Course Offerings

Once the master course schedule is completed, students and their parents will review the courses in which the student is enrolled for the fall.

In the event of an error in scheduling or the inability to meet a student request, we ask you to contact the school via a form available online. Please do not call the school to request a change. The online form for course requests will be open for one week in the spring: Monday, May 9th through Friday, May 13th.  Requests for changes will be reviewed and responded to no later than Friday, May 20th.  Due to staffing and class size constraints, not all requests for changes can be accommodated.

Student schedules for 2022-23 will be available over the summer starting in early July. Again, the online form for course changes will be open for one week before the beginning of the school year from Monday, August 1st - Friday, August 5th.  Requests for course changes must be submitted using the online form before the end of the day on Friday, August 5. Requests for changes will be reviewed and responded to no later than Friday, August 12.  

We ask all students and parents to make plans accordingly over the summer so that necessary changes in student courses take place effectively. Due to staffing and class size constraints, not all requests can be accommodated.

No further course changes will be made after the August 5th change request deadline until after the school year begins. Please refer to the Student Handbook for details regarding dropping / adding classes after the beginning of the school year..

As always, teachers and school counselors are available at any time school is in session to answer your questions regarding specific courses and academic plans.

All students are required to earn 27 credits to graduate.

*Pass U.S. Civics Exam

Students must make the appropriate academic progress toward graduation. The normal academic load for a student is seven classes and one study hall. (For seniors: six classes and a study hall). Students may request to take additional classes with permission.  If a student repeats a class, the new grade will replace the original grade only if the original grade was a “C-” or lower.  In this case, the GPA will be recalculated to include the new grade.  Repeated courses will not receive double credit.

Notre Dame Academy is committed to offering a Catholic high school education for all families. Academic programming that suits each student is key to our mission. NDA offers programs for emerging learners, students seeking an honors, IB Career and Diploma Programme, dual credit, and those seeking a general college preparatory high school experience.

Learning is one of NDA’s core values, and courses focus heavily on inquiry, study and mastery of course content. Students learn as they encounter new ideas and experiences. High school students are varied in their approaches to learning: sometimes students need to step up and put forth additional effort. Working to meet the challenges of a tough class rather than looking for ways to remove it is important. In helping students to rise to meet the challenges of rigorous courses, we are teaching students resilience, how to honor their commitments, and how to work through hardship.

• We do not allow students to change their minds when they reflect on their course choices over the summer or when classes start.
   
• When students make initial commitments to courses, parents and students must consider the workload for the student during the upcoming school year. Social commitments and time to be a teenager are important experiences for which to provide time.
   
• Balance includes the various levels of academic difficulty of classes.
   
• It is a good idea for students to plan out all four years of high school in order to balance academic challenges.
   
• While challenging themselves is encouraged, challenging themselves in too many areas can be problematic for students.

• Alternate choices are required for all elective courses, except world languages (fine arts, business, applied sciences, senior theology, physical education, social studies electives)
   
• Students must choose their first and alternate courses wisely. While every effort is made to maximize student choices in building the master schedule, it is likely juniors and seniors will receive at least one alternate course. 
   
• We do not allow schedule changes when students “change their minds” about electives and alternates.
   
• Students need to select different courses for alternates. Choosing the same course as a primary and an alternate does not increase the odds of successfully scheduling that course.

The Applied Sciences and Technology Department offers a curriculum to provide introductory instruction in technology and business. One-half credit in computer literacy is required for all Notre Dame Academy students. All courses include the development of critical thinking and reading skills as well as subject specific skills. In consultation with teachers, school counselors and parents / guardians, freshmen through seniors choose electives in Applied Sciences and Technology courses that are geared specifically toward their own interests and academic or career goals.

Number of credits required for graduation: .5 credits in Computer Applications

Number of Fine Arts credits required for graduation: .5 credits

All sophomores are required to complete community service hours with a marginalized population and write a reflection paper on their service experience.  Details regarding hours and possible locations will be provided to sophomores and their families as part of their sophomore theology class. Service hours may begin during the summer after freshman year and are to be completed by April 15th of sophomore year.

* Students must take honors-level language in year 3 in order to enroll in honor-level or IB language year 4.