The Notre Dame Experience ADMISSIONS BROCHURE 2020-21
01 | www.ndsj.org
Contents Why Notre Dame Tradition Meets Innovation Women of Impact Urban Landscape The Notre Dame Experience
03 07 19 33 41
From the beginning, students are encouraged to take risks and try new things, understanding that only then will we be able to find our passion. Our diverse population helps students become well-rounded and accepting through the friendships, acquaintances and bonds we form with one another. In this community, no one asks for perfection, rather, we ask for growth."
Elysse '23 www.ndsj.org | 02
Why
Notre Dame Since 1851, Notre Dame has provided a distinctive Catholic, college-preparatory education for the young women of Silicon Valley. Building on a strong tradition of teaching students "what they need to know for life," Notre Dame educates today’s young women for leadership, global citizenship and socially-responsible entrepreneurship. The foundation provided by the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame learning community grounds our work in a commitment to holistic education, the dignity of all people and action on behalf of social justice. Our rich urban landscape and innovative programs cultivate young women with strong voices who will bring intelligent compassion to their world — young women who become active leaders in our local, national and global communities. We further commit to that vision with the addition of the Center for Women’s Leadership on our campus, a classroom building with learning labs, a center for career and life success, and a meditation space to promote spiritual growth. I invite you to learn more about Notre Dame's unique history, sustainable finances, distinctive programs and impressive students. Witness the transformative impact of the Notre Dame experience.
In Notre Dame,
Mary Beth Riley Principal
03 | www.ndsj.org
www.ndsj.org | 04
One of my favorite memories each year is Spirit Week, a time of celebration when students can express their ND and class spirit. We have a different dress-up theme every day and school rally every day after class. Spirit Week reminds me of the strong ND community that I'm a part of and allows me to appreciate all the friends I've made."
Layla '22
05 | www.ndsj.org
Notre Dame 23
34
30
6
average class size
Honors & AP courses
at a glance
student clubs & interest groups meet at lunch
co-curricular programs offered after school
Top Reasons Parents
choose to send their daughter to Notre Dame • Academics • Opportunities for development of career and life skills • Innovative learning environment • Leadership opportunities • Safe environment • Daughter's choice
Top Reasons Seniors love their Notre Dame experience • Personal support • Challenging classes • Grade-level bonding • Clubs and activities • Leadership opportunities • Use of technology
www.ndsj.org | 06
07 | Tradition Meets Innovation | www.ndsj.org
Tradition
Meets Innovation
Tradition
Meets Innovation
Notre Dame embodies both tradition and innovation, celebrating our rich Catholic legacy while providing a relevant education that cultivates leadership for excellence and social justice needed in the 21st century. Integrated learning across the curriculum, experiential field trips out into our urban community and beyond, state-of-the-art equipment and faculty recognized for innovation in education contribute to the distinctive programming that defines a Notre Dame education. Our culture of innovation also ensures that a Notre Dame education remains relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. Students, and their teachers, are encouraged to generate ideas and formulate solutions to challenges facing our learning community as well as our local and global community.
I have attended a variety of cohorts for STEAM and I learned about many things that are being used in technology today. One woman spoke about artificial intelligence, which is a subject that I am deeply interested in learning more about. She spoke about how it's part of her job and helped me learn more about the subject with an intriguing presentation. I love being able to attend the STEAM speaker series because they help me learn more in areas that I want to study in the future."
Raiya'21
09 | Tradition Meets Innovation | www.ndsj.org
169
RELEVANT CURRICULUM Notre Dame's curriculum challenges students to apply learned concepts and skills to real-world, complex situations.
year tradition of educating women
100+ STATE OF THE ART
GUEST SPEAKERS
EQUIPMENT
A diverse group of speakers provide
Students benefit from state-
students with examples of the working
of-the-art technology and
application of topics learned in
equipment including 3-D printers,
class as well as personal experience.
gel electrophoresis equipment,
Science speakers, ND Reads and
3-D bioprinters and a Polymerase
other authors, Holocaust survivors and
Chain Reaction (PCR) thermo
college admissions deans regularly
cycler.
meet with our students.
