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  • Social Studies

    The Notre Dame Social Studies Department is committed to helping students develop an awareness and understanding of global and national history, politics, and economics. Knowledge of the Social Studies fosters an appreciation for varied points of historical, economic, political, social, and religious points of view, as well as a commitment to active citizenship.

    Notre Dame School is fortunate to be one one of eleven Gilder Lehrman Institute network schools nationwide. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History works to foster a knowledge and love of American history by supporting outstanding education of U.S. history and government. Notre Dame's affiliation with GLI affords students opportunities to attend lectures, visit local historical sites, and participate in special events for young historians throughout the New York area. Notre Dame also hosts a free Saturday Academy in U.S. history in the fall and spring semesters.

    Global History and Geography 9 & 10 - In an interconnected world community, it becomes imperative to learn about the world through the lens of different global perspectives. To that end, Notre Dame School offers a comprehensive global history course sequence. In grade 9, students learn about world history and geography from the time of ancient civilizations through the French Revolutions. In grade 10, students learn about modern world history through present day. In both years, students complete challenging research projects that involve use of primary sources, historical novels, and/or representative works of art. This two-year sequence prepares students to take the New York State Regents Exam in Global History and Geography.

    American Studies 9 & 10 - Notre Dame's affiliation with the Gilder Lehrman Institute allows the school to offer students study in U.S. history and society in their first and second years of high school. In grade 9, students discover the social history of the United States from the era of European discovery and colonization through the great social reform era of the mid-19th century. In grade 10, students investigate selected topics from the American Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Students utilize readings from primary and secondary sources, educational DVDs and feature films, music, dance, the visual arts, and trips to area museums and historic sites to make American history "come alive." In place of midterms and exams, for American Studies students complete creative projects or research papers. Students often participate in the "National History Day" competition.

    United States History 11 - All Notre Dame students take U.S. history in their third year and prepare for the New York State Regents Exam. Students may elect to take Advanced Placement U.S. History, based on their academic performance in the social studies in their first two years and subject to Department approval. All students become conversant with the development of the American nation and culture, with an emphasis on politics, the U.S. Constitution, and social history. Students examine primary documents, hone their writing skills, defend complex historical positions, and often participate in the national Civil War essay competition sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute and the Civil War Roundtable of New York.

    Economics 12 - In this one-semester course, students examine a number of vital topics in national and international economics. As budding economists, students work to study, analyze, and predict how and why individuals, institutions, and societies make the choices they do. Students become comfortable with basic micro and macroeconomic principles, including: opportunity cost and scarcity, supply and demand, globalization, and fiscal and monetary policy. Students also engage in a unit on personal finance, becoming comfortable with personal budgeting, balancing a checkbook, buying and selling stocks and other investments, and planning for retirement. Economics certainly concerns students, particularly students preparing to participate fully in U.S. society as voters and adult consumers.

    Government 12 - In this one semester course, students question concepts of liberty, power, freedom, and authority. They examine how our Constitution addresses these hotly contested concepts. Students explore their own political ideology, and learn how ideology, partisanship, and citizen action (and inaction) influence the policy making process. With Department approval, students may opt to take Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics. An understanding of current local, national, and global events is a critical component of the course. Students also benefit from a class trip to Washington, DC, partially subsidized through the support of the Gilder Lehrman Institute. Notre Dame students graduate ready to enter American society as active, educated citizens, committed to a life of active citizenship and involvement in your local, national, and global political communities.

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  • Science

    The Science Department strives to engage students in the activities of scientific exploration, while challenging them to consider careers in science related fields. While following the curriculum established by the New York State Education Department, Notre Dame's state-of-the-art laboratory facilities offer our students hands on opportunities reaching beyond those that are required.

    The Science Department offers courses in the Living Environment for 9th graders, Chemistry for 10th graders, Physics for 11th graders, Women's Health and Well Being for 9th graders and electives in Biomedical Studies and Advanced Chemistry in the 12th grade.

    Notre Dame's newly equipped physical science and biological science laboratories offer students many opportunities for the hands on experience demanded in science education. The science faculty is committed to a vision of science education that will make science literacy a reality for all our students and emphasize an approach that is discovery based.

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  • Religious Studies

    Notre Dame is a Catholic school and as such strives to foster a mature understanding of who God is, who we are in relation to God, and then ask what is a proper response to one another who are all children of God.

    Since Notre Dame offers a strong academic curriculum in secular subjects, it strives to do the same in Religious Studies. We aim to graduate young women who are informed and knowledgeable regarding the principles of Catholic beliefs yet have understanding of and respect for the beliefs of others.

    Ninth graders study the elements of Catholic Christianity as well as Prayer and Sacraments. Tenth graders focus on the New Testament: the Gospels, and the First Century Church as seen in Acts of the Apostles and the letters of Paul. Juniors master techniques for Making Moral Decisions, and explore the relation between Faith and Justice. Seniors learn the basic elements of three world religions: Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism; they also examine how to develop a Culture of Peace in our society.

    Notre Dame students are required to pass each course in Religious Studies. Failure to do so requires taking a make-up course.

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  • Physical Education

    The Physical Education Department offers a 9th & 10th grade curriculum which allows the students to be participants in programs leading to a healthy lifestyle through sports and exercise. Group and individual activities are included in the program. Students will receive physical fitness training plus instruction in a wide range of activities, including flag football, volleyball, basketball, aerobics, floor hockey, dance, softball, and soccer. Juniors and Seniors are guided to develop a lifestyle that includes overall development of a healthy attitude towards involvement in exercise and lifetime sports. Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

    • 1. Demonstrate an improved level of basic physical fitness.
    • 2. Assess personal fitness and design a personal fitness program that relates to total wellness.
    • 3. Acquire basic sport skills in flag football, volleyball and basketball, soccer, softball and dance.
    • 4. Learn social skills of cooperation, honesty, self-control and responsibility.
    • 5. Familiarize themselves with safety rules in various exercises and activities.
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  • Mathematics

    The Notre Dame School Mathematics Curriculum provides students with a foundation in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus. Members of the Math Department aim to teach students to use critical thinking, reasoning, and problem solving effectively. Real world applications are integrated throughout the curriculum, whereby students develop the skills required to be critical thinkers and tomorrow's leaders.

    Integrated Algebra is the first mathematics course at Notre Dame. The integrated algebra course set forth here is not the algebra of 30 years ago; the focal point of this course is the algebra content strand. Algebra provides tools and ways of thinking that are necessary for solving problems in a wide variety of disciplines, such as science, business, social sciences, fine arts, and technology. This course will assist students in developing skills and processes to be applied using a variety of techniques to successfully solve problems in a variety of settings. Students will sit for a NYS Regents Examination at the end of this course.

    Geometry is the second course in mathematics for high school students. Within this course students act as true mathematicians and have the opportunity to make conjectures about geometric situations and prove in a variety of ways -- both formal and informal -- that their conclusion follows logically from their hypothesis. This course is meant to employ an integrated approach to the study of geometric relationships. Integrating synthetic, transformational, and coordinate approaches to geometry, students will justify geometric relationships and properties of geometric figures. Geometry is meant to lead students to an understanding that reasoning and proof are fundamental aspects of mathematics and something that sets it apart from the other sciences. Students will sit for a NYS Regents Examination at the end of this course.

    Algebra 2 and Trigonometry is the capstone course of the three units of credit required for a Regents diploma. This course is a continuation and extension of the two courses that preceded it. While developing the algebraic techniques that will be required of those students that continue their study of mathematics, this course is also intended to continue developing alternative solution strategies and algorithms. Within this course, the number system will be extended to include imaginary and complex numbers. Students will sit for a NYS Regents Examination at the end of this course.

    College Algebra is a college level mathematics course; topics covered include the study of functions, graphs, models, linear and quadratic functions, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, modeling with linear systems, sequences, and probability. Also covered are several topics outside of the traditional curriculum, such as derivatives, and some of the "historical" aspects and developments of mathematics. Overall this integrated course incorporates the process of logical thinking and reasoning to both mathematical and non-mathematical situations.

    Honors Calculus is designed for students who have shown an aptitude and ability to handle algebraic, geometric, and trigonometric concepts. The course begins with an extensive review of algebra referenced topics covered in previous courses to prepare the student for calculus. Topics covered include linear functions, nonlinear functions, differentiation, calculating the derivative, graphs and the derivative, applications of the derivative, and integration if time allows. Overall, this is an integrated course which will show students how to apply the process of logical thinking and reasoning to both mathematical and non-mathematical situations.

    AP Calculus AB is designed to be taught over a full high school academic year. It is possible to spend some time on elementary functions and still cover the Calculus AB curriculum within a year. This course is designed for students who have shown an aptitude and ability to handle algebraic, geometric, and trigonometric concepts. The course begins with a review of algebra referenced topics, covered in previous courses, to prepare the student for calculus. Subsequently, topics covered include evaluating limits (graphically and algebraically), continuity, differentiation, applications of the derivative, graphs of the derivative, integration, applications of integration, and various other subsets within these topics. If students are to be adequately prepared for the Calculus AB examination, most of the year must be devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. Differentiation and integration is explored with a variety of functions. Overall, this is an integrated course which shows students how to approach all concepts, problems, results, and applications numerically, graphically, analytically, and verbally. Students are required to take the AP Calculus AB Examination in May.

    P/SAT preparation is incorporated into each year7's program of study. In line with Notre Dame's Middle States Accreditation objectives, the Math Department provides PSAT preparation for all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors taking the PSAT exam in October. Preparatory activities continue throughout the year. By the time students sit for the SAT in the spring of their junior year of high school, they will have received nearly three academic years worth of study and exposure to the exam. Additionally, our partnership with Fordham University enables students to track their performance progress over time, as well as develop both study and test-taking strategies that will bolster their performance on these exams. SAT preparation is incorporated into the senior curriculum as well, and is done in the week leading up to a College Board scheduled exam.

    A few words from the Math Department:

    Keeping up with the work is very important. We, teachers and parents, are here for help and support, but success lies mainly in the hands of the student. This may seem like an awesome responsibility, but the simple truth is: we cannot do the work for them. So, to realize success, each student is urged to: participate actively in class, question for clarification, make up work missed due to an absence, take advantage of the practice that doing homework assignments affords, and lastly keep an open mind and stay positive when work becomes especially challenging.

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  • Foreign Language

    Following the Regents Action Plan, the goals of the Foreign Language Department are to achieve functional communication in the context of the target language culture, to develop greater understanding and appreciation of cultures in other countries as well as their own country and community and to master communication and computation skills through the use of critical thinking and reasoning skills. Language proficiency is acquired through the natural approach, which is an integrated program, focusing on vocabulary development, conversation practice and the mastery of basic structures.

    French & Spanish students are required to take 3 years of French or Spanish. Honors French and Spanish are offered in Senior year as an elective. These honors courses are designed to be a bridge to the intermediate language study at the university level. French 4 and Spanish 4 require that the student have a reasonable level of proficiency, a fair degree of interest in the subject and the ability to work independently. These courses are based on classroom discussion and written assignments of poetry, drama, short stories, and novels and are intended to increase proficiency in conversation and written expression.

    Latin students at Notre Dame may take up to three years of Latin in the 10th, 11th and 12th grade. The primary objectives of both courses are for students 1) to learn comprehension of the Latin language, primarily through reading, 2) to learn through these readings an understanding of Roman culture, particularly of the first century CE and 3) to recognize through vocabulary study, the Latin roots of English and the Romance languages and expand their vocabularies. Latin 3 is an elective in their Senior year as well as an honors course. Latin 3 students are expected to have a fair degree of interest in the subject. For the first semester, Latin 3 essentially continues the work of Latin 2. Additional, more complex grammar is taught. Grammar instruction continues in second semester and Latin authors (Petronius, Ovid, Martial, Catallus) are introduced.

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  • English

    Notre Dame School requires four years of study in literature and composition. Ninth graders take "Traditions in Literature," a course that hones reading and writing skills as students study a variety of genres: short stories, novels, plays, poetry, and essays. Students are encouraged to read widely and often, to become "booklovers" through periodic opportunities to read books of their own choosing and to borrow books from the class and school library. Ninth graders are taught to write the critical literary essay, a touchstone for all their years of English at Notre Dame.

    Sophomores study British Literature in order to develop an understanding of and an appreciation for English classics, along with some modern and contemporary works. Highlights include The Canterbury Tales, Beowulf, Frankenstein, A Tale of Two Cities, Macbeth, and Pride and Prejudice. Poetry studies include ballads, Carpe Diem, metaphysical, Romantic, and modern verses. Sophomores memorize Shakespeare monologues as part of The English Speaking Union's Shakespeare Contest.

    Juniors continue to develop their appreciation for classic and contemporary literature during their study of American Literature. The reading list includes The Scarlet Letter, Huckleberry Finn, The Awakening, The Great Gatsby, A Steet Car Named Desire, and Their Eyes Were Watching God.. They are also prepared to take the PSAT and the Comprehensive English Regents. Throughout the first half of the year, they are taught MLA and Turabian styles of documentation, conduct independent research using library and online resources, and they write a turabian footnoted 7-0 page paper, which is co-taught with the History department. Also, during Writing Workshop classes students compile a portfolio of their writings throughout the year, which consists of poetry, short stories, and essays. All students learn the benefits of drafting their work, including the revising, editing and reflecting processes, so that they become a community of inspired and confident writers.

    Advanced Placement Language and Composition is offered to juniors who have advanced reading and writing skills. It is a college-level course that focuses on the rhetoric of fictional and non-fictional texts. Such texts include In Cold Blood, The Things The Carried, The Woman Warrior, and Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Students will learn more advanced writing techniques and compile aportfolio of various writing pieces, incuding expository, analytical, and argumentative works. Independent research, essay writing, reading comprehensionpracticefor the AAp Examin May, and the study of images as texts will be reinforced throughout the year

    Seniors may apply to take Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, which is a college-level course of in-depth, critical reading and analytical writing. Seniors may choose instead a year-long study of the Bard and his works in the course, Senior Shakespeare. Both courses feature a revolving list of classic and contemporary masterpieces, including Shakespeare's Hamlet. Seniors spend some portion of their first semester class writing and work shopping their college application essays. All seniors also write literary research papers. Finally, all seniors benefit from Notre Dame's affiliation with The Pearl Theatre and its Classics in the Classroom program. Seniors attend all four Peal plays at no cost. Visiting artists from The Pearl conduct pre- and post-performance workshops in senior classes.

    All English classes at Notre Dame help students develop their writing skills and become more critical readers. In addition PSAT and SAT Critical Reading and Writing preparation is a regular part of the English curriculum. Oral presentations and creative writing opportunities are also important aspects of all English classes at Notre Dame.

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  • Computer Studies

    Computer courses are held in the school Technology Center, consisting of 41 workstations, connected over a 100Mbps Ethernet network. The Applications course covers; understanding of the hardware and software relations and functionality, basic computer operation, including the use of word processing (M, presentation, spreadsheet application software and Web-designing.

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  • The Arts

    Notre Dame offers four units of study in Art and Art History. Ninth graders take “Introduction to Art”, a course that introduces the subject of art through the creation of original works of art, class critiques and discussions and by studying examples from the artistic traditions of a variety of cultures throughout history.

    Sophomores are offered the elective course “American Art”, a study of the history of art in America from Prehistory to present day through the analysis of artworks from early American civilizations to current trends in art here in New York City.

    Juniors are offered the elective course “Advanced Placement Art History”, a college level art history course devoted to developing an understanding of the history of art from Prehistory to present day in cultures from around the world. This course provides students with the opportunity to examine artworks, artists, artistic movements and styles, etc. from the European tradition and from a variety of artistic traditions beyond the European tradition.

    Seniors are offered the elective course “Studio Art”, an advanced level art course designed to help students develop a well rounded portfolio of artworks. This course provides instruction in drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking and new media . This course also encourages students to pursue their own artistic endeavors and to develop an original body of work.

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