Academic Support

Notre Dame recognizes that not all students learn in the same way.  Some students have specific learning challenges.  We will review public school IEPs, private school Service Plans, and 504 Plans from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states. Families of children who struggle with learning enter into a partnership at Notre Dame. Through this partnership of the family, the learning needs coordinator, the teachers, the counselor, we can work to support the child's learning needs. 

We realize that not all students can score well on standardized tests.  We take into account a student's backup testing from his or her previous school.  We look at grades from the past 3 years and teacher recommendations.  We interview the student and the parents.  If a student submits documentation such as an IEP, 504 Plan, or private testing, this is also considered during the admission process.  Our goal is to ensure that each student we accept has the opportunity to be successful at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame is a college preparatory high school.  We offer a challenging academic environment, but we are respectful of varying learning styles and needs.  We will review all documentation sent to us to determine what specific accommodations are needed by individual students.  Typically, we can accommodate 50% extended time on tests, quizzes, and exams.  We also support preferential seating.  Notre Dame is a BYOD school, so students can use their devices to take notes and work on their assignments.  Spell check and grammar check are part of most devices.  Many teachers post their PowerPoint presentations on their class webpages.

Students who have current Service Plans, IEPs, or 504 Plans can usually have the accommodations listed in the formal plan.  A copy of the most recent plan should be forwarded to Rick Smith for review.  Mr. Smith is the Learning Needs Coordinator at Notre Dame High School.  Records can be mailed to her at Notre Dame High School, 601 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.  Records can also be emailed to smithr@ndnj.org  You will find a form to the right under Downloads that you can give to your child's current school which allows them to forward special education records to Notre Dame. 

Feel free to contact Rick Smith, the Learning Needs Coordinator, if you have questions or concerns.