INTEGRATED HUMANITIES
RESEARCH & APPLICATION
English, history and religious studies
Notre Dame's Independent
courses are integrated at each
Science Research Program
grade level. Studying topics through
provides students with an
multiple lenses fosters increased
opportunity to conduct in-
comprehension and a broader
depth research into the topic of
perspective on issues facing our
their choice and present their
global community.
findings at local and national
collegepreparatory courses offered
LAST YEAR
123
on-campus professional development hours to support innovative teaching
8,500+
alumni network
conferences.
www.ndsj.org | Tradition Meets Innovation | 10
The Catholic learning community at Notre Dame is inclusive. Faith plays an important role in all of our lives. In addition to regular religion classes, we have liturgies at the Cathedral Basilica in downtown San Jose. It's a beautiful experience and I find these liturgies to be a powerful way to share our faith."
Addie '21
11 | Tradition Meets Innovation | www.ndsj.org
Catholic Tradition At Notre Dame, we develop spiritually-grounded young women. Guided by the wisdom of Saint Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, we have provided a challenging Catholic education for more than 169 years. Through our program, students at Notre Dame develop a strong spiritual core and sense of self as well as their individual perspective on social issues. Under the direction of the religious studies and campus ministry faculty, students engage in thteir journey through theological inquiry and spiritual practice. More than 100 student leaders help plan and implement Catholic liturgies as well as opportunities for meditation, reflection and prayer for students of all faiths. All students take religious studies courses, participate in spiritual retreats and serve at local agencies in the community. On average, seventy-seven percent of students exceed their community service-learning requirement. As young women of service and impact, they are spiritual seekers and justice advocates who take their place as community leaders.
TOP 10
Catholic High School in the state of California
100%
of students participate in campus ministry programs and
3 consecutive years
125+
leadership positions available through campus ministry
religious studies classes
GRADE-LEVEL COMMUNITY SERVICE
9th
Service with women and children
10th
Serving marginalized or vulnerable populations
11th
Serving our local communities
12th
Students select issues to address and communities to serve
www.ndsj.org | Tradition Meets Innovation | 12
Distinctive Program: Education for Justice & Leadership Core themes and grade-level experiential learning opportunities are integral components of our Education for Justice & Leadership program. They reinforce our graduation outcomes and empower young women to see themselves as life-long learners, spiritual seekers, justice advocates and community leaders.
GRADE-LEVEL TRIPS
9th th • 9 th • 10 th • 10 th • 11 th • 12 •
One of Notre Dame's many innovative approaches is its integrated humanities which helps me learn about events from different perspectives. For example, we learned about the Holocaust in my English, religion and history
Japantown Guadalupe River Park Conservatory DeYoung Museum & Legion of Honor Contemporary Jewish Museum Angel Island Local non-profit organizations
classes. I was able to gain
CORE THEMES
a holistic understanding
• Personal Engagement & Responsibility: Each student is called to
of this tragic event, which
participate in her own growth and in the building of her community
will help me become an
by utilizing her gifts, talents, skills and interests. Her participation and
educated upstander and
engagement reflects her developing responsibility for herself and
global citizen. I feel more
her community.
confident that I can make a positive impact in the
• Stewardship: Each student is called to lovingly care for herself, her
greater world community
community and all of creation. In acts of service, she demonstrates
by having a better
her response to the needs of the world.
understanding of significant events that still have an impact on our lives today."
Emma'22
• Solidarity: Each student is called to be present to the life, experience, and needs of others, especially those in the most vulnerable places. In these moments of solidarity, she offers loving companionship and demonstrates her commitment to the common good. • Advocacy: Each student is called to speak and work for social, ecological, sustainable, and just change. In these moments of advocacy, she gives voice to the voiceless.
