FAQs

Notre Dame has a full range of honors and AP programs. Qualified students can be admitted into Honors English, Global Studies, Math, and STEM at the freshman level.  AP World History and AP European History are also offered to freshmen. 

Notre Dame believes in providing diverse learning opportunities. We offer dual enrollment programs with select colleges and universities as part of this commitment. These programs allow students to earn college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start in their higher education journey. 

Course placement is based on several factors: grades, standardized test scores, the placement test, and teachers' recommendations. Students scoring 90% and above in all areas are typically placed in honors courses. 

Yes. About 18% of the Notre Dame student body has a documented learning difference. Our learning plans, or ISPs (known as IEPs in public school), afford students in-class support and individual or small-group supplementary instruction sessions. We also have accommodation plans (also known as 504 plans in public school) to provide classroom accommodations such as extended time on assessments, preferential seating, and more based on the student's needs. Every Notre Dame student is held to the same curricular expectations, but support is in place for students who need it.

Students can access academic support in several ways; the following supports are available to every student within our walls for free! 

• Daily Activity Period: students can meet with their teachers during this 30-minute block. 
• Writing, Math & Science Labs meet after school on a weekly basis.
• National Honor Society Tutors: Our NHS members are available to work with students as peer tutors during the activity period, Monday through Thursday.
• Executive Functioning Course: Students who struggle with these vital skills can take a semester-long course to build time management, study skills, and organizational strategies.
• Office Hours & Reading Days: each semester, we build in hours for students to collaborate and seek out help from teachers to find success
• Students with documented learning needs can contact Rick Smith, Notre Dame's Learning Needs Coordinator, at smithr@ndnj.org. He is happy to help however he can!

Yes! Seniors can explore future career paths by completing a professional internship. An internship is worth 2.5 credits and is completed in a single school semester or over the summer. A student must reach 60 on-site hours to complete the internship. Those who apply and are accepted may complete an internship in one of our school departments during the school day, at an offsite location after school hours, or during the summer.

99% of seniors graduate and head to a four-year college or university. Students also attend one of the nation’s military academies.

Major disciplines offer classes that are 80 minutes long, giving students ample time for analysis, research, experimentation, and discovery. The longer periods allow for more hands-on laboratory work in science, more opportunities for creative production in art, and ample time for discussion, reflection, and mastery of all subjects. Electives are typically 40 minutes long and offer students opportunities to learn about the arts, creative writing, and public speaking.

Notre Dame offers many opportunities for students who want to pursue their talents. Students may be involved in productions through coursework and co-curricular activities, whether onstage or behind the scenes. Students can also participate in the building, painting, and technical aspects of production. 

School productions include:

• Fall Production in November
• Christmas Concert in December
• Fusion (Dance Performance) in January
• Spring Musical in March
• Spring Drama in May
• Spring Arts Concert and Festival in May

The Visual Arts program at Notre Dame offers diverse courses, including drawing, painting, graphic design, ceramics, and film. The curriculum caters to students of all skill levels, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and relevance to modern life. Visual Arts Courses: 2D Arts: Art 1, Art 2, Art 3 Honors, AP Studio Art (Drawing and 2D Design), Illustration, Graphic Design, Film 3D Arts: Ceramics, Advanced Ceramics, 3D Fundamentals

Notre Dame has 55 sports teams, 28 of which are varsity-level athletics. There is a Fall*, Winter, and Spring sports season. 
*Pre-season tryouts for fall sports begin in mid-August, and all interested students are expected to attend.

Our athletics department offers many no-cut sports, which allows every student to experience high school athletics. (Cross Country, Football, Diving, Swimming, Winter Track, Wrestling, Spring Track and Field)

We have a robust strength and conditioning program with a Coach certified by the NSCA as a strength and conditioning specialist and certified by USA Weightlifting.

Students must take a religion class each year because supporting students on their faith journey and serving others is the foundation of Notre Dame High School's religion curriculum and service program. The school's Catholic faith and service-centered approach foster a deep understanding of Gospel values, moral decision-making, and global citizenship.

Students must complete a minimum number of service hours and are encouraged to initiate their own service projects. The ICAN Program and Honors Service Classes offer various opportunities for students to serve the community through non-profit programs and leadership roles. Most of our students accomplish well beyond the minimum requirements, and some are awarded Presidential Medals of Service for performing hundreds of hours of service per year.

• Grade 9         8 Hours of Service
• Grade 10     12 Hours of Service
• Grade 11     12 Hours of Service
• Grade 12     16 Hours of Service

Notre Dame was founded in 1957 by the Sisters of Mercy. Their charism, the Mercy Core Values, is still alive throughout our hallways. These five tenants are integrated into everything we do. All families, Catholic or non-Catholic, appreciate the development of these characteristics in their children.

Service: We joyfully extend our energy and resources on behalf of the poor, sick, and underprivileged, working to relieve misery and address its causes where possible.
Compassion: We embrace the joys and sorrows of others to whom and with whom we minister and are moved to action in solidarity with the human community.
Justice: We believe ordering of right relationships with all persons and all creation is fundamental to our advocacy for structures that protect the vulnerable.
Integrity: We believe that moral principles, such as honesty and sincerity, are the basis of trustworthiness in all encounters.
Respect: We reverence the dignity of all persons and all life as gifts of God and strive to promote community in our world.

Once a month, we prioritize coming together as a community for Liturgy. Students are involved as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and altar servers. They also enhance our liturgies with music and song. Liturgy is also celebrated on holy days of obligation and all religious holidays. Some masses are livestreamed on the ND YouTube channel.

You can apply on our website by clicking the “APPLY” button. Important admission dates are on the freshman application page. Letters of recommendation, transcripts, and standardized testing are all requested and obtained via the application. Interviews are also required of all applicants with at least one parent/guardian attending. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact  the Enrollment Management Office. What fees are associated with applying to Notre Dame? There is a $50 application fee. 

There is a $50 application fee. 

Freshmen take the High School Placement Test (HSPT), offered at Notre Dame High School. Those taking the SSAT select Notre Dame High School (NJ) at the time of registration as one of the schools receiving the test scores.

We encourage interested students to spend the day with us and be “Irish for a Day.” Irish for a Day is a program where your son/daughter can spend the day on our campus. They will have a mini schedule with our faculty and get a campus tour from a student ambassador. You can schedule your tour on our website. 

All students must follow a dress code and wear the approved uniform clothing items and shoes. 

With over 50+, co-curricular activities provide many opportunities to find your niche and meet new people. At Notre Dame, it wouldn't be unusual for one student to play on the football team, sing in the choir, and meet with the book club. Thanks to our block scheduling and daily activity period, getting involved is very easy! Check out our Student Life page for a full list of clubs.

Limited financial assistance is available to families with demonstrated financial needs, and applications can be made through FACTS. FACTS Applications will be available in October of the year before enrollment. There is a $35 fee associated with the FACTS application. Learn more about financial aid and available scholarships. 

In 2024, Notre Dame provided $1.4 million in financial aid and scholarships. 

Notre Dame offers Merit Scholarships to incoming freshmen with a strong academic achievement. Non-merit-based scholarships are available to eligible individuals. Families must submit their financial aid applications through FACTS to be considered.

The Family First Tuition Model is designed to help families budget for their children's education. It enhances our families' Notre Dame experience through its predictability and simplicity. The model locks the tuition rate for the incoming Freshman Class over four years so that families do not incur additional tuition costs and can budget accordingly.

Many local school districts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania provide normal school-day busing to Notre Dame. Bussing is contingent on enrollment within various school districts. For more busing information, contact transportation@ndnj.org.