A bird’s eye view
24 AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
STUDENT BODY ON AVERAGE 1:10
FACULTY TO STUDENT RATIO
90 %
STUDENTS TAKING AP / HONORS
100 + COURSES OFFERED
32 AP/HONORS COURSES
of Notre Dame
6 CO-CURRICULARS
30 + CLUBS & INTEREST GROUPS
400 + LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
19k SERVICE HOURS
25 % ON TUITION ASSISTANCE
30 SECOND LANGUAGES SPOKEN
18 FAITH TRADITIONS
125 MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Connection. Confidence. Impact.
Founded on Friendship
Guided by the wisdom and friendship of Saint Julie Billiart and Françoise Blin de Bourdon, foundresses of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Notre Dame San Jose has provided Catholic education in Silicon Valley for over 170 years.
Saint Julie and Françoise forged their friendship over conversation, prayer and a shared vision of goodness, education and justice. Living at a time when women’s education and leadership were not common, they boldly made it their mission to create a space for young women. Together, they founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1804.
In 1851, this institution began educating young women in downtown San Jose. Today, Notre Dame San Jose is part of a global network of Notre Dame schools and is the oldest girls high school on the west coast. This network of Notre Dame schools spans five continents, which presents students with unique opportunities for global education, building connections around the world and impactful advocacy in communities near and far.
This community cultivates young women during their most exhilarating, formative high school years. We strive to ensure that every young woman who enters our historic Second Street campus becomes a lifelong learner, spiritual seeker, justice advocate and community leader.
At Notre Dame San Jose, students engage in relevant academic classes, conscious conversations about our diverse world, stimulating co-curricular programming and unrivaled encounters with our innovative downtown San Jose community.
Join us. Join our legacy, build relationships, expand your dreams and have an impact on our world.
Ashley Rae Mathis HEAD OF SCHOOL
No graces are greater than the gift of friendship.”
• ST. JULIE BILLIART •
I thank you from a very affectionate heart.”
• FRANÇOISE BLIN DE BOURDON •
Founded on Friendship
Young Women Thrive
A Place Where Young Women Thrive
Women-centric spaces, like the one cultivated at NDSJ, disrupt limitations women and girls face by building confidence and promoting empowerment. We provide representation and enable broad access to skill-building, free from stereotypes of what is, or is not, possible for women. By connecting our legacy as the oldest high school for girls in the western United States with the possibilities of the future, Notre Dame educates students to become women of impact.
As we continue this legacy of centering women, our learning community is also actively engaged in expansive thinking about gender identity and expression alongside our mission of inclusivity.
The Center for Women’s Leadership
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Annual events reflect Notre Dame’s distinctive culture and commitment to young women’s leadership. These events connect students with the larger community and serve as milestones in their journey.
Notre Dame advances women’s leadership within our larger community by honoring Women of Impact and creating space for them to engage with our students.
In their freshman year, all students undertake the interdisciplinary study of the strength and contributions of women across time, culture and industry. Each student honors an individual woman in an annual art exhibition.
Attended by local politicians and community members, seniors advocate on behalf of the organizations they served through their Senior Service Learning Experience.
Planned by ND’s Facing History and Ourselves leadership group, and led by the Diversity Council board of student club officers, this student-led production provides an outlet for cultural clubs in our student body to highlight music, dance, dress, food and cultural education as a way to share their respective identities.
The Mary Beth Riley Center for Women’s Leadership designates learning spaces that advance student skills and perspective-building through hands-on learning, integrated curriculum and spiritual development.
of surveyed graduates say they lead with integrity and confidence 95% of surveyed graduates believe they can collaborate with others to generate solutions to realworld problems of surveyed graduates agree that they are encouraged to be their best self at Notre Dame
2024 graduating senior survey data 98% 97%
ND truly does its best to foster leadership in women
It has brought out the best in me, showing me things that I’ve never known about myself. It’s provided me with a safe environment to be myself and to always strive for better. This has given me the space to grow as a communicator, delegator and observer.”
• CERISA ‘26 •
Co-Curricular Programs
ATHLETICS
Students have access to 19 teams across 11 sports, as well as year-long strength and conditioning.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
All students participate in community service, student-led liturgies and have the opportunity to attend grade-level retreats. From peer ministry leadership to travel with the Notre Dame network of schools, students have opportunities to deepen their faith and explore their spirituality through the campus ministry program.
ROBOTICS
With the support of two coaches and 15 mentors, The Janksters, also known as FRC Team 1967, work in a state-of-the-art engineering lab to construct a student-built robot that competes locally and nationally. The team is made up of four committees: electronics, business, mechanical and programming, allowing students to explore a variety of facets of engineering and business.
