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Administrators�Mrs. Alice Cotti– Principal�Dr. Michelle Fanara – Vice Principal of Curriculum & Instruction�Mrs. Laurel Harris – Vice Principal of Academic Affairs

Academic Team

Counselors

Ten Academic Counselors – 6 College Counselors (juniors & seniors) and 4 Counselors (9-10)
Counselor assigned by student last name. Students meet their counselor at Freshman orientation
Students 9-10 stay with the same counselor for 2 years. Fall of Junior year, students move to a dedicated college counselor
College counseling begins in 9^th grade – Counselor visits, appointments, academic 4-year plans, summer opportunities, advice, healthy academic balance, PSAT, test planning, etc.
Counselors also assist with academic, personal, and psycho-emotional support of the student
Individual and Group counseling as needed (e.g. grief support, family and peer support, etc.)
Support and programs for parents in navigating their children through the teen and high school years

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How the Schedule Works

Monday through Friday – Class hours 8:25 – 3:00; 80 minutes blocks
Alternating days – Blue day periods 1, 2, 3, 4; Gold day periods 5, 6, 7, X-period. X-period is open time for students to use as they need to meet with teachers/counselor, get extra assistance, complete make-up tests, work on group projects, complete HW, meet with a club, etc
For planning, think of your schedule in 2 day and 2-week increments. Classes listed here are just an example. It is possible to have multiple honors course or core academic courses on the same day or a more rigorous Blue or Gold day schedule. Class periods are scheduled automatically and cannot be chosen by the student!

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Office hours	Office Hours	Office Hours	Office Hours
P1 - Geometry	P5 – Japanese I	P1 - Geometry	P5 - Japanese I	P1 - Geometry
P2 - English	P6 - Theology	P2 - English	P6 - Theology	P2 - English
P3 – Per. Fit	P7 - Acting	P3 - Per. Fit	P7 - Acting	P3 - Per. Fit
P4 – Biology (H)	X (80 minutes)	P4 – Biology (H)	X (80 minutes)	P4 - Biology (H)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Office Hours	Office Hours	Office Hours	Office Hours
P5 - Japanese I	P1 - Geometry	P5 - Japanese I	P1 - Geometry	P5 - Japanese I
P6 - Theology	P2 - English	P6 - Theology	P2 - English	P6 - Theology
P7 - Acting	P3 - Per. Fit	P7 - Acting	P3 - Per. Fit	P7 - Acting
X (80 minutes)	P4 - Biology (H)	X (80 minutes)	P4 - Biology (H)	X (80 minutes)

Sample Class Schedule

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Daily Attendance�

Please consult the school calendar before planning family vacations or other trips.�
Once a student reaches 5 absences in a course, the Dean will contact you. If a student reaches 8 absences in a course, parents will be called in to meet with the Mrs. Cotti and the student may be at risk of not receiving credit for the course.�
Parents must send an email to attendance@ndhs.org before 9:00 AM if a student will be absent for the entire school day or part of a school day. �
Long term absences during the school year must be reported to and approved by Mrs. Cotti.�
Attendance during semester exams is mandatory. Exams will not be administered early due to family vacations. Exams missed due to illness require a doctor’s note before a makeup exam will be scheduled by Dr. Fanara.�
GRADES EARNED freshman year matter and determine coursework for 10^th grade.

Your regular attendance at school is very important to your academic success.

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General Homework Expectations

Subject	College Preparatory	Honors
English vs H. English I	Average of 20 pages reading per class. HW questions, prompts, etc. 3 major essays each semester.	Reading per class 20 -35 pages and takes about 30-45 minutes. Other HW/week-end work average 90 minutes – 2 hours per week. 2^nd semester 2 ½ - 3 hours. Group projects each term which may require library research outside of class.
Biology vs H. Biology	45 min – 1 hour per class; 2-3 hours per week. HW/reading quiz each class	1 hour or more per class; 3 – 3 1/2 hours per week. Content is more in depth and with critical inquiry. HW/reading quizzes
Honors Ethnic Studies vs Ethnic Studies	45 – 1 hour per class; 2-3 per week. Sketch books and projects.	Minimum 1 hour per class (2-4 per week). Study outlines weekly. Evidence-based reading and writing.
CP Math vs Honors Math	HW after every class. Time required varies and is usually between 45 minutes and 75 minutes per lesson for most students. Aleks math practice in addition to HW each week.	1 hour minimum per class. Problems assigned are more challenging. Content moves more quickly and is covered in greater depth. Challenge problems. Aleks math practice in addition to HW each week.
Language Level 1 vs Honors	Level 1 or 2: 1 hour each class plus on weekends. Project each semester. HW includes oral practice.	Hon. Level 2 or 3: 1 1/2 – 2 hours each class plus 2- 4 hours per week additional out of class time. Project each semester. Includes oral practice.

