is committed to helping our students become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, openminded, caring, risk takers, balanced, reflective. These characteristics ensure Notre Dame graduates will have every opportunity to make a difference in our ever-changing world.

Prepared Many schools use the term “college prep” haphazardly.

Notre Dame uses it with conviction. When we say “college prep,” we mean preparing students for success at schools like the University of Michigan, one of the most prestigious public universities in the U.S., and the University of Notre Dame, the most prestigious Catholic institution in the country.

By setting our standards with these universities in mind, we are assured that our students will be able to handle with confidence the expectations of any fouryear college to which they matriculate, including those in the Ivy League. Notre Dame routinely sees 100 percent of its graduating seniors accepted to four-year institutions. Over the last five years, our senior classes have averaged a 26.5 on the ACT (Michigan state average is 20.1; U.S. average is 21.1). Notre Dame seniors also have earned an average of $12.5 million in scholarships over the last five years.

A sample of high-profile, out-of-state schools to which Notre Dame students have been accepted in the last five years: • University of Chicago • Stanford • Cal Tech • Northwestern • Johns Hopkins • Washington University • Notre Dame • Vanderbilt • Emory • Georgetown • Cal Berkeley • Carnegie Mellon • UCLA • USC • Wake Forest • Boston College • New York University • Georgia Tech

Both endeavors allow students to apply their acquired knowledge and demonstrate a deeper understanding and care of issues important in their lives. At the upper division, students have access to both International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement courses (AP).

On a yearly basis, Notre Dame offers an average of 15 AP classes, more than most other schools in the state of Michigan.

Notre Dame was the first Catholic school in the nation to offer the IB, which is available to students through the two-year Diploma Programme and also on an “a la carte” basis.

College-level courses range from Literature, Psychology and Statistics, to Biology, Spanish and Visual Art. On average, no less than 75 percent of our students each year graduate with college credit from successfully completing their AP coursework and required year-end exam. It is not uncommon for Notre Dame students to begin college as second-semester freshmen or first-semester sophomores after earning multiple credits through AP and/or IB classes.

Challenged

At Notre Dame, students are expected to stretch themselves. As an example of our commitment to higher-level thinking, all students in the lower division finish their careers in the IB Primary Years Programme by completing an Exhibition project.

Middle-division students build the foundation for executing their IB Personal Project at the end of the Middle Years Programme in 10th grade.

Notre Dame students are exposed to traditional and modern courses of study.

In addition to English, mathematics and a full complement of science courses, students may take classes such as: • Accounting • Anatomy • Astronomy • Computer Aided Design (CAD) • Digital Media / Web Design • Entrepreneurship / Marketing • Mythology • Photography • 20th Century Conflict

The range of course offerings gives students an opportunity to explore wider interests beyond the “three Rs” and introduces them to subjects more commonly found on college campuses.

Global Notre Dame is the first Catholic school in the state of Michigan to be authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School, and is the only Catholic school in the country to offer the IB at all three levels: Primary Years Programme (JK-5), Middle Years Programme (6-10), and Diploma Programme (11-12).

At its core, IB presents a less-traditional and more modern approach to teaching and learning, an approach that encourages students to think more deeply about languages, sciences and humanities, and to be more internationally minded. Gone are the days of the memory game; IB allows students to look at subjects differently and from a more global perspective, considering the interconnectivity of all disciplines. This method helps students become lifelong learners as they continually build upon their broad base of understanding.

The culminating piece of the IB continuum is the Diploma Programme. NDP students must apply to this rigorous, two-year course of study in their sophomore year, and those who satisfactorily complete their classes and assessments will earn an IB diploma. In Michigan, students who graduate with an IB diploma automatically are admitted as sophomores in many colleges and universities.

Dynamic Picture a school where the varsity quarterback sings in the choir, where the pianist at school liturgies is the student body president, where a wrestler plays the lead in the school play. Picture Notre Dame, where students “bounce” from social group to social group without being pigeonholed or labeled.

At Notre Dame, it’s cool to be smart.

At Notre Dame, it’s cool to be an athlete.

At Notre Dame, it’s cool to be an artist.

At Notre Dame, it’s cool to be all those things at the same time.

Students at Notre Dame have a multitude of opportunities to meet new friends and nurture existing relationships through common extracurricular interests. These activities allow our scholars, athletes and artists to become the balanced and wellrounded people they strive to be.

