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Curriculum

NDA challenges each young woman to develop her gifts and maximize her potential.

AP Courses

  • AP English Language and Composition
  • AP English Literature and Composition                                 
  • AP Capstone: Seminar (embedded with 10th grade Multicultural Literature)
  • AP Capstone: Research
  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Computer Science Principles
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Physics
  • AP World History
  • AP Art History
  • AP U.S. History
  • AP Psychology
  • AP U.S. Government and Politics
  • AP Drawing
  • AP 2-D Art and Design
  • AP 3-D Art and Design
  • AP Spanish Language
  • AP Spanish Literature
  • AP French Language 

Honors Courses

  • Honors Introduction to Composition and Literature
  • Honors Geometry
  • Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry
  • Honors Pre-Calculus/Statistics
  • Honors Chemistry
  • Honors Spanish 3
  • Honors Spanish 4
  • Honors French 3

VPAs, Electives & Co-curriculars

  • Drawing
  • Introduction to Visual Arts
  • Photography 
  • Global Art Studies
  • Painting
  • 2-D Design
  • Film Studies
  • Yearbook Design & Production
  • Intermediate Art & Design
  • Drama 1, Drama 2, Drama 3, and Drama 4
  • Dance (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced)
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal and Civil Law
  • Comparative Government
  • Mock Trial
  • Speech and Debate
  • Model United Nations
  • Academic Decathlon
  • DTASC Drama Festival Team
  • Robotics Team
  • Rocketry Team
  • E-Games
  • Conservatory

Explore our Courses

NDA’s one-of-a-kind 8 period schedule

Designed for young women, crafted for academic success, and structured for a vibrant student life!

High school is more than just academics. The best high school experiences combine robust learning, leadership, discovering new passions, and, of course, downtime with friends. High school is a unique chapter in a young woman’s life, not just a prelude to college.  

NDA has designed a schedule that helps our students make the most of these important years. This schedule emerged from a collaborative effort by NDA educators, who carefully researched and crafted it to best serve our students’ needs.

Deep Dive into Academics

Our 70-minute rotating blocks enable in-depth discussions, collaborative problem-solving, immersive labs, dynamic projects, and engaging debates, making subjects resonate.

Community Bonding Moments  

Twice weekly, our community sessions unite the school to address current real-world topics relevant to today’s students, foster social-emotional growth, and cultivate a supportive, interconnected community.

Breathing Room and More  

Given the bustling lives of young girls, our schedule provides generous breaks between classes. These pauses aren’t just for rest; they’re opportunities to connect, refuel, and interact with teachers.

Self-Directed Learning 

In our 8-period schedule, every student has a dedicated self-directed learning period, overseen by Mr. Klier.  With expertise in writing and library sciences, he’s at hand to assist with essays, research, and independent study. Students can also work together on projects, form study groups, or use the time to work on homework.

Exploring Interests and Discovering Passions 

Our unique 8-period day embeds electives in the regular schedule. Beyond specialized VPA courses, NDA students explore arts and diverse subjects like dance, law, or writing, ensuring holistic pre-college growth.

Support

Teachers are accessible in bi-weekly office hours. Campus-wide peer support is encouraged, with collaboration spaces both indoors and out. Additionally, students can enroll in extra courses, from languages to special interests, with support from the Student Learning Commons Coordinator to personalize their academic journey.