Meet Our President & Principal

Ken Jennings and Michele Martinez walking down a path lined by trees

Mr. Ken Jennings

Appointed President of Notre Dame High School on July 1, 2019
Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Caldwell College
Master of Divinity Degree from Seton Hall University
BA in English literature from Fordham University
Former Principal of St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in California, Principal of DePaul Catholic High School, and Principal of Benedictine Academy

Letter from the President

Welcome to the Notre Dame High School Family:

My name is Kenneth Jennings, and I am deeply honored and proud to serve as the President of our esteemed college preparatory high school, a ministry of the Diocese of Trenton founded by the Sisters of Mercy with a mission to educate young women and men “to realize their full potential.”

As you explore our website and the many offerings that Notre Dame can provide during the critical formation years of high school, please be assured that a Notre Dame education will allow your child to be formed with the intellectual foundations that will prepare them for the rigors of a college education.

Notre Dame supports each student with its exemplary faculty, who have advanced degrees in their subject matter and a committed passion for helping your child explore subjects, languages, and courses that will ignite their passion for discovery.

Our campus ministry and service programs will challenge them to reflect on ways that they can live the Mercy Core values of “service, compassion, integrity, justice, and respect” through a love of neighbor and active service to our world. I am proud of our OCIA program, which prepares Catholic students to receive their initiation sacraments.

Our athletic and performing arts programs enable students to develop their skills outside the classrooms with outstanding coaches and mentors who bring them to the next level of skill and competition.

As President, I am also equally impressed by our school's dynamic growth as we continue to innovate with new technology in the classroom, a widely popular eSports program, and a new First Robotics club.

I thank you for your interest in Notre Dame High School. If you stop by for a visit, an Open House, or Irish for a day, I eagerly look forward to greeting you and welcoming you to your new home. Go Irish!

Kenneth Jennings
President, Notre Dame High School

Ms. Michele Martinez

NJ School educator for over 30 years
Master's Degree in Education-School Leadership at Wilmington University
BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Spanish
Past educational leadership positions include Vice Principal of Academic Affairs, High School Vice Principal of Student Activities and Discipline, High School Principal of Alternative Education, Elementary School Principal, District Director of Special Education

Letter from the Principal

Welcome to a New Year at Notre Dame High School

I am thrilled to commence another exciting year of growth and learning. We extend our warmest welcome to our family's familiar and new faces. We are more than a school, we are a community bound by Mercy Core values and our Catholic mission.

We have an exciting year ahead filled with enriching activities and a robust curriculum. With the introduction of our new Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, Mrs. McCauley, we are eager to enhance our academic environment further through:

Partnership and Support
Our school thrives on the partnership between families and the school. Your active involvement is crucial to creating a nurturing environment for our students. We provide several academic support labs and organizations for parents to ensure our students' educational and emotional success.

Community and Respect
We foster a culture of respect, promoting an environment where every individual feels seen, valued, and heard. We encourage active engagement in school life through participating in activities, attending events, and building relationships. I want to ensure that all students, parents, and faculty feel heard and valued.

Guidance and Responsibility
We are committed to equipping our students with the tools to navigate life's challenges and opportunities with resilience and grace. Our guidance counselors and campus ministry are always available for support. We also trust our students to be role models to each other, helping to uphold the spirit of Notre Dame.

Expectations and Well-being

As we embark on this journey together, we expect our students to:
Arrive at school on time, ready to learn
Display respect for the school environment, teachers, administrators, and parents
Stay true to their values and respect themselves
Pay attention to their physical, emotional, and social health

We look forward to a year filled with discovery, friendships, and growth while continually fostering our faith and relationship with God. Together, we will ensure that Notre Dame High School remains a nurturing, inclusive, and thriving community.
Here's to a successful and enriching school year!

Best Regards,

Michele Martinez
Principal, Notre Dame High School

Navigation

In This Section