A sampling of extracurricular activities at Notre Dame’s upper division: • Computer Club • Creative Writing Club • Debate • Environmental Club • Improv Club • Math Club • National Honor Society • Newspaper: The Leprechaun • Optimist Club • Philosophy Club • Robotics • S.A.D.D. • Student Council • Venture Crew A sampling of extracurricular activities and competitions at the middle and lower divisions: • Destination Imagination • Drama Club • F.I.R.S.T. Lego League • Forensics • Michigan Mathematics League • National Geographic Bee • National Junior Honor Society • Student Council • Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl • WordMasters Challenge

Giving Students at Notre Dame are expected to put their faith into action, to give of themselves in service to others in need.

This expectation begins as early as junior kindergarten, when students first take part in Make it Matter Day. Though Notre Dame’s Department of Campus Ministry coordinates countless Christian service initiatives throughout the calendar year, each fall the student body dedicates one day to assist our local and global communities.

Make it Matter projects have included: • Greeting cards for veterans and members of the armed forces • Activity packets for children in hospitals • Fleece blankets for the homeless • Pillowcase dresses for girls in Africa • Seasonal decorations for senior centers Upper-division students are able to put their faith into action even more so by serving on any of a number of Peer Ministry committees, including: • Liturgy Commission • Retreat Commission • Service Commission • Mentoring Program

Faithful Notre Dame is proud of its Marist roots, which can be traced to Lyon, France, and the Society of Mary’s founding in 1816 by Fr. Jean-Claude Colin. Marist Fathers and Brothers live a community life, make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and actively serve God’s people.

The principal works of the Society include education, parish work, chaplaincy work, and foreign missions. Marists attempt to spread the Good News of Jesus in Mary’s way: gently, humbly, generously. Students at Notre Dame are taught in the Marist Way. Each student takes religion class every semester, attends all-school liturgies, and participates in multiple Christianservice activities throughout the year.

While Catholicism is integral to Notre Dame and its mission, the school is welcoming to students and families of all faiths, both Christian and non-Christian.

The Venerable Jean-Claude Colin, s.m., founded the Society of Mary (Marists) in 1836 and was elected its first superior general. He envisioned a world where all people would “live Mary’s life” in their time and make present the Holy Spirit as modeled in Mary’s life of grace.

In 2013, the Marists celebrated 150 years of ministry in North America.

Athletic As competitors in the tradition-rich Detroit Catholic High School League, Notre Dame students have the opportunity to challenge themselves at a high level in a wide array of sports. Approximately 70 percent of our students compete on a sports team during their time at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame’s commitment to building a program focused on winning the right way without sacrificing the mission of the school has received praise and is considered a model for peer institutions.

At Notre Dame, the athletics program reinforces the aims and goals of the academic program and is an integral part of the educational system designed to promote the physical, moral, spiritual and social development of the individual student. Furthermore, the athletics department is committed to providing the best facilities and equipment, and the most qualified coaching staff available.

Sports at Notre Dame: • Baseball^ • Basketball • Cheerleading+ • Dance/Pom+ • Cross Country • Equestrian • Football^ • Golf • Hockey^ • Lacrosse • Skiing • Soccer • Softball+ • Swimming • Tennis • Track & Field • Volleyball+ • Wrestling + girls only ^ boys only

Artistic Notre Dame believes academic scholarship includes work in and appreciation for the arts. We treat our students as individuals with unique gifts, and we encourage them to develop their talents.

All three divisions stage multiple dramatic and comedic productions. Our bands and choral groups perform in concerts, parades, civic functions, and private “gigs” locally, regionally, and, on occasion, internationally. Notre Dame students routinely earn honors at district and state competitions for the arts. On a year-toyear basis, students at Notre Dame’s upper division may choose from a wide complement of arts courses, including: Visual Art • Art Foundations • Drawing • Painting • Photography • Pottery • 2D Design • Digital Imaging • AP Studio Art • AP Art History • IB Visual Art

Choir • Freshman Chorus • Chamber Choir • Irishmen • Women’s Chorus • IB/AP Music Theory Band • Instrumental Music • Marching Band • Symphonic Band • Jazz Band • Explore Electronic Music

Irish Undoubtedly one of the most memorable and distinctive features of the Notre Dame experience for all students is “Irish Week,” a weeklong class competition for each division.

Every March, on the week of St. Patrick’s Day, Notre Dame students engage in five days of contests for points and bragging rights. Points are earned in a multitude of ways, including for scavenger hunts, trivia games and athletic events.