13 | Tradition Meets Innovation | www.ndsj.org
ND READS Notre Dame's ND Reads program, now in its 14th year, brings the community together for learning and conversation around issues and topics that affect us all, locally and globally. In addition to reading the book and discussing underlying themes across the integrated school program, students and the community meet the author during a campus visit in the fall.
HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES Students experience the core themes of Notre Dame's Education for Justice & Leadership program through a variety of projects over their four years, including:
Upstander Memorial
Poverty Simulation
Civic Hackathon
This culminating assessment of
Facilitated by Catholic
As part of the junior
the sophomore Education for
Charities of Santa Clara
year curriculum, all
Justice & Leadership program
County's Step Up Silicon
students use design
asks students to construct
Valley program, this
thinking skills to
a 3-D memorial to a person
simulation explores themes
prototype solutions to
or group affected by the
of stewardship, solidarity and
address civic issues.
Holocaust.
advocacy.
www.ndsj.org | Tradition Meets Innovation | 14
Evidence-Based Practices OUR LEARNING & ASSESSMENT MODEL Notre Dame's learning and assessment model includes varied, on-going assessments that allow for continuous, effective feedback and enhance learning without the stress of traditional finals. Notre Dame's learning and assessment model: • promotes learning rather than memorization • supports student wellness • develops skills alongside content • aligns with emerging trends in universities • blends traditional assessments with current best practices Notre Dame provides an
CHOICES & SPECIALIZATION
innovative emphasis on learning in areas that are
Counselors support each student in selecting from our 100+ college-
often dictated by rote
preparatory courses. Specialization is also provided to allow students
memorization. In place of
to focus course work in "pathways" of interest.
a traditional finals week, we are given a variety of
• Accelerated Pathway: Highly motivated students with capacity for
projects and assessments
further scholastic challenge can enroll in one or more of 30 Advanced
that require us to apply
Placement and Honors coursesoffered at Notre Dame.
what we've learned over
• STEAM Pathway: Science, Technol ogy, Engineering, Arts and
the year. Notre Dame
Mathematics (STEAM) blends a focus on STEAM with the unique
also hosts demos and
location of Notre Dame in the SoFA arts district of downtown San Jose.
workshops in collaboration with local organizations
• Visual & Performing Arts Pathway: Students interested in the arts can
where we learn more about
explore content and hands-on learning opportunities that position
real-world applications.
student artists to pursue the arts in college and beyond.
In my trigonometry class, • Social Justice Pathway: Students wanting to dive deeper into issues
I designed a structure to transport water from a tank
of justice and advocacy can focus along this pathway through a
into a cup with the help
combination of classes, co-curricular activities, service and travel.
of Santa Clara University engineering students. This project let us see how engineering and
98%
mathematics are used to create the infrastructure we use daily."
Sandhya'21
of students report that ND has a strong sense of learning and achievement*
98%
of current students feel that ND meets or exceeds their learning needs*
99%
of students believe ND’s academic program requires a high degree of learning rigor*
100%
of surveyed alumni report feeling academically prepared for college
*2018 Notre Dame WCEA student survey data
15 | Tradition Meets Innovation | www.ndsj.org
Personalized Support The size of our student body encourages personalization and access to faculty, mentors and counselors.
11:1
student-to-faculty ratio
Notre Dame provides a unique academic approach by using
100%
of faculty host office hours and resource periods to support students
flipped classrooms. Instead of listening to a
AN AVERAGE OF
22
students form each mentoring group that stays together for all four years under the leadership of a faculty member
lecture in the traditional way, and finishing problems at home, in my Trig/Pre-calc Honors class, we listen to video
150+
college and university representatives visit the Notre Dame campus each year to meet with prospective students
lectures at home and solve problems in the classroom. This way, we are able to ask the teacher for help on any of the hard math problems and work collaboratively to deepen our learning."
Shirlene'21
www.ndsj.org | Tradition Meets Innovation | 16
Life-long Network Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.