SPEECH & DEBATE
Students participate in 15 competitive events across more than 30 tournaments hosted locally, regionally and nationally. In 2022 and 2024, students placed first at the State Championship.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
The program includes over 400 elected and selected positions of leadership, as well as formal leadership training for all students in their sophomore year. Student leaders have specifically-allocated time in their weekly schedule to develop their skills.
VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
Students in drama, choir, music, dance and technical theater participate in more than 50 performances and exhibits on and off campus. They design, direct, conduct and choreograph, developing their skills as artists and leaders.
Joining the tennis team allowed me to find an identity within women’s leadership. I began to understand the importance of putting myself out there and did so by involving myself in a sport that I had not played in a competitive space. Last year, I challenged myself with the caliber of tennis players around me and I was able to understand taking charge of my own fitness and passion for the sport.”
DHYANA
Student-Centered Learning
Notre Dame de Namur’s legacy begins with St. Julie Billiart’s directive for her community to “Teach them what they need to know for life.” At Notre Dame
San Jose, students embark on the journey of lifelong learning, in a learning space that is specifically designed for girls. With the special kind of confidence that comes from an all-girls education, Notre Dame students develop impactful relationships with their community, peers and mentors — connections they keep with them for life.
Building Confident Learners
With our diverse, engaging curriculum, students are empowered to have choice and voice in the classroom and to cultivate their own learning experiences. Notre Dame emphasizes a hands-on, experiential learning model that takes education beyond the classroom and into the world. Through positive relationships with teachers and peers, students feel a sense of belonging in the classroom that builds confidence and equips them to do their best work.
RELEVANT, ENGAGING CURRICULUM
• Curriculum is regularly updated to be relevant to teens in a changing world, and to include diverse voices and perspectives.
• Students are invited to reflect on their own identity, to connect personally to the content and to think critically.
• Course themes emphasize justice and leadership through an interdisciplinary lens.
AGENCY & INDEPENDENCE
• Balanced homework allows for involvement outside of school and prioritizes physical and mental health.
• Revisions policy centers learning over grades.
• Flexible deadlines support time management, skill-building and self-advocacy.
EQUITY IN EDUCATION
We commit to a learning community that is inclusive and equitable. This commitment is articulated in our educational equity belief statement, reinforced in ongoing professional development for our employees and experienced by students through our culture and curriculum that honors identity while amplifying diverse voices and experiences. To learn more about our commitment to equity in education please visit our website: www.ndsj.org/equity
My World History AP class is a unique environment that sparks creativity, energy and passion and always pushes me to improve and keep learning. It combines academic rigor with the need for sustainable time management skills.”
• SOPHIA ‘25 •
98% of surveyed graduates enjoy what they are learning in the Notre Dame experience
98% of surveyed graduates say that their learning at Notre Dame makes relevant connections to the world around us
• MR. JOHNSON, VISUAL ARTS TEACHER • Learning is an iterative process. It’s never stagnant, but rather it changes and evolves based on the needs of the learner and societal context in which the learning is happening.”
2024 graduating senior survey
Personalized Connections
CAREER & LIFE SUCCESS
In close partnership with College Counseling, Notre Dame’s Career & Life Success Program prepares students for college and beyond by empowering them to identify and nurture their individual gifts and talents. The three pillars of the program are:
PERSONAL & ACADEMIC COUNSELING
Each student is assigned to a counselor who supports the student during their four year journey.
ACCESS TO TEACHERS
Weekly academic collaboration time is dedicated for faculty and students to work together to support students’ growth.
ARISE SUPPORT PROGRAM
The ARISE program at Notre Dame is a partnership between the learning resource specialists, faculty and student participants to provide personalized and differentiated support to students with documented learning differences. The program includes three pillars:
Academic Resources
I ndividualized Support E mpowerment
To learn more, visit our website. www.ndsj.org/academics/arise-support-program
The Career and Life Success Program empowers students to forge their own success stories by offering opportunities that blend passion and dedication. Engaging in the financial literacy workshop exposed me to valuable life skills and sparked my interest in finance. Through interactive activities, I connected with peers who share similar interests and deepened my understanding of making wise financial decisions.
• TANIA ‘25 •
DID YOU KNOW?
Notre Dame has an on-campus internship program through which there are 40+ opportunities for students to develop professional skills alongside faculty and staff.
College Readiness
Our college counseling philosophy mirrors the spiritual legacy of our foundress, Saint Julie Billiart, embracing the gift of God’s goodness to support the personal journey of each student.
