Tradition
At Notre Dame, we are developing women leaders for a more just world. Guided by the wisdom of Saint Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, we have provided a relevant and challenging Catholic education for more than 167 years. Notre Dame's Education for Justice and Leadership program defines the distinctive curriculum that forms young women for compassionate and socially-just leadership. Rooted in our mission and call to provide experiences steeped in Catholic values, this commitment to educate towards goals of personal engagement, responsibility, stewardship, solidarity and advocacy requires purposeful integration of academic study and direct experience. Under the direction of the campus ministry department, more than 127 student leaders help plan and implement Catholic liturgies as well as opportunities for meditation, reflection and prayer for students of all faiths. Through our program, students at Notre
1
#
in Santa Clara County
24
OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
with interfaith guest speakers
100
%
OF STUDENTS
16,194
SERVED
Catholic
Catholic High School
HOURS
of community service with local agencies
78
Dame develop a strong spiritual core and sense of self as well as their individual perspective on social issues. As young women of service and impact, they take their place in the community, standing with, and speaking for, the marginalized.
$
61,204
equivalent in feminine products
DONATED OVER 3 YEARS THROUGH THE
Sister Project IN SUPPORT OF
Sacred Heart Community Center
120 ONE OF
LAST YEAR
8
schools in a global network sponsored across
5
continents by the
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
125
student retreats
LED BY
70 32
student leaders faculty members
+ leadership positions
available through campus ministry
100
%
10
of students participate in
student leaders in
programs and
dialogue through the
campus ministry religious studies classes
interfaith DiversiTEAS program
"Be like the sunflower which follows all the movements of the sun and ever turns towards it."
St. Julie
"Notre Dame prompts us to do community service and truly understand why we are doing it, how it impacts us, others, and the environment, and how it strengthens our relationship with God."
Katelyn '20
National Coastal Plunges Increase environmental justice awareness and rebuild communities — recent locations include the central coast and New Orleans
Urban Plunges Combine social justice and urbanism — recent locations have included Silicon Valley, East LA and the San Francisco Tenderloin
Advocacy Opportunities Apply classroom learning to real-life challenges — recent trips include the Ignatian Family Teachin and visits to the state capitol and Berkeley
Global Citizenship Combine cultural and language immersion for deeper understanding — recent trips include El Salvador, Tanzania and Nicaragua
Notre Dame Network Cultivate relationships with other Notre Dame communities — recent trips include Boston and Notre Dame Seishin in Japan
Service Learning Provide student opportunities for global impact — recent locations include Mexico, Armenia and India
"Through Notre Dame’s curriculum I have been able to grow in my spirituality. One impactful moment that drew me closer to my faith tradition was during my religion class. On this day, my class was engaged in a discussion about Catholicism and its beliefs. I remember feeling a sense of warmness and recognizing why I believed in the Catholic church and the values it taught. ND has taught me that the Catholic church is a compassionate, loving and respectful community that strives to help marginalized communities while deepening our own faith. Before coming to Notre Dame I was feeling undecided about where I stood in my faith but the religion classes and retreats have reconnected my relationship with God, and I am happy to say that I will be getting confirmed next year."
Alessandra'19
Seven Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community 1
We proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good.
2
We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.
4
We commit ourselves to community service.
5
We embrace the gift of diversity.
6
We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve.
7
We develop holistic learning communities which educate for life.
3
Guided by all seven Hallmarks, Notre Dame chooses one to focus on each year. For 201819 Notre Dame will focus on Hallmark #3: We educate for and act on behalf of justice and peace in the world.
"My experience at the Notre Dame Network Conference in Boston reinforced what I see here at ND every day. We talked about important issues, and I am grateful for the other delegates and what they taught me. I notice connections everywhere — for example in AP Psychology we talked about how environment and upbringing can affect one's worldview, and in Contemporary Social Issues we discussed that this is exactly what makes compassion so crucial."
Isha '19