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Honors Students Can Expect …

High School Honors classes are designed to be rigorous and challenging in terms of content standards, teacher expectations, type, and quality of work required. These courses are designed to prepare students to take AP courses as early as sophomore year. Expect:

more thoughtful and challenging assignments, more critical analysis and cross-curricular understanding, and more complex reading/homework/projects that may take longer to complete
depth and breadth of content (e.g., challenge problems, more difficult readings, longer papers, higher order thinking, evidence-based reading and writing, etc.)
a transition period where you may not get A’s and maybe won’t even get B’s – especially at first

Characteristics of successful Notre Dame Honors Students

Academically self-motivated and self-disciplined; ability to stay organized, on task, and meet deadlines
Strong work ethic, excellent attendance, focused, committed to academic integrity
Ability to balance school-work, school and outside activities, and personal time; don’t take on more than they can handle.
Uses time well and effectively; commits is attending X-period/office hours to support success
Comfortable communicating with teacher; proactive when absent
Ability to make connections to previously learned material and across the curriculum
Strong reading, writing, and oral communication; engage critically and constructively with others
Distinguish between fact and opinion; inquiry-based, thoughtful, and curious learner
Prepare independently for various types of examinations and devise strategies for success
Accept & learn from constructive criticism; strong self-awareness of learning and need for help

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Freshman Year at Notre Dame

Our goal is to have happy, involved, confident, well-balanced Knights!

Maintain a healthy balance between academic, extracurricular and personal lives.
Don’t overload yourself. Go slowly. High school is a marathon … not sprint!
Classes are full-year commitments and cannot be dropped at the end of the semester. Better to get “A’s” in 9^th and move to honors/AP for 10^th grade and beyond, than to earn a “C’s” or worse in 9^th grade and limit your GPA and opportunities available going forward.
We want students to have time to enjoy the high school experience and have time for fun, family, and friends. We want you to sleep well and stay physically and mentally healthy!

What other things are on your plate?

Think about: Academic goals/motivation, other time commitments (sports, debate, band, cheer, outside school activities, etc.), homework level and the time it usually takes you, home responsibilities, extra support needed, ability work independently outside of school, personal passions, weekend commitments, ability to manage time, organization, ability to balance academics with the other aspects of your life.
Starting high school is a step up. Each high school advanced or honors class is a step up. Being involved in Band, Sports, Debate, and other school activities are all steps up.

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Communications

Parent Newsletter

Sent monthly to the email address on file
Please read the entire document - Important information for the coming month

Chain of Communication

You may be used to contacting the Principal at the K-8 level, but at the high school level, you should follow the chain of communication.
Always start with the teacher first
Next step: Department Chairperson
Next step: Vice Principal of Instruction or Vice Principal of Academic Affairs
Final step: Principal

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Final Exams

Fall Semester 2026 Dates:

Monday, December 14th - Thursday, December 17th

Please do not make travel plans until final exams conclude.

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Course Requests�

Placement in Honors courses in 9^th grade is based on HSPT scores (~90+) and/or Notre Dame placement exams, plus grades and teacher recommendations.
Developmentally - All students become ready for Honors and AP (college-level) courses at different times in their high school career. Some are ready now – others need a year or even two to three to gain the higher-level thinking skills and foundation important for success at the next level.
All core courses and most electives are academically college-preparatory – meeting UC A-G requirements for academic subjects.
GRADES EARNED freshman year matter and determine coursework for 10^th grade.
Students not qualifying for honors are challenged to earn the grades in their classes needed to meet prerequisites to take Honors/AP courses in grade 10 and beyond. Currently over 40% of juniors in AP courses were not in an honors course as a freshman.
Students who wish to test or retest for Math placement, test for level II or higher in World Language, may do so on March 28th. Pre-registration is required. To audition for level 2 in performing arts classes should send an email to tepe@ndhs.org.
Register for placement testing online at:

www.ndhs.org/classof2030info

The blue Course Selection form shows courses you qualified to take.

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Choosing Classes

HSPT Scores are part of the picture and indicate to us that you may be academically prepared and capable of success in Honors Classes.

