Academics  |  Courses  |  Tuition  |  Spiritual Life  |  Athletics

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Academic Program

Notre Dame Preparatory is building a tradition of academic excellence.  We believe the greatest service we can provide our students is to instill in them a love of learning and to provide them with the necessary skills to pursue their education at a higher level.  Only those students who have a serious approach to academic success should apply. 

Using a seven-period day, students graduate with 28 credits and 125 hours of community service.  In addition, students are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to receive a diploma.  The required course of study is as follows:

The curriculum is carefully planned to include courses that encourage success at the post high school level.  Students and teachers benefit from interdisciplinary strategies and the integration of technology in the classroom.

As a Diocesan Catholic High School, students are required to earn one credit each year in Theology.  These Theology classes include study in the Catholic faith.  These courses include, but are not limited to, Hebrew Scriptures, New Testament, World Religions, Sacraments, Christian Life, Religious Culture, and Family.  In addition, peer counseling and community service provide students with an opportunity to experience “hands-on” the integration of their faith with their community. 

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Course Offerings - click here.

Tuition & Fees

A specific policy outlining the tuition payment procedure is needed, not to cause undue hardship to our families in the community, but rather to ensure that revenues owed to Notre Dame Preparatory will be collected in a predictable fashion.  This will enable Notre Dame to meet its financial obligations in an efficient and business-like manner.

TUITION

Tuition for the 2009-10 school year is $13,150. Tuition for Catholic families registered, active and participating to their Catholic parishes is $10,600. A parish verification form is required for the discounted tuition rate.  Tuition may be paid in full, or in two installments (1/2 prior to July 15, 2009, and the remainder prior to January 1, 2009), or in 10 monthly installments (July-April).  (Payments will be made by electronic transfer through the FACTS Payment Plan, and an annual fee of $38 per family will be charged.)

FINANCES

Because Notre Dame is a religious school, it is not supported with government funds and, therefore, must rely on tuition collection as a means of operating the school.  The tuition cost does not cover the total amount needed to educate each student.  Therefore, the school must rely on income generated from fundraisers, private donations, corporate contributions, and grants.

FEES

In addition to tuition costs, annual Student/Registration Fees are due prior to the beginning of school.  The fees for the 2009-2010 school year for Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors are $400 per student.   Senior Registration Fee is $525, which includes a $125 graduation fee.  Now included in this fee are the costs of each student’s planner and lock.  Families are also responsible for uniform costs ($150-200), as well as textbook purchases ($450-650).  (Note:  In addition to the agreed upon tuition, each family will be asked to help support various fundraisers held throughout the year.)

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid is available to students at Notre Dame Preparatory High School through the Catholic Tuition Organization of the Diocese of Phoenix (CTODP) and the Notre Dame Preparatory High School Scholarship Fund.  Both are based on the financial need of each family and applications are available in the spring from the Business Office for students registered at Notre Dame.  Financial aid covers only a portion of the tuition cost.  The amount of the award is determined after reviewing all applications and the funds available.  This past year, the maximum scholarship aid CTODP awarded a high school student was 45% of the tuition rate for Catholic families, and the maximum scholarship aid Notre Dame Preparatory awarded was $2,000.  No scholarships are granted for athletics.

CATHOLIC TUITION ORGANIZATION
Diocese of Phoenix

Thanks to the Arizona State Legislature, we have an extraordinary opportunity to help thousands of children obtain a Catholic education.  The Arizona Tax Credit Act of 1997 allows any taxpayer with an Arizona income tax liability to make a payment of up to $1,000 to the CTODP and receive a tax credit against his or her state tax obligation.  This means your payment will cost you absolutely nothing.  Those families who wish to take advantage of this opportunity should call Notre Dame’s Business Office at (480) 634-8275 for more details.  Deadline for payment is December 31.

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Spiritual Life

Notre Dame Preparatory is rooted in the beliefs of the Catholic Church.  There are many opportunities for spiritual growth available to students, parents, faculty and staff.  Working with parents, parishes and other church communities, we will challenge the school community to grow closer to Jesus Christ.

MISSION STATEMENT

Always keeping God and family as our priority, Notre Dame Preparatory, a Diocesan Catholic high school, engages in the formation of students by integrating faith in a college preparatory curriculum, promoting academic excellence, moral values and lifelong service.

PHILOSOPHY

Consistent with our Gospel values, Notre Dame is committed to the education of the whole person.  Our purpose is to provide a learning environment that challenges students to accept intellectual, personal, ethical, spiritual, and social responsibilities as a means to prepare them for entrance into college.

Notre Dame Preparatory helps students recognize and realize their potential by responding to the gifts God has given them.  Notre Dame affords opportunities to examine life in a Christian atmosphere, demonstrates concern for individuals in a context in which students become responsible for their own decisions, and encourages students to assume leadership within the community by sharing their gifts with the less fortunate.

By serving young men and women in the Catholic tradition, Notre Dame is committed to learning as a lifelong process.  In order to institute that process, Notre Dame hopes to instill confidence, optimism and compassion in students so that they may help change the world. 

SACRAMENTAL LIFE

• All classes and all student activities begin with prayer.
• School Masses held regularly.
• Class retreats are held annually, providing opportunities for students to think about their relationship with God and develop a sense of community with their peers.
• First Friday Adoration.
• Mass or prayer service is held daily.

Notre Dame Preparatory requires community service of all students as part of our commitment to their spiritual and social growth.  Students must complete 125 hours of service before they graduate.  All students are required to perform Christian service work exclusively with non-profit organizations.  At least 25 hours must be performed at the student’s own parish community.

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Athletic Program

Notre Dame Preparatory recognizes the importance of an athletic program to those students entrusted to our care.  Now that the school has established strong religious and academic programs with clear focus and direction, it is appropriate to build an athletic program that sends the same message about excellence and achievement.  Therefore, the administration of Notre Dame is committed to the development of a quality co-curricular sports program that places the student athlete at the center of attention.

It is our intent to utilize the best characteristics of athletics (leadership, sportsmanship, honesty, discipline, service, and a sense of community) to teach dignity and respect for each individual person, the value of human life and the development of the full human potential.  All student athletes will be taught that they are uniquely gifted by the Creator and are obliged to develop their talents for their own good and the benefit of others.

Based on the above philosophy, Notre Dame is proud to offer the programs listed below.  All students are urged to participate.  Skills learned beyond the basic fundamentals of a particular sport prepare each student athlete to become future leaders of our society.

Athletic Eligibility:
Notre Dame believes all athletes are students first, and therefore, the school has established rules for interscholastic program participation.  These rules are over and above those standards set by the Arizona Interscholastic Association.  The Notre Dame Administration reserves the right to determine the eligibility of all students based upon school academic standards.

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