The highlight for each division is the “Irish Week Games.” Upper-division students compete against one another in classic sports such as basketball, football, soccer and floor hockey, as well as arm wrestling, Quidditch, Guitar Hero and euchre. Middle-division students compete in events such as dodge ball, Dance Off, crab soccer and musical-chairs basketball. At the lower division, games include hula-hoop relay, drag-race relay, Marist 500 and obstacle course.

At the end of Irish Week, the class with the most points in each division is crowned champion, and the most dynamic student at each level receives the coveted “Spirit of the Irish” award.

The origins of Irish Week date to 1976, at Notre Dame High School, the all-boys school in Harper Woods. Conrad Vachon, a revered teacher and the first lay principal at Notre Dame, founded this week of hijinks as a way to whip up enthusiasm in the school during the dull winters, to build unity among the classes, and to create better relations among the students and staff. So many years later, Mr. Vachon’s invention continues to leave an indelible mark on all Notre Dame students.

“My God, what a great task it is to form a child!

How difficult it is! How much patience is required!

But is there anything greater?”

Fr. Jean-Claude Colin

“The intensity and amount of work, the level and wide variety of classes, and learning my strengths and weaknesses at Notre Dame are preparing me well for college.”

Upper division student

“At Notre Dame, we

are encouraged to balance academics, clubs, and sports. I really enjoy the handson learning and community service the school offers.”

Middle division student

“Whe I first started at ND, it really felt right, like this was the place I was supposed to be. It seemed like a serious but fun school, and best of all, it was a Catholic school.”

Notre Dame faculty member

“Four years ago, when I became part of the staff, I was impressed right away by the high expectations set forth for the students.”

Notre Dame administrator

“Our decision to be a family at Notre Dame has been the most rewarding investment we have ever made.”

“Our teachers let us participate in hands-on projects so we understand our lessons better.

Learning is fun at Notre Dame.”

Notre Dame parent

Lower division student

“The experiences and opportunities Notre Dame Prep has given me as a student and as a professional have shaped my life.”

Notre Dame alumna

The Mark of Notre Dame Notre Dame’s mark brings together the four main components of the school’s history and roots.

In the upper left corner is the “fleur-de-lis,” which translates to “flower of the lily.” The fleur-de-lis traditionally means perfection, light and life, and oftentimes symbolizes purification upon conversion to Christianity. It also was used on early versions of the flag in France, the Marist Fathers and Brothers’ country of origin.

In the upper right corner, the interlocking “NDP” represents the founding division of NDPMA, Notre Dame Preparatory School.

The stylized “A” and “M” in the lower left corner represent not only Marist Academy, but also “Ave Maria,” or “Hail Mary,” a traditional Catholic prayer calling for the intercession of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Finally, the oak leaf and acorn in the lower right corner symbolize the school’s location in Oakland County.

Color-wise, green represents Notre Dame’s local roots and provides a visual reference to the “Irishness” of its nickname (Fighting Irish). The three remaining colors in the mark are: gold, the other main color from the school’s coat of arms; blue, which is Mary’s color; and burgundy, for the Eucharistic blood of Christ.

A day in the life Notre Dame is a place where students are challenged, comfortable and happy. To help get a glimpse of the school’s upper division, we asked a student to write about a typical day at school.

My Wednesday at Notre Dame Prep: Gwendolen Keller Class: 2014 Hometown: Clarkston Grade School: Notre Dame Marist Academy 6:10 a.m.

Alarm goes off. I pull myself out of bed and into my uniform in what seems like one motion.

7:30 a.m.

First hour with Ms. Sweica in IB Visual Art. Though it’s nice to have an hour of creativity to start my day, this class is no cake walk.

8:20 a.m.

Second hour with Ms. Yaroch in IB Biology, one of my hardest and most beloved classes. I love to learn about how living things function.

9:10 a.m.

I head off to the library to study German. Though NDP no longer offers it as a course, the administration worked it out so that I was able to continue on with my studies in higher- level German.

10:00 a.m.

Fourth hour with Fr. Leon for Theory of Knowledge. I love stretching my brain thinking about questions like “What is knowledge?” and “Are the body and soul

different entities?”

10:50 a.m.

Fifth hour with Mr. Osiecki for IB World History. In addition to reading original documents we also have many class discussions on topics such as the causes of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

1:10 p.m.

Seventh hour with Mr. Butorac for IB Language and Culture. Lately we’ve been studying satire and how it is used in today’s media, especially in relation to politics.

2:45 p.m.

Done with school, but my day is far from over. I head over to the weight room to work out with my lacrosse team for an hour before heading home.

4:30 p.m.

