Notre Dame Academy

Notre Dame Academy is a Catholic all-girl high school dedicated to empowering young women to rise to their purpose and develop their unique skills. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1949, the school is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. With a president/principal model and an established board of trustees and a board of members, the school offers a college-preparatory education with rigorous academic programs and personalized college counseling. Extracurricular offerings include a robust athletics department​​, a performing arts department, campus ministry, rocketry, mock trial and many more. 

Tell us about your educational model.

Notre Dame Academy provides a college-preparatory education that equips young women with the knowledge, skills and confidence to excel in higher education and beyond. We set high academic standards and nurture critical thinking, problem-solving and a thirst for knowledge. We empower each young woman to embrace their academic potential and become accomplished, well-rounded leaders prepared to thrive in the collegiate world and make a positive impact in society. Our dedicated faculty creates a dynamic learning environment that goes beyond the classroom, combining experiential learning, innovative teaching and real-world experiences.

How does your school incorporate innovative teaching methods?

We are reshaping the traditional approach to education through our signature program: Exploratory Approach. Our philosophy is to expose our students to a broad variety of topics and learning experiences to help them explore their interests before deciding on their academic emphasis. We expose students to diverse fields and experiences through our Symposium Series, inviting guest speakers from various fields to inspire and educate. We encourage exploration through classes like the AP Seminar and Research. Additionally, our students gain valuable real-world insights through enriching off-campus experiences, such as field research trips through our signature LA is our Campus initiative.

How does Notre Dame Academy foster an entrepreneurial mindset in students?

We celebrate the uniqueness of every student and focus on their individual paths. Partnering with ARK Invest, the Duddy Innovation Center for Excellence at Notre Dame Academy offers a challenging educational experience, Disruptive Innovation, 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. Additionally, our enrollment in STEM programs is growing exponentially through record-breaking participation in AP computer science and AP bio and in our award-winning robotics team and our nationally ranked rocketry team, which will compete in the NASA Student Launch Initiative in April.

Highlight some of your notable achievements.

This year Notre Dame Academy was recognized by the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll for reaching the highest level of distinction: platinum. Even more striking, Notre Dame Academy was one of only nine schools in the Los Angeles Archdiocese and the only Catholic school in West Los Angeles to receive both the platinum level and the AP Access Award, which honors schools that demonstrate a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework. Only 6% of all eligible schools in the United States and Canada were awarded the platinum level on the AP School Honor Roll this year, and only a fraction of those also earned the AP Access Award.

Notre Dame Academy graduates of the class of 2023 achieved 100% four-year college acceptances and $17 million in merit scholarships across all accepted schools. Our grads selected majors in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields such as architecture, artificial intelligence, astrophysics and aerospace engineering, cybersecurity and neuroscience at prestigious universities.

Tell us about your athletics program.

We offer a dynamic athletics program that not only cultivates athletic skills and strives for championship-level performance but also fosters teamwork and leadership skills. Through competitive sports and team-building opportunities, we empower young women to excel both on and off the field, preparing them for successful futures in college and beyond. Our multiple award-winning teams—including basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, indoor volleyball, soccer, softball, swim, tennis, and track and field—are available to our competitive athletes. Additionally, with elite coaches students learn about dedication and sportsmanship and develop leadership skills.

Does your campus have upcoming expansions?

Our knowledge and expertise with girls’ education will proudly expand with the creation of an all-girls middle school opening this fall. This extension will be dedicated to transforming a new group of young women into happy, healthy and confident leaders by focusing on how girls learn best, connectedness, belonging and mentorship.