Through the college counseling process, students are invited to discover who they are and what they think. We explore the full range of college options and help them find one that challenges them academically and aligns with their values, interests and career goals. The college counseling program is holistic and includes 1:1 meetings, group meetings, class-level meetings, parent education events and more.
1:1
college counseling support for all juniors and seniors and their families
69
college representatives visited campus virtually or in person last year
99%
matriculated straight into a two or four-year college or university
87%
matriculated to a first choice or high interest college
26
students in the Class of 2024 were First Scholars to College
FIRST SCHOLARS TO COLLEGE
Notre Dame’s First Scholars to College Program provides students who will be the first in their family to attend college, and their families, assistance in navigating the road to a college education and helps students explore career possibilities.
MOST POPULAR MAJORS FOR THE CLASS OF 2024:
• Business/Business Admin/Marketing
• Biology/Biological Sciences
• Engineering
• Psychology & Neuroscience
• Political Science
CLASS OF 2024 GRADUATES MATRICULATED TO SCHOOLS THAT ARE:
• 47% Private
• 19% University of California
• 15% California State University
• 10% Out of State Public
• 3% Community College
• 3% International
• < 1% Gap Year
For a complete list of acceptances and matriculations, scan the QR code below to visit our counseling webpage.
www.ndsj.org/academics/ college-counseling
Student Centered Learning
Education in the Heart of Downtown San Jose
A Notre Dame education extends beyond the footprint of our downtown campus, out into the tenth-largest city in the United States and the thriving center of Silicon Valley. Students learn to confidently navigate and explore the city and its abundant resources daily. Downtown is a place for connection, a network of accessible jobs and a lab for learning, empowerment and impact.
City As A Classroom
Classes regularly take field trips to historic landmarks, civic and political organizations and art museums within walking distance of campus. The learning outcomes for students include:
• Concrete experiences of applied learning.
• An asset-based appreciation of diverse communities.
• Familiarity with cultural and civic resources.
• Best practices for navigating urban spaces.
• Development of spatial awareness.
• Increased self-confidence.
I loved our field trip to Japantown and how experiencing the culture was combined with understanding the historical context of Japanese Americans in the area. This example of learning outside of the classroom reflect’s ND’s holistic approach to education by incorporating real life skills, such as learning how to ride public transit, using a map and navigating downtown shops.”
• IZABELLE ‘25 •
DID YOU KNOW?
Downtown Doors have featured Notre Dame student art
WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
9 professional theaters
ON AVERAGE
13 downtown destinations TO 41 museums & galleries
84 classes
FACILITIES PARTNERS
10
facilities support our athletics programon and off campus
12
Murals, as public art, are found throughout the SoFA district. One of the murals was designed and painted by a group of Notre Dame students!
14 places of worship
DID YOU KNOW?
Student athletes benefit from our location through access to venues including the Bellarmine facilities and Del Monte Field, for practice and competition spaces.
Downtown Neighbors
Notre Dame’s local network includes more than 200 Individual Program Partners and Community Partner Organizations to support student learning.
SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
Being located blocks from a university has distinct advantages for a college-preparatory school. Recent field trips have included touring social justice monuments, theater students attending college productions and students with documented learning differences learning how to advocate for themselves in a college setting. Students grow their confidence while being able to preview the college experience. Students can also take courses, like Statistics, for dual enrollment credit with SJSU.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. LIBRARY
This eight-story library is an academic resource for Notre Dame students. Students are issued a library card to access all the San Jose Public Library e-Resources and extensive archives, check out books, and reserve private study rooms. Spanish language students participate in an altar display for Dia De Los Muertos.
SoFA ART VENUES
Our location in the SoFA district provides students with easy access to the art and culture center of San Jose. Within a five-minute walk, students can access the San Jose Museum of Contemporary Art, Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana, City Lights Theater and The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, which is one of five textile museums in all of North America.
CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINT JOSEPH
Rooted deep in the history of the Santa Clara Valley, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph provides Notre Dame students with a wonderful place to worship. Several times a year the students, faculty and staff of Notre Dame walk together to the Cathedral for mass. The sense of community, spirituality and history are felt by all, regardless of religious background.
I really enjoy ND’s placement in downtown San Jose and all the opportunities that come along with it. Having places within walking distance allowed me to easily connect with my classmates and teammates and really allowed me to be immersed in the ND community. One specific instance that I hold close to my heart was visiting Nirvana Soul with one of my friends. It was there that we first bonded over our experience in sports and it was hanging out there together that cemented one of my first friendships at ND.”