200
+
alumni visit campus for networking events with current students
NOTRE DAME IS ONE OF
120
schools in a global network sponsored across
5
continents by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
17 | Tradition Meets Innovation | www.ndsj.org
www.ndsj.org | Tradition Meets Innovation | 18
19 | Women of Impact | www.ndsj.org
Women
of Impact
Women
of Impact
Educating young women who dream broadly about the future and are uniquely positioned to achieve those dreams is at the heart of the Notre Dame experience. Studies have shown that students thrive in an all-girls environment. They are more confident, have higher career aspirations, and are more competitive and willing to take positive risks. Young women studying STEAM subjects in an all-girls environment have been found to outperform their counterparts at co-educational schools. Additionally, such an environment fosters more meaningful relationships with teachers and mentors. As the oldest all-girls school in the western United States, Notre Dame has an established history of providing education that develops young women of impact.
One of my favorite memories is being part of the Woman's Place Project (WPP). Through the deep research and writing components, I was able to honor a woman that inspired me as a person and as a future influential woman. The WPP brought me together with my class and also helped me learn about myself on a deeper level. It also allowed me to show my creative side and my analytical side too."
Alyssa '22 21 | Women of Impact | www.ndsj.org
SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT The Senior Service Learning Project (SSLP) integrates a Notre Dame student’s curricular and co-curricular learning across her four years. Through this project, students gain an understanding that service is transformational — for the community served as well as the student.
FIRST GENERATION TO COLLEGE (FG2C)
RACE, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Notre Dame's First Generation to
Notre Dame High School and the
College Program provides students
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
who will be the first in their family to
commit to working to make our
attend college, and their parents,
learning community inclusive and
with assistance in navigating the road
equitable for all and ensuring that
to a college education and helps
diverse voices are amplified in
students explore career possibilities.
every aspect of our program.
100
%
90%
of students believe there are leadership opportunities available to all students at Notre Dame
326
elected and selected leadership positions available
Most popular majors for THE CLASS OF 2020:
• Chemistry/Biology/Biochem • Business/Economics • Visual/Performing Arts
of seniors who applied
• Psychology/Cognitive Science/Neuroscience
were accepted
• Engineering
• Nursing
to colleges and
• Political Science/ International Affairs
• Environmental Science
universities
MORE THAN
• Computer Science
In their freshman year,
Notre Dame advances
At the Young
all students undertake
women's leadership
Women’s Advocacy
the interdisciplinary
by honoring women of
Summit, attended by
study of the strength
impact and creating
local politicians and
and contributions of
space for them to
community members,
women across time,
engage with our
seniors advocate
culture and industry,
students.
on behalf of the
each honoring an
organizations they
individual woman.
served through their
320+
on and offcampus opportunities for students to showcase talents
SSLP.
www.ndsj.org | Women of Impact | 22
35%
of graduates matriculated to highly selective colleges (accepting 33% of students or less)
168 college representatives visited campus last year
23 | Women of Impact | www.ndsj.org
75%
of the Class of 2020 students are matriculating to one of the schools on the Princeton Review’s
LIST OF BEST COLLEGES
400+
students have participated in Notre Dame's nationally recognized College Application Prep Class
42%
of Notre Dame applicants were accepted to UC colleges compared to 36% nationally
1:1 college counseling support for all juniors and seniors and their families
Graduates matriculated to schools that are: • 48% Private • 28% UC/CSU • 10% Out of State Public • 8% Community College • 3% International • 3% Gap Year
94
%
of ND students passed one or more Advanced Placement tests
MORE THAN
15
+
events featuring local and national college admissions experts hosted by Notre Dame's college counseling department
16m
$
offered in scholarships to 154 students
SAT scores for the Class of 2019 Reading & Writing
710 ND Upper Quartile
647
ND Mean
536
National Mean
Math
730 ND Upper Quartile
640
ND Mean
531
National Mean
www.ndsj.org | Women of Impact | 24
Through Notre Dame's many co-curricular programs students are able to develop a sense of leadership and learn how to work collaboratively with their peers. Notre Dame's leadership roles range from large to small commitments, so it is easy for all students to get involved with the school."
