History
Notre Dame de la Baie Academy was established in 1990 when three former Catholic high schools, St. Joseph Academy (an all-girls school founded in 1896), Abbot Pennings High School (an all-boys school founded in 1898 as St. Norbert High School), and Our Lady of Premontre High School (an all-boys school founded in 1941 as Catholic Central High School that had recently turned co-ed), consolidated. The consolidation was necessary to provide the best high school education to area students. Students and staff from the previous three high schools joined together to create Notre Dame de la Baie Academy; they chose the school's name, colors, crest, and mascot with the mission of building upon the strong foundations established and built by Notre Dame's predecessor schools.
The Predecessor Schools
St. Joseph Academy
St. Joseph Academy was owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, whose headquarters are in St. Louis, Missouri. At the invitation of the Holy Ghost Fathers in charge of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Green Bay, six Sisters came to teach in the St. John School in August 1893, under the direction of Mother Herman Joseph O'Gorman. In 1896, the Sisters began teaching advanced classes for young ladies. They purchased the old Monastery of the Good Shepherd Sisters and, in 1898, there were 15 students at what was called the Academy.
By 1908, there were 31 students at the Academy. The Sisters purchased the Kellogg buildings and property and, as enrollment continued to grow, they added on to the Kellogg House. By 1910, the number of students had grown to the extent that it was necessary to erect a separate school building that connected to the Kellogg House. This new high school opened in 1911, while the elementary school continued to operate in the Kellogg building. In 1941, the elementary school closed due to the growth of the high school and the room it demanded. Another major addition was completed in 1950.
There had been resident students at the Academy from 1903 until 1956. At that time, however, transportation became more available, so it no longer seemed necessary for the girls to reside at the school. The areas used by residents then became available for school use. A Multi-Purpose Center (for all-school liturgies, assemblies, and for use by the physical education department) was added in 1983.
St. Joseph Academy can best be summarized with the words of Sister Helen Zambrowicz, principal 1978 to 1984. She said, "We have three main foci. One, we stress the message of God. The importance of the community is the second focus. Third is the orientation to serve God and others."
St. Norbert High School / Abbot Pennings High School
St. Norbert High School was founded in 1898 as the first educational institution established by the Norbertine Order in the United States. Founded as a college prep boarding school and located on St. Norbert College campus until 1959, in what is today Boyle Hall, St. Norbert High School began with four registered students and their teacher, Abbot Bernard Pennings, O. Praem.
In 1959, the location and name of the school changed. St. Norbert High School, whose enrollment had grown to 180 students, became Abbot Pennings High School, and they moved into the building that formerly housed Nicolet High School in West De Pere. In 1967, the Norbertine Order, due to enrollment gains, added to the school's physical facilities by purchasing the Congregational church and converting in into the Music Hall.
In 1925, Abbot Pennings chose the motto, "Diligamus invicem," "Let us love one another." This motto formed the hallmark in the history of St. Norbert High School and Abbot Pennings High School.
Central Catholic High School / Our Lady of Premontre High Scool
In response to the request of Bishop Paul Rhode of Green Bay, Central Catholic High School opened in 1941 with 265 boys taught by 10 Norbertine Fathers and 2 laymen. The school was housed in the Columbus Club Building in downtown Green Bay during its first 14 years. Then, faced with ever-increasing enrollment and the undeniable fact that the old facilities were becoming less adequate each year, the school's first principal, Abbot Killeen, and his council decided a new school would be built on the west side of Green Bay, nearer the center of the population of Green Bay. Abbot Killeen announced that the new school would be named Our Lady of Premontre High School. It was dedicated to Mary, who according to tradition, gave the first white habit to St. Norbert, founder of the Premonstratensian Canons, in the Valley of Premontre near Laon, France, over eight centuries ago.
Our Lady of Premontre High School opened its doors in 1955 and enrollment grew to more than 900 in the 1960s. The value-centered nature of Catholic education was stressed at Premontre and, thus, strong Religions Curriculum, Campus Ministry, Retreat and Service programs were established. In 1988, under the leadership of principal Fr. Dane Radecki, O. Praem., Premontre became the first coeducational Catholic high school in the Green Bay area.
Notre Dame Academy is located on the west side of Green Bay, Wisconsin, at the intersection of Mason St. and Ridge Rd. The original school building was built in 1955 with major renovations completed in 1998 and 2001. The facility includes a chapel, library, auditorium, classrooms, computer labs, two gymnasiums, weight room, training room, locker rooms, football/soccer practice field and stadium, track, baseball diamond, tennis courts, and more.
Administration / Faculty
The teaching faculty consists of 25 laywomen, 16 laymen, 1 priest, and 1 sister. All faculty hold Bachelor’s degrees, 22 hold advanced degrees, including 2 doctorates, and 6 more are currently working toward an advanced degree. The average years of teaching experience among the faculty is 14 years.
