About Notre Dame
Departments/Curriculum
- English
- Social Studies
- Science
- Math
- Modern Language
- Religion
- Art Department
- Communications Department
- Music Department
- Business
- Family and Consumer Science (F.A.C.S.)
- Guidance Center
- Physical Education
Overall Curriculum
- This is a four year requirement.
- Courses are offered in both literature and writing with a variety of electives.
- Electives include journalism and media classes
- College credit offered through St. Louis University
- Through the curriculum of the Social Studies Department, students will be able to identify and articulate the political, economic, and social elements of World History, American History, and World Politics.
- Courses enable students to develop a global perspective and understand the realities of the increasing interdependence of our world. Students also analyze the democratic process and develop a commitment to responsible citizenship.
- Students have access to three science labs equipped for biology, chemistry, and physics experiments. The facilities also include a science lecture room.
- The Science Department provides curricula and instruction in which students learn the facts associated with the sciences in a laboratory setting. Critical thinking, such as analysis and organization, will lead to scientific literacy and the student’s global awareness to protect and preserve the earth and all life.
- The Mathematics department offers courses on three ability levels. Students on all levels have the opportunity to complete at least four years of Math with the possibility of six. The Honors program begins freshman year and ends with college credit in Calculus. Students learn attention to detail and the importance of organized and accurate work.
- Most students complete their mathematics work at school during their unstructured time in one of the three mathematics learning centers staffed by five full-time teachers who provide help and encouragement. That means less mathematics work at home and less parent frustration!
- The Modern Language Department offers students the options of French and Spanish that may be taken for 4 years. French and Spanish levels 3 and 4 are offered for college credit through St. Louis University.
- Students are required to spend time in the sole purpose Language Lab, staffed with 20 computers, interactive CDs, DVDs and listening activities that correspond to textbook teaching.
- All students are required to complete four years of formal religion classes for graduation. In class, we explore what it means to be a Christian woman in today’s world focusing on our relationship with God and our relationship with the community.
- Courses that the students study include Christian person, Sacred Scripture, Encountering Jesus, Living Church, Moral Development, Life Styles and Social Justice.
Fine Arts
- Department offers several options for students to explore their interests in visual art including beginning and advanced level courses in drawing, painting, photography, crafts, ceramics, and sculpture. Students enjoy 2 large studio areas, a dark room, clay room with two wheels and a kiln, as well as extensive text, videotape, slide and magazine resources.
- The department celebrates many artistic achievements every spring with acceptance into competitive, juried high school art shows. Students are also accustomed to receiving honors in these shows and acquiring sizeable college scholarships, entirely or in part, for their artistic talents.
Communications Department (speech and drama)
- Department represents both speech and Drama. Classes included are Effective Communications, Public Speaking, Theatre Arts, Introduction to Acting,
- Advanced Acting, Film Arts, Theatre on the Go, Directing and the interdisciplinary Musical Theatre. All are semester classes and are 5 CMs.
- Students through class, also have the opportunity to direct the plays. This allows a student to be involved from beginning to the end of the production including choosing and casting a play and be the producer involving marketing and finances.
- Students can participate in non-competitive choirs through classes offered in the Music Department.
- Some students may wish to study music without the pressure of performing. Two classes, Music Through the Ages and Musical Theatre, provide an option to study music on a more historical level.
- All courses are taught in a state of the art computer lab using the latest technology and software programs. Course selection includes: Web Design & Computer Graphics, Microsoft Office 2007 Suites, Video Editing, Adobe CS Suites, Personal Finance, Quickbooks, Accounting, and Further Topics in Business.
- ND also offers a Leadership Skills class, in which students design & implement a project for the school/community. The course develops a student’s self-esteem, public speaking skills, communication, project planning, collaboration & cooperation with their peers, and goal setting.
Family and Consumer Science (F.A.C.S.)
- The FACS Department emphasizes essential living skills while providing the student with knowledge of the practical applications of the “basics”.
Elective courses offered in nutrition and foods, world foods, child and family development, fashion, clothing construction, and housing and interior design. - There are 4 kitchen units and a full size sewing lab.
- Notre Dame has two full time counselors on staff that assist the students in counseling services, career information, college information, ACT/SAT testing, and financial aid. Individual and group sessions enable students to obtain information, set goals, implement strategies and make progress in personal growth and development, academic achievement, career choices and post high school plans. Students also meet with College representatives through the Guidance Center.
- Notre Dame’s Learning Consultant works with classroom teachers, students, parents and administration to help them effectively select and design instruction methods, material, or activities to meet the special needs of its learners.
- Health is a required course for Freshman covering the content of health and wellness, substance abuse, catastrophic diseases, reproductive health.
- Students are also introduced to a variety of physical education activities including volleyball, basketball, other team sports, calisthenics, along with taking the President’s Challenge and the Fitness Gram.
- Dance Program- offered as a PE class in our own dance studio located on campus. All levels are offered.
- The different styles taught consist of Ballet, Lyrical, Tap, Jazz, and Hip Hop. Taught by an award winning 1998 ND alumni, Diana Sucher, she has choreographed over 25 musicals for Notre Dame and community theatre.