Haley '23
25 | Women of Impact | www.ndsj.org
6
co-curriculars
34
clubs & organizations
Athletics Students have access to 10 sports and 17 teams, as well as year-long strength and conditioning
Campus Ministry 100% of students participate in service, retreats and liturgies
Robotics Four committees form 1 team with 20 coaches and 10 corporate sponsors
Speech & Debate Students participate in approximately 30 tournaments hosted locally, regionally and nationally
Student Leadership Our program includes formal leadership training for all students in their sophomore year
Visual & Performing Arts On average, students participate in more than 50 performances and exhibits on and off-campus
www.ndsj.org | Women of Impact | 26
Center for Women's Leadership Our newest campus building is filled with opportunity for future women of impact: to innovate in an open-lab environment, to chart a path towards career and life work, to consider what it means to be Catholic in the 21st century. Young women walk through our doors every day with unique hopes, ambitions and dreams. At Notre Dame, they grow as leaders, flourish as students and develop as advocates. The Center For Women’s Leadership reflects our commitment to a campus without borders, welcoming the community in and encouraging students to navigate out. Notre Dame is a recognized leader in integrating academic learning with the real world. The Center for Women's Leadership provides flexible, interdisciplinary space that encourages students to explore diverse interests and discover new passions. Within designated sacred spaces, students are encouraged to ask the hard questions and travel along a personal spiritual journey. As graduates they will be ready to step into the world as leaders who understand the need for reflection and promote common respect.
Having been part of the Woman's Place Project, the Women of Impact luncheon, and the groundbreaking for the Center for Women’s Leadership, I aspire to be one of those women who make an impact on our society. Ultimately I believe that all of the courses I take have opened my eyes to the issues present in society today and have made me, and so many others, passionate and empowered advocates."
Madeleine '21 27 | Women of Impact | www.ndsj.org
www.ndsj.org | Women of Impact | 28
Distinctive Program: Career & Life Success Notre Dame's Career & Life Success Program creates learning experiences that take students beyond the walls of the traditional classroom. The program prepares young women for life beyond college by empowering them to identify and nurture their individual gifts and talents as they explore opportunities for future career and life success.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Our unique learning opportunities include community Notre Dame has an amazing
partnerships, guest speakers and interdisciplinary field
program for career and life
trips at each grade level.
success. There are so many workshops, from learning how to change a tire to able to take the calligraphy
10 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR CAREER & LIFE SUCCESS
one and learn more about
Notre Dame's ten career and life skills are integrated
art and handwriting. My
throughout the curriculum:
social media etiquette. I was
sister took knitting. Both of us really enjoyed them and implement the skills in our everyday lives."
Dora '23
29 | Women of Impact | www.ndsj.org
•
Adaptability
•
Collaboration
•
Communication
•
Critical & creative thinking
•
Cultural competency
•
Discernment
•
Personal efficacy
•
Philanthropy
•
Solution-finding
•
Wholeness
LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS
INTERNSHIPS
As part of our mission to
a hands-on opportunity
teach young women 'what they need to know for life,' Notre Dame offers a series of workshops that focus on building life skills - from changing a tire to cooking and budgeting.
Internships offer students for career exploration and valuable workplace-readiness training. Students also see how their academic studies apply to the real world. The experience makes them stronger candidates for college and jobs after graduation.
CAREER EXPLORATION Career development and networking opportunities allow students to learn about companies, industries and careers in a personal setting. Students visit local companies and engage with industry professionals, building their network while exploring career options.
