Curriculum

Love. Compassion. Peace. Joy. Grace. In the midst of a busy day — carpool, traffic, practice, rehearsal, homework, life with family and friends — slow down and breathe in the peace and love of God. Listen to His Word in Scripture. Reflect deeply on life and true happiness. Discuss the important questions of faith with classmates. Pray. Learn. Grow more fully into the woman God has dreamed you into being.

“Be still and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Partnering with ARK Invest, the Duddy Innovation Center for Excellence (DICE) offers a challenging educational experience for young women eager to stretch their learning beyond the boundaries of traditional acquisition of knowledge while influencing a new way of thinking and learning throughout the campus.

Heighten your understanding of self, others, and the global community in which we live through the study of literature and language. Develop critical thinking and writing skills through the exploration of genres and styles from a variety of historical periods and cultures.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

• Introduction to Composition and Literature
• Honors Introduction to Composition and Literature
• Communications
• Multi-Cultural Literature and Composition
• Honors Multi-Cultural Literature and Composition
• American Literature and Composition
• Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
• British Literature and Composition
• Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition
• Journalism

Computers are an ever-present part of our daily lives, but most of us take them for granted.  Delve beneath the surface to understand how and why they perform essential tasks.  Strengthen critical thinking skills while preparing for careers of tomorrow. 

Love solving logic puzzles? Want the freedom to dive into a computational question that you pose and use your own creativity and choice in programming language to formulate a solution?  Ready to grapple with the impacts computing has on society?  Then this is the class for you!

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

• AP Computer Science Principles

Math is practical; math is beautiful. These two concepts reverberate throughout the math curriculum. Want to hone your logical thinking and problem solving skills? Math will do it. Want to gain the tools to succeed at any technical career, from business to engineering to high tech? Math is the ticket to success.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

• Algebra 1
• Geometry
• Honors Geometry
• Algebra 2
• Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry
• Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry
• Honors Pre-Calculus
• Statistics
• Calculus
• Advanced Placement Calculus AB 
• Advanced Placement Calculus BC

Notre Dame Academy offers a 5-week, UC/CSU approved, summer Honors Geometry class.

Gain an understanding of the key concepts and basic principles of science, recognize both the diversity and unity of the physical and natural worlds, cultivate problem solving and critical thinking skills, and view science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as interdependent enterprises.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Honors Chemistry
• Biology
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Astronomy
• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Physics

Dance, music, and theatre have existed throughout the ages in all cultures.  The performing arts convey knowledge not accessible through the study of other subjects.  Learning through dance, choir, or drama classes offers students the opportunity to set goals, evaluate, revise, problem-solve, think creatively, and apply self-discipline. Learn to express yourself while collaborating with classmates to create meaningful performances as you develop your create meaningful performances as you develop your craft.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Choir

• Concert Choir 1, 2, 3, and 4
• Liturgical Choir

Dance

• Introduction to Dance
• Intermediate Dance 1
• Intermediate Dance 2
• Advanced Dance
• Advanced Dance Performance

Drama

• Drama 1
• Drama 2
• Drama 3
• Drama 4
• Play Production

A solid understanding of history informs a balanced perspective on current events both close to home and worldwide. Beginning in sophomore year, construct a timeline of milestones as you discover the genesis of nations, peoples, and cultures.

 ACADEMIC PROGRAM

• Modern World History
• Advanced Placement World History
• Advanced Placement European History
• United States History
• Advanced Placement United States History
• United States Government and Economics
• Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics
• Introduction to Psychology
• Advanced Placement Psychology
• Mock Trial

Art is thought made visible. Not only do images surround and shape our lives, but everything fabricated is designed by an artist, architect, or designer. The study of Visual Arts and Art History allows the individual agency over her world.

Communicate your ideas using the knowledge of visual language, and the elements and principles of design. Innovate while developing specific skill sets in each class. Analyze the historical and cultural context of art to make sense of your world. Visit museums, explore philosophy and theory, and write essays (one per semester) that expand your knowledge of our global landscape. Generate and present a portfolio each quarter and develop an understanding of art critics and aesthetic views through critiques.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

• Introduction to Visual Arts
• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Intermediate Art and Design
• Film Studies
• Advanced Placement Art History
• Advanced Placement Drawing
• Advanced Placement 2-D Art and Design
• Advanced Placement 3-D Art and Design

Strong language skills and cultural appreciation are essential for both academic and professional success in our increasingly interconnected world.  Achieving proficiency in a second language facilitates a larger world view. 

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

• Spanish 1
• Spanish 2
• Spanish 3
• Honors Spanish 3
• Spanish 4
• Advanced Placement Spanish Language
• French 1
• French 2
• French 3
• Honors French 3
• French 4
• Advanced Placement French Language