• MEI ‘25 •
Education for Justice & Leadership
We develop confident leaders who will find their voice and create a more just world. As people of service and impact, they take their place in the community, standing with, and speaking up for, others. Our culture of Education for Justice and Leadership (EJL) leverages programs and partnerships to ensure that every student at Notre Dame has the opportunity to develop their own skills and perspectives as a justice advocate and community leader. Because we are Catholic, our experience includes prayer, discernment and service for each student. Within our inclusive, multifaith learning community, students can grow in their ability to dialogue and make connections with others while also deepening their own sense of spirituality and self.
• SAINT JULIE BILLIART •
Because We Are Notre Dame Catholic
HALLMARKS OF A NOTRE DAME COMMUNITY
These Hallmarks are the essential characteristics, values and activities shared by all Notre Dame de Namur learning communities.
1 We proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good.
2 3 4 5 6 7
We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.
We educate for and act on behalf of justice, peace, and care for all creation.
We commit ourselves to community service.
We embrace the gift of diversity.
We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve.
We develop holistic learning communities which educate for life.
NOTRE DAME NETWORK & INTERFAITH TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
Students cultivate relationships with other Notre Dame communities and interfaith partners with opportunities to engage in conferences, exchanges, immersion trips and more. Recent trips have included Boston, New Mexico and Notre Dame Seishin in Japan.
Through the religious courses offered I’ve learned how to connect my faith with my actions and advocacy. Something especially unique about ND’s Catholic identity is the emphasis on placing women in spiritual opportunities. The school’s take on equality has helped me feel more valued within the Catholic community and has also rekindled my determination to make the world a better place, one community at a time.”
• KEIRA ‘25 •
95% of surveyed graduates regularly witness the Hallmarks alive at Notre Dame
49 students took the confirmation class to make steps towards receiving their sacrament in 2024-25
12
Notre Dame partnerships in the local community
Learning That Matters
All students engage in grade-level interdisciplinary field trips, annual guest speakers and community events that explore elements of our integrated humanities curriculum.
GRADE-LEVEL FIELD TRIPS
• 9 th Grade: Environment Matters: Stewardship, Community and You, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
• 10 th Grade: Art Matters: Culture, Creativity and Society, de Young Museum
• 11th Grade: Identity Matters: Membership, Responsibility and Historical Stewardship, Japantown
• 12 th Grade: Democracy Matters: Choices, Advocacy and Action, Downtown agencies serving marginalized communities
ND READS
Each year, Notre Dame selects a book to read and discuss as a community. The author comes to campus to engage our community in academic scholarship and intentional dialogue. For the 2024-2025 school year the book is Everything She Touched by Marilyn Chase.
GUEST SPEAKERS
A diverse selection of community partners and content experts provide students with examples of the working application of topics learned in class as well as reflections on their personal experiences. In the 2023-24 academic year, we hosted more than 120 guest speakers.
GLOBAL TRAVEL
These trips combine cultural and language immersion for deeper understanding — trips have included Ecuador, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Costa Rica, Italy and Greece.
IMMERSION TRIPS IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS
These plunges combine social justice and urbanism — locations have included Silicon Valley, East Los Angeles, New Orleans and the San Francisco Tenderloin.
Our ND Reads author talk is open to the public. Please visit our website for more information and to register for our 18th annual ND Reads event: www.ndsj.org/nd-reads
A Commitment to Serve
Our identity as Notre Dame Catholic calls us to work for justice and peace in the world through justice advocacy and direct service. All students commit to community service each year.
GRADE-LEVEL COMMUNITY SERVICE
• 9 th Grade: serving women and children
• 10 th Grade: serving marginalized or vulnerable populations
• 11th Grade: serving our local communities
• 12 th Grade: students select issues to address and communities to serve
SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE
• The Senior Service Learning Experience (SSLE) integrates a Notre Dame student’s curricular and co-curricular learning across four years. Students gain an understanding that service is transformational for the community served as well as the student serving.
• Each year the senior class supports approximately 200 agencies through their SSLE.
Notre Dame uses service as a way to not only help the community and to ‘care for God’s creation,’ but also to provide students with new experiences. The experiences we gain through service opportunities help us empathize with those in our community who are experiencing hardships, while also helping them.”
• JIEA ‘24 •
Start Your Journey
Our admissions process strives to understand the whole person — their academic strengths, character, values and interests. We evaluate applicants on academic readiness and mission alignment, and understand that a student is more than a collection of data points.
To empower our prospective students, we offer choice within the application requirements through our test-optional admissions process. This means that students have the choice either to take the High School Placement Test (HSPT) or to submit an academic sample of work that they feel demonstrates their academic strengths and readiness for high school.