www.ndsj.org | Women of Impact | 30
Women-Centric Environment A place where women thrive. 2020 graduates recognize the value of meaningful opportunities and relationships:
98
%
agree that faculty/staff care about the welfare of all students
98
31 | Women of Impact | www.ndsj.org
%
agree that they learned to encounter real-world problems with collaboration, adaptability and resilience
www.ndsj.org | Women of Impact | 32
33 | Urban Landscape | www.ndsj.org
Urban
Landscape
Urban
Landscape
A Notre Dame education extends well beyond the footprint of our downtown campus, out into the tenth largest city in the United States and the thriving center of Silicon Valley. Classroom learning across the curriculum is applied in real-world contexts through visits to our local neighbors. Classes regularly visit historic landmarks, civic and political organizations, and culturally-rich communities within walking distance of campus including the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, the Tech Interactive, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, the San JosĂŠ Museum of Art and San JosĂŠ State University. These are just a few of the resources that provide opportunities for faculty to empower students to think critically and creatively about the world around them. Recognized as the most diverse private school in Santa Clara County for the past three years, Notre Dame prepares students for careers in an increasingly global society. In addition, studies have shown that diverse learning environments lead to better critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
One of my favorite aspects of Notre Dame is the school's downtown location. Not only is it a great place to hang out after school, but teachers also incorporate field trips to different downtown locations to enhance our learning. In my Spanish class this year, we visited the MLK's Dia de los Muertos exhibit to learn about culture and perspectives on that holiday."
Shirene '23 35 | Urban Landscape | www.ndsj.org
36
100
downtown doors have featured Notre Dame student art
%
PARTICIPATION
WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
CITY AS A CLASSROOM
3
Under the guidance of teachers, every student experiences hands-on, real-world learning through the cultural and educational resources
professional theaters
available within walking distance of campus.
12
museums & galleries
14 PARTNERSHIPS
CONFIDENCE
Through an exclusive
Students navigate and explore
arrangement with San JosĂŠ State
the city and its abundant
University, our students can take
resources through a variety of
full advantage of resources
experiences. The outcome is a
typically available only to college
young woman with life-skills and
students.
self-confidence.
places of worship
ON AVERAGE
67
walking field trips to
23
downtown destinations
ACCESSING CAMPUS
330
families carpool to campus
68
different zipcodes
4
ND shuttles run daily to/from the Diridon station & campus
www.ndsj.org | Urban Landscape | 36
Downtown Neighbors Notre Dame's 151 Individual Program Partners, 121 Community Partner Organizations and downtown neighbors provide myriad opportunities for education, internships, job shadows and career experiences. Our location in the SoFA district provides students with easy access to the art and culture center of San Jose as well as partnerships that extend into the downtown core. Career development and networking opportunities allow students to learn about companies, industries and careers. Students visit local companies and engage with industry professionals, building their network while exploring career options. Job shadows pair students with business professionals in the workplace. Through hands-on projects that link skills with academic learning, students develop an awareness of the educational and technical skills required for entry and advancement in business.
37 | Urban Landscape | www.ndsj.org
Global Citizenship Concepts studied in classes extend into the world through guided travel and reflection.
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
Being a global citizen is important because we think critically about what is equitable and minimizes
Advocacy Opportunities
harm to our world. We learn
Apply classroom learning to real-life challenges — recent
evaluating ethics and the
trips include the Ignatian Family Teach-in and visits to the
impact of our decisions."
state capitol and Berkeley
to become more skilled in
Emma '23
Global Citizenship Travel Combines cultural and language immersion for deeper understanding — recent trips include El Salvador, Tanzania and Costa Rica
Notre Dame Network Cultivates relationships with other Notre Dame communities — recent trips include Boston and Notre Dame Seishin in Japan
Service Learning Trips Provide student opportunities for global impact — recent locations include Mexico, Armenia and India
www.ndsj.org | Urban Landscape | 38
39 | Urban Landscape | www.ndsj.org
City as a Classroom Hands-On Learning in the Real World
8
full-day experiential learning opportunities each year
IN A TYPICAL YEAR STUDENTS EXPERIENCE
70
guest speakers
&
90
field trips
In addition to grade-level field trips, individual classes utilize walking field trips downtown for cultural exploration, extension through exhibits, job shadows and more.
www.ndsj.org | Urban Landscape | 40
Notre Dame
Experience Sisterhood, diversity and joy are evident at Notre Dame every day. This unique spirit began with the two women from very different backgrounds who founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. They appeared to have so little in common. Julie Billiart’s family was considered peasant stock. Françoise Blin de Bourdon was a member of the aristocracy. Although it was not immediate, a deep friendship developed between these two women whose lives were so different. Together they founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the sponsoring community of Notre Dame High School.