Students with information on their course request form indicating qualification for one or more honors courses may choose to take the honors course(s) for which they qualify or opt for the associated college preparatory course.
When making your course choices select courses that allow you to explore interests, manage your time, handle academic stress, and provide for opportunities that may arise along the way. Target any honors and elective classes to your strengths and interests,
We do not recommend taking all honors and advanced courses. Do not take an honors class only because you qualify. Know your limits and what is manageable for you.
So far, we only know your work on paper. You know yourself best! Be thoughtful as you choose all the courses that are right for you.

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Updated 3-2017

Your form shows any Honors courses you qualify to take.

Circle

Your

Choice..

Note Honors Ethnic Studies also requires Honors English.

You may choose to test on March 28 for a different math course or level 2+ for Foreign Language.

Select your 1st choice elective class(es) for the year. Select your alternate elective choices.

Number your first and second choice.

Options are on reverse of form.

Read, Sign, Date, and submit using the method of your choice.

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Elective Classes

Elective courses are intended to support and build on your personal passions and gifts. If you want to be involved in a co-curricular academic or VPA program, choose the associated program classes

Debate, Band/Percussion, Choir, Dance, Dance Guard, Acting, Journalism/Sports Broadcasting, Robotics

If not in a “program” with an associated class as described a class, consider completing a needed graduation requirement (VPA, Computer Studies, 2^nd PE) or choose a College Prep elective you will enjoy (e.g. Speech, Guitar, Music Technology, Podcasting, Improv, Acting)
Summer School classes are available for to meet graduation requirements in PE, Computer Studies, and VPA coursework. VPA Dance will also clear the 2^nd PE course graduation requirement. See course catalog for requirements and options.

Taking these course in summer school will help make room for other advanced elective classes down the line

Honors Ethnic Studies (H), if eligible, is an option for students with strength in the Humanities areas and who want a strong, rigorous academic challenge. The course is designed to prepare students to take AP World or AP European History as a sophomore. Students selecting Honors Ethnic Studies must also take Honors English I.

Students in Honors Ethnic Studies will only have space in their schedule for a 1-semester elective. Students in Band or Debate who are also in Honors Ethnic Studies should contact the Admissions office regarding requirements to arrange to do both.

Student athletes who expect to actively participate in ND athletics for four years are advised to select a VPA class freshman year to make room for taking a Team Sports class (if available) as a sophomore, junior, senior (e.g. football, soccer, basketball, water polo, baseball). These students may also wish to take Visual and Performing Arts and Computer Studies courses in the summer to open more options in their schedules down the line.

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Additional Band Options

IKB Rocks - Meets Tuesdays from 3:15 PM - 5:15 PM (ID 3375)

Color Guard - Meets Wednesdays from 3:15 PM - 5:15 PM followed by full band rehearsals from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. (ID 3525)

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4-Year Plan

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Summer School

Summer Bridge – Mandatory for some students in English and/or Math and Study Skills as indicated on your admissions notification and course request. Register directly through the Admissions Office.

Summer Knights – Academic course for credit. Complete the VPA, Computer Studies or 2^nd PE course requirement. Recommended to allow openings and schedule flexibility during grades 10-12 - especially for students in some co-curricular activity programs such as Debate, Athletics, Band, TV Production, Journalism, etc. Register on the Notre Dame Website 🡪 Summer Knights. Review deadlines for registration carefully. Questions? summerknights@ndhs.org

3-weeks per semester of coursework; 6-weeks for full-year

Summer Session 1: June 11 – July 1

Summer Session 2: July 6 – July 23

Sports Programs – Student athletes involved in various Notre Dame sports. Summer Tryouts and conditioning vary by team and season.

Questions? Contact the Notre Dame Athletic department

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Important Dates

Date	Event – Check calendar and website for changes.
March 21	Deadline for changing requests submitted today. After 3/21, you will have one more chance in May for changes on a space-available basis.
March 28	Placement Testing Scheduled. Math Placement Exam @ 9:00; World Language Placement Exam @ 10:30; Honors English I Exam is all morning.
About May 18 – May 31	Approved courses emailed to parents. Last chance to make changes in course requests. Course requests finalized and additional changes are NOT allowed.
June 11 – July 1	Summer School Semester 1 classes
June 11 – July 23	Summer School for Year-long classes
June 15 - July 23	Freshman Summer Bridge (as required) – Register through Admissions Office
July 6 – July 23	Summer School Semester 2 classes
Week of August 10th	Freshman Orientation, Retreat and Welcome Day - *Exact dates and times TBD
Thanksgiving Break	School closed from Monday, November 23rd - Friday, November 27th
December 14 - 17	Final Exams (Mandatory – Exams are never given early due to family plans) Classes resume for Semester 2 on January 5th (tentative date)

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