Notre Dame High School is a not-for-profit corporation which is sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Ipswich and Boston Provinces.  The Ipswich and Boston Provinces are a division of the international community of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur were founded in France in 1804 by Julie Billiart and Françoise Blin de Bourdon.  Born in the period of extreme social, political, economic and religious upheaval of the French Revolution, the congregation has grown to fulfill its founding vision: the development of a worldwide community of women who, through simple and prayerful lives, commit themselves to educating and serving others, especially those who are poor and marginalized.

In the 19th century, Sisters set out for North America and in 1849, three sisters came to Boston.  Within days they were teaching at St. Mary’s in the North End, the only Catholic parish school in Boston.  From Boston, the Sisters headed north, south, and west, settling at first in large mill cities, then later in less settled but equally needy places.  In 1859 the sisters opened St. Mary High School in Lawrence.  St. Mary High School closed in 1995 and in 2004 Notre Dame High School opened in the same building that was once St. Mary High School.
(Excerpts from a history by Esther MacCarthy, SNDdeN)

As Sisters of Notre Dame, “we value the focus on education in our Congregational tradition and give special attention to the educational dimension of our mission, which we carry out through a diversity of ministries among people at all levels of society. (Constitutions, Article 18)

“Continuing a strong educational tradition, we take our stand with poor people, especially women and children, in the most abandoned places.”  (Mission Statement of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur)

One of the ways the Sisters carry out this mission is through sponsored ministries. 

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur of Ipswich and Boston understand sponsorship as an ongoing relationship by which they influence an institution in a way that furthers the mission of the Church through the charism of St. Julie Billiart.  Sponsorship implies a formalized relationship with works that are initiated and influenced by the Sisters.  Through this relationship, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur support the institution, influence it and hold it accountable.  The mission statement and philosophy of the institution must be consonant with the spirit and mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.  (Definition July 28, 1999)

In order to ensure that the sponsored ministries maintain fidelity to the SND mission and to promote the lived experience of the charism of St. Julie Billiart, the Sisters have established the Guidelines of Sponsorship for Mission  Booklet.  The Guidelines are based on a commitment to the five Notre Dame Mission Tenets listed below. 

Tenet # 1 Notre Dame ministries proclaim the Goodness of God in faith and action.

Tenet # 2 Notre Dame ministries cultivate respect for the dignity of every person and are aware of and respond to the needs of the materially poor.

Tenet # 3 Notre Dame ministries educate for life where all have the opportunity to grow into their God-given potential.

Tenet # 4 Notre Dame ministries create communities which are part of the Catholic Church and global communities.

Tenet # 5 Notre Dame ministries cultivate global perspectives, characterized by interdependence and connectedness to all.