Academy of Notre Dame

Background

The Academy of Notre Dame was established in 1854 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Lowell, Massachusetts. The boarding school outgrew that location and moved to rural Tyngsboro, on land formerly belonging to actress Nance O'Neil, in 1927. The school phased out boarding in the 1960s.

Student life

The Academy of Notre Dame is co-educational for students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, and is an all-girls high school.

The high school girls are very well rounded in that they are given the opportunity to be involved in many extra-curricular activities. The school offers many programs including: Liturgy committee, liturgical dance, drama, art programs, Glee Club, Blue and Gold, Campus Ministry, soccer, volleyball, softball, basketball, Amnesty International, breakfast and books, crafter's guild, math club, Model UN, missions, S.A.D.D, recycling committee, newspaper and many more.

During All School events, the entire school comes out bursting with crazy colors and designs during Spirit Week. In addition, there are special “no uniform” days when you can show your style while supporting missions run by the Sisters of Notre Dame, help raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness, help a family in need, bring in food, blanket and toy donations.

The Academy also offers opportunities for International Students. The school's nurturing atmosphere allows international students to succeed academically while transitioning into an English only classroom. There are numerous opportunities for all students to enrich their knowledge and extra-curricular activities. Host families, usually families already a part of the Academy, help international students assimilate to their new life at the Academy and in America.

Academics

Early Years Program (Pre-K, K2) As part of the Academy’s commitment to teach children what they “need to know for life”, the Academy has pioneered a four-tier Early Years Program (EYP). Unlike traditional programs that use age as the sole criteria for placement, the EYP takes into account skills and social development as well. The Academy recognizes the early years as stages of critical development, and accepts children from age two years, nine months through age five and a half. The four stages of the EYP are: Learn and Discover (Age: 2 years, 9 months), Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K), Kindergarten 1 (K1), and Kindergarten 2 (K2).

Elementary Programs (Grades: 1-5) Elementary curriculum includes Religion, Mathematics, Reading & Language Arts, Science & Technology, Social Studies, and World languages. All elementary school curricula comply fully with Massachusetts State Standards and federal CORE guidelines.

Middle School Programs (Grades: 6-8) Science, math and technology form a high priority at the Academy. Students solidify their basic knowledge of math operations and expand their problem-solving abilities through pre-Algebra and Algebra studies, with early geometry and advanced measurement competency. Those students who qualify for the REACH Program have the opportunity to graduate at an elevated grade level in math. Learn more about the STEM Program for integrated Science, Technology, Engineering and Math inquiry-based learning, in which all Academy students participate.

Humanities studies focus on Theology, Social Studies, Language Arts, World Languages, as well as Art and Music classes. Theological studies explore Bible literacy, while emphasizing moral character and social responsibility, both within the Academy community and in the broader world. Social studies focus on the Ancient World and US Government, which ensures students understand the elements of western civilization grounded in the American polity. In Language Arts, students gain skills in approaching a wide range of literary genres, while mastering increasingly complex writing challenges. Language study provides options for French or Spanish, while art and music are emphasized both through specialized classes and in many of the humanities classrooms. Learn more about the Academy's REACH Program for accelerated learning in Language Arts and the World Language Program. See more on the Humanities Curriculum.

High School Programs (Grades: 9-12) The Academy High School Program is a single-sex school for young women. The Theology curriculum includes Introduction to Hebrew Scriptures, Facing History & Ourselves, Introduction to the New Testament, Living a Christian Lifestyle, Church History, World Religions, Ethics, and Issues in Social Injustice. The English curriculum includes Literary Genres & Writing Composition, World Literature & Writing Composition, American Literature Analysis & Writing, British Literature & Literary Analysis, and various electives. The Social Studies curriculum includes World History: Prehistory to 1700 (including Meso-America & Exploration of the New World), World History: 1700 to the Present (including American Colonial History), US History & Government, and AP US Government, Current Issues.

The Mathematics curriculum includes Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. Finite Math and Statistics are offered as electives. The Science curriculum includes Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology. The World Language curriculum includes Latin and offers the choice of Spanish or French. The Fine Arts curriculum includes Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation and a variety of Fine Arts electives. At the Academy, technology is integrated into the core courses of the High School curriculum. The computer lab is available during class time for teachers of all disciplines to bring their students in to use the computers. The High School Technology teacher is present in the room to support the technology and the Subject teacher is there to help students with the content.

High School Athletic Programs

The Academy offers 10 different teams, some with both varsity and junior varsity programs. The Academy’s Athletic Program strives to offer a range of both team and individual sports, several of which have a no-cut policy. These are broken up into three seasons: fall, winter and spring. There are nine Varsity level teams and four Jr. Varsity teams; Cross Country (no cut), Var. & JV Soccer (no cut), Swimming & Diving (no cut),Var. & JV Volleyball, Var. & JV Basketball, Indoor Track (no cut), Var. & JV Softball (no cut), Tennis, and Track & Field (no cut). The Academy’s Athletic Program is a member in good standing of the (MIAA) Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, the (CAC) Commonwealth Athletic Conference and the (MVC) Merrimack Valley Conference (Swimming & Diving, Indoor Track and Tennis only).

Uniforms

Pre-Kindergarten through Five (K-5)

The current uniforms for K-5 consist of a blue polo and navy blue slacks for the boys and either a blue, white, or yellow blouse with a primarily navy blue and yellow jumper for the girls. Both genders have the option of wearing a navy sweater.

Grades Six through Eight

The middle school uniforms consist of navy blue or tan slacks and a white, navy blue, grey, or yellow polo for the boys. Girls can wear a white, gray, yellow, or navy blue polo shirt. With a pleated kilt, navy blue, or khakis slaks. The girls wear knee highs with black or brown dress shoes or black or white sneakers.

K–8

All girls in grades K–8 wear navy blue knee-highs, with the option to substitute with navy tights. In cold weather they have the option to wear navy corduroy slacks.

Students in K–8 are required to have uniforms for physical education. These consist of gold tee-shirts with the NDA logo in blue on them along with mesh shorts (the shorts must have the NDA logo on them). From November through April students are required to wear a combination of navy sweatpants and sweatshirt with the school logo in gold.

High School

The high school uniform is very different. Girls have the option of a white oxford or a polo, or pink, navy or burgundy polos with a woolen plaid, pleated skirt or kilt that is primarily gray with accents of navy and burgundy. Sweaters are optional and are either navy or burgundy. Throughout the year, girls are allowed to wear khakis. Knee-highs are navy, burgundy, or gray, and can be substituted with tights of the same colors. The girls are to look neat and presentable at all times.

The high school students do not have gym uniforms.