Finally back at the house. I chat with my mom for a little while about my day while I have a quick snack. Tonight I won’t have as much homework as normal because tomorrow is a block day.

7:00 p.m.

Between assignments I hop on Facebook and remind the German Club Members that there’s a meeting tomorrow. I am the vice president of the club. It’s a blast for everyone!

Alumni are both the foundation and future of Notre Dame. Our alumni not only help support the school, but they also serve as living proof of what our current students hope to become. Jake Romeo, who graduated in 2012, explains.

“Before coming to Notre Dame I was in the Lake Orion Public Schools system from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Coming to NDP from Scripps Middle School, it was a little intimidating at first, but I’m pretty sure those feelings were gone before my first day ended. Everyone at Notre Dame was so welcoming, and I very quickly found a home away from home.

“I played on the NDP varsity football team all four years, and that was always a focal point for me outside the classroom. But even though it was a major commitment, playing football in no way limited my opportunities to be involved in and try different things, like wrestling, track and field, Community Service Commission, and National Honor Society.

“Looking back, I really had a positive experience with all my teachers and classes at Notre Dame. Economics with Mr. Osiecki was definitely one of my favorites, and it sparked my interest in pursuing the subject as my college major. The teachers had a way of making class enjoyable and creating an environment where it was easy to learn.

“I’ll be the first to admit that coming into Notre Dame as a freshman, I was not a University of Chicago-caliber student.

But the personal growth I experienced over four years is a testament to what a great environment Notre Dame provides.

In the short time it took for me to become an avid learner, I knew I wanted to go to

The future

a college that would allow me to push myself to be the best I can be. I interviewed with Harvard, Princeton, Penn and Columbia, but in the end Chicago had everything I was looking for.

“I found the transition from high school to college to be fairly seamless. Not that the coursework isn’t significantly more rigorous, but the work ethic, confidence, and leadership skills that I developed at Notre Dame gave me a unique edge in competing with some of the brightest students from around the world. I think it’s fair to say I had a much more wellrounded education than most of my peers.

“It’s not easy being a student and an athlete at UChicago. Time is scarce as I balance classes, studying, meetings, practices, competitions, and traveling, not to mention involvement in other organizations on campus. Fortunately, I have developed a routine that helps me get everything done throughout the football, indoor track and outdoor track seasons.

“My schedule can be daunting, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have the opportunity to keep doing the things I love, building relationships, competing for championships, and traveling the country.

Those things make it worth the effort.

“I say it often, and I really do mean it: going to Notre Dame was the best decision I’ve ever made. Notre Dame pointed me in the right direction and put me on track to accomplish great things.”

“Going to Notre Dame was the best decision I’ve ever made. Notre Dame pointed me in the right direction and put me on track to accomplish great things.”

Jake Romeo ‘12 (NDP)

“We shall then turn our attention to forming the minds of our students and to advance them in the different fields of learning by every means possible.”

Marist Fathers and Brothers founder Fr. Jean-Claude Colin’s Instructions to Teachers #4

BECOMING IRISH

Notre Dame students enjoy lifelong benefits from the education they receive at our school. We strongly encourage you to consider becoming a member of the Fighting Irish family, so you too can reap the rewards of the Notre Dame experience.

Students interested in applying for admission to Notre Dame’s upper and middle divisions must take a placement test. (Students in 5th and 8th grade who test on the dates in November and December will be eligible for merit scholarships.) Applications for students at all three divisions must be completed online.

Prior to applying, Notre Dame invites you to see its school come to life by scheduling a tour and/or shadow day, or by attending our fall Open House or spring School Day Open House. Information on open house dates and times, as well as curriculum information and applications for admission, can be found at www.ndpma.org.

If you have additional questions about Notre Dame and/or the admissions process, or would like to schedule a tour or “Irish for a Day” experience for your child, please contact the Office of Admissions: Gregory P. Simon Dean of Admissions and Diversity gsimon@ndpma.org Kathleen M. Offer (JK-8) Associate Dean of Admissions koffer@ndpma.org Kala M. Parker (6-12) Associate Dean of Admissions kparker@ndpma.org Emily M. Giacona (JK-5) Associate Dean of Admissions egiacona@ndpma.org

Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy (Grades 6-12) 1300 Giddings Rd. Pontiac, MI 48340 248-373-5300 (NDP) 248-373-5371 (NDMA) Notre Dame Marist Academy (Grades JK-5) 1425 Giddings Rd. Pontiac, MI 48340 248-373-2573 ndpma.org