As part of the application process in Ravenna, each applicant will submit a collection of items across three categories:
ACADEMIC
components to demonstrate academic strengths and readiness for high school
PERSONAL FAMILY
components that provides insight into the student’s character, interests and values
components that recognizes the family as a partner in their student’s education
To provide opportunities for students and their families to get to know us, we offer different ways of engaging with Notre Dame. To learn more about our fall events, application process and the Notre Dame experience:
VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ndsj.org/admissions
FIND US on Ravenna CONTACT US ndadmissions@ndsj.org (408) 294-1113 ext. 2165
I truly feel like I belong at Notre Dame and I attribute that to the culture Notre Dame encourages. That shines through everyday in the way students interact with others.”
• ROSE ‘25 •
Their Journey Continues
Anchal
DARTMOUTH > NOTRE DAME > HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Computer Science & Government
My Notre Dame education has taught me the importance of advocacy and curiosity. The experiences I have had as part of the debate and robotics program are invaluable, and I will carry both with me as I embark on my college journey. I chose Harvard for the opportunity to study technology through the lens of a liberal arts education. I plan to pursue a joint major in Computer Science and Government so I can develop the technology to solve those social justice challenges.
Aksithi
STRATFORD > NOTRE DAME > ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY
Biology
Throughout my time at Notre Dame, I have been able to realize my role as a social justice advocate and leader, and discover what I am most passionate about. Like ND, St. Louis University also highly emphasizes compassion and service to the community. I hope to combine my future goal of becoming a physician with my interest in community service to address injustices in the healthcare system.
Ashukem
RIVER GLEN > NOTRE DAME > UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Biomedical Engineering - Premedical
From Notre Dame, I’m taking away a deeper appreciation for diversity, a stronger sense of empathy, and valuable leadership skills. I’ve learned to embrace different perspectives, collaborate effectively, and advocate for positive change. ND has not only expanded my knowledge but also shaped my character, empowering me to make a meaningful impact in the world. I chose UC Irvine for its great programs in my field of interest and the vibrant campus culture.
Haley
ST. CLARE > NOTRE DAME > UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Public Relations & Advertising
Notre Dame’s emphasis on social justice and women’s leadership has shaped me into the person I am today. Over the past four years, I’ve realized my leadership abilities, developed a passion for bettering the systems that govern our daily lives and become more confident in myself. I’ve also had the privilege of learning alongside young women who embody these same values. At USC, I am excited to pursue my passion for serving the public good in the media capital of the world.
Jay
ST. FRANCIS CABRINI > NOTRE DAME > SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
Psychology & Music Education
ND has taught me how to believe in myself and advocate for myself whenever necessary. I learned how to find the right people for a great support system, including teachers, administrators and students! I chose SJSU because of the Music Education and Psychology programs led by amazing professors.
Katia
ST. CHRISTOPHER > NOTRE DAME > BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Nursing
With the immense opportunities Notre Dame offers, I joined every leadership position I could, learned how to parallel park on the streets of downtown and found my passion for healthcare. Through these experiences, I learned that I want to be a nurse and study public health.
Lizzie
ST. JOSEPH CUPERTINO > NOTRE DAME > WEST VALLEY COLLEGE
Theatre Arts
ND has given me confidence. I have chosen to attend West Valley College because it is close to home and will allow me to complete all my general education requirements before transferring to a 4-year university to focus on my major.
London
ST. JOHN VIANNEY > NOTRE DAME > NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
American Literature & Addiction Rehabilitation Studies
Rooted in Notre Dame High School’s commitment to lifelong learning, I’ve embraced the principles of women’s leadership and empowerment. I will embark on NYU’s First Year Away program in Florence, Italy, which will be an opportunity to expand my horizons and become a more informed global citizen.
Thy
OCEAN GROVE CHARTER > NOTRE DAME > YALE UNIVERSITY
Ethics, Politics & Economics & East Asian Studies
Notre Dame’s focus on leadership and social justice has been invaluable in spurring my passion for public service. It has taught me why diverse youth voices must be nurtured and included at every table. At Yale, a community that also values collaboration and advocacy, I plan to continue examining how governments and people alike can address national and global crises. I’m excited to discover how I can amplify minority voices and dismantle systems of oppression.
SHADOW VISITS
For 8th graders from September through December OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, October 19
8th GRADE DAY
Monday, November 11
Friday, December 13
7th GRADE PREVIEW
Tuesday, April 15
Wednesday, April 30
www.ndsj.org/admissions
596 S. 2nd Street
San Jose, CA 95112
Address service requested
www.ndsj.org | @notredamesj
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.”
Notre Dame San Jose is a proud high school of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur