Message from the HS Principal
Welcome to Notre Dame Academy-the premier high school for young women in New York City. I am delighted to share with you all that makes NDA so special. Especially in these extraordinary times in which young women are at the forefront of industry and community, it is so important that you have the confidence and peace of mind knowing that your daughters are in a safe, intellectually inspiring, collaborative environment where learning is rigorous, consistent everyday. Through the creativity and knowledge of our expert faculty, our innovative use of technology and our historic and expansive 13-acre campus, here at Notre Dame that is precisely what is happening.
Notre Dame Academy builds its curriculum and all student activities on best practices for girls. Research has shown that educating girls in a single-sex environment significantly impacts a woman’s academic and financial success and improves her positive self-concept. We offer a myriad of Advanced Placement, college-level and challenging elective courses in STEM, the Humanities and the Arts that appeal to the student who is interested in exploring those areas of interest that will prepare her for college and meaningful post-secondary and professional careers.
In addition, we are committed to offering our students experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom that will inform their career interests including partnerships with Staten Island University Hospital in applied health science careers, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Academy stewarded by our expert faculty who have earned Ph.D. and Masters degrees in their respective fields. We graduate global citizens prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the most rigorous colleges and universities and the 21st-century global workplace. New technologies have broadened our students’ learning environments affording them the opportunity to learn with and from students and teachers not only throughout the country, but literally around the world.
Recent graduates of Notre Dame Academy have been accepted to Yale University, the United States Military Academy at West Point, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, University of Notre Dame, Stevens Institute of Technology, Boston College, Villanova, and Georgetown, just to name a few. Our talented alumnae are currently enrolled in professional degree programs or hold degrees from Princeton, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, and more.
As we look to celebrate the 120th year of educating the young women of New York City, we are proud to affirm our mission has not changed- to provide a place where young women will prepare to become leaders in society. Inspired by the life of the Founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, a Notre Dame student is empowered to become engaged in her community through her commitment to compassionate service and her ambition to become a leader in her chosen professional field. At Notre Dame, there is a strong message that our mission and these ideals are not mutually exclusive, but their integration is critical to real transformational change in society.
Beyond its innovative educational courses and programs, NDA has a strong reputation for its commitment to scholar-athletes. We boast the most female Staten Island Varsity Club award winners of any school on Staten Island, public or private, having celebrated 11 recipients. In the past two years, NDA’s athletic teams earned 10 Staten Island championships, 4 New York City Championships, and 1 New York State title. Notre Dame provides its students with opportunities to nurture and showcase their many and diverse talents. It is in celebrating our rich diversity through our co-curricular experiences that we not only inform ourselves, but inform our community of the value of each unique individual. In addition, we honored two New York State Gold Medal Award winners for Literature and Photography and our award-winning Performing Arts program has earned Minty Awards for best Staten Island High School musical production.
As a proud Notre Dame alumna from the Class of 1990, I have served the last twenty years in Catholic education embodying the spirit of Marguerite Bourgeoys and her mission to educate young women. My evolution into a strong woman of leadership and service is a direct result of my NDA education. It is my honor to come to work every day where I am inspired by the intellect and enthusiasm of our students, teachers, and staff.
I want you to experience that feeling of pride watching your daughter lace up her Sperry’s, laptop in hand heading out each morning to unmask new discoveries and forge new paths. Please feel free to make an appointment to visit our campus or contact me at [email protected] I invite you to become part of GatorNation and its tradition of exceptional women. It will be the best decision you will ever make. It was for me!
Jann Amato '90
Principal