Notre Dame's environment is always so warm and friendly with great faculty and staff always there to support students. Being at an all-girls school allows young women to discover their true selves and become more confident.
The sisterhood they shared is replicated at Notre Dame every day. Through activities that have become well-loved traditions, students develop strong bonds of friendship. It begins with the freshman sleepover, where the class chooses the colors and mascot that will identify them throughout their four years at Notre Dame. The friendships that begin forming are strengthened each year through class color days, retreats, events and everyone’s favorite, Spirit Week!
Notre Dame encourages
After graduation, students continue the experience of
students to take on
sisterhood by being part of the oldest alumni network
leadership roles and
in California, creating the opportunity for life-long
lead a life as a woman of
relationships.
impact, which is incredibly compelling to me."
Vanessa '21
41 | Notre Dame Experience | www.ndsj.org
www.ndsj.org | Notre Dame Experience | 42
43 | www.ndsj.org
Learning Models During COVID-19 Notre Dame's environment of innovation, which calls us to be agile and adapt to the changing landscape of education, allowed for a quick and successful transition to remote learning in the spring of 2020. Based on educational research, feedback from focus groups and the work of a curriculum think tank, Notre Dame built a Flexible Learning Plan that allows the school community to respond quickly to the dynamic landscape. The plan includes three learning models — hybrid, remote and traditional. •
Hybrid Learning Model: This model includes both in-person and remote learning happening concurrently. This enables teachers to move all students through the curriculum together regardless of platform.
•
Remote Learning Model: The delivery of instruction and assessment in this model are through online platforms only, providing flexibility for community members who are immunocompromised as well as shelter-inplace scenarios.
•
Traditional Learning Model: With this model in place, the entire student body is on campus at one time, allowing for delivery of all lessons in person.
All three learning models include a Flex Friday each week, allowing for signature experiential programs, guest speakers, mentoring sessions, club and leadership meetings, community-building events and campus ministry activities for each grade level while maintaining four days per week to focus on classroom instruction and student academic support. Notre Dame has a well-established program and reputation for delivering high-quality academics. Regardless of learning model in place, we remain committed to providing an education that aligns with our mission and current educational research.
www.ndsj.org | 44
Admissions Requirements Notre Dame commits to the health and well-being of students. We understand that a student is more than a collection of data points. Our admissions process strives to understand the whole person — their academic strengths, character, values and interests. Research has evidenced biases within standardized testing as well as the overwhelming anxiety that it causes students. Ultimately, a standardized test score is not an accurate measure of student academic ability or potential. Notre Dame's admissions process is test-optional, which allows students the choice to take the HSPT or to submit an academic sample of work that they feel demonstrates their ability and potential. As part of the application process, each applicant will submit three portfolios: •
Academic Portfolio to demonstrate academic readiness and strengths.
•
Personal Portfolio that provides insight into the student's character, interests and values.
•
Family Portfolio that recognizes families as partners in their daughter's education.
Please register online for our virtual events during the fall to learn more about the application process and the Notre Dame experience.
To learn more, visit:
www.ndsj.org/admissions 45 | www.ndsj.org
I feel limitless at Notre Dame. I am grateful for the fact that I know that in whatever I do, my school community is always there to support me. This kind of support system, I believe, is what gives all of the students their confidence and creativity."
Mito '22
www.ndsj.org | 46
596 S. 2nd Street San Jose, CA 95112 Address service requested
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID SAN JOSE, CA PERMIT NO. 499
Mission
Statement
Notre Dame High School, in the heart of downtown San Jose since 1851, provides young women an exemplary Catholic, college-preparatory education to become life-long learners, spiritual seekers, justice advocates and community leaders. We are inspired by Saint Julie Billiart and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. We empower young women and “teach them what they need to know for life.”
FOLLOW US
@notredamesj for campus updates and student accomplishments