Notre Dame High School (NDHS) School Profile 2010-2011

Address: 207 Hampshire Street, Lawrence, MA 01841

Telephone: (978) 689-8222

School Code: 221122

Website: www.ndhslaw.org

President: Sr. Mary Murphy, SNDdeN, PhD

Principal: Dr. Tom Ryan, EdD

College Counselor: Jon Krol

The School

Notre Dame High School (NDHS), located in the urban community of Lawrence, MA provides students with a focused and goal-oriented learning environment with experience in a hands-on job training program. In addition to acquiring fundamental work skills, NDHS students complete high school and are well-prepared to pursue a college education. Each and every NDHS graduate has also received at least one acceptance to a four-year college. NDHS is a proven success story, one that provides many opportunities for our students to achieve their dreams.

Quality and Affordable Education

Notre Dame High School offers these unique benefits:

• Extended day and extended year education
• 1-to-17 teacher student ratio
• 1-on-1 math and reading instruction and tutoring offered
• Affordable tuition for all families
• 92% federally funded free and/or reduced lunch program
• Chaperoned trips for students to visit nearby colleges

NDHS is part of the Cristo Rey Network, a national network of high schools that
provide quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to urban young people who
live in communities with limited educational options. The majority of our students
is of Latino descent, and the median family income is $28,200 (average family
size is four). Cristo Rey schools utilize a longer school day and year, academic
assistance, and counseling to prepare students with a broad range of academic
abilities for college. All students at Cristo Rey Network schools participate in a work
study program through which they finance a portion of their education, gain real
world job experience, and grow in self-confidence. For more information on this
network of schools, please visit www.cristoreynetwork.org.

Corporate Work Study Program

NDHS is the only nonprofit organization providing at-risk youth in the Lawrence area with a college preparatory education program that is combined with hands-on work experience. The Corporate Work Study Program is designed so that the school day and year are extended to compensate for the time students spend at work. Academically, students pursue a typical high school college preparatory curriculum with core subjects in mathematics, English, social studies, religion, computers and technology, biology, Spanish, chemistry, and physics. The academic program is continually assessed to ensure that students are challenged and well prepared for the demands of higher education. Each year, students have internships at a variety of businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the Merrimack Valley, Route 128/93 North Corridor, and Southern New Hampshire. The employment partners provide services that range from legal, banking, health care, food and environmental industries to education and housing opportunities. Teams of students share a job on a rotating basis, allowing employers to receive needed services such as data entry, internet research, customer service, IT support, front desk reception, and other office work. NDHS also provides transportation to and from the job site to ensure that the students arrive on time and there is consistent attendance at the job placements. As a result of working in a business environment, where student employees are often mentored by their employer/co-worker, students acquire overall job experience, marketable skills and begin to build a professional resume. They also develop a network of business contacts, have exposure to a variety of career opportunities, and develop a strong work ethic.

During the 2010-2011 academic year, NDHS students are placed in jobs at corporate organizations that included Raytheon, MITRE, Lahey Clinic, Nuance, ArQule and Cabot. Students were also placed at local area non-profits including Esperanza Academy, Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence Senior Center, and Nevins Nursing Center.

College Readiness

NDHS begins meeting with students in their freshman year to discuss and plan for
their college experience. In addition to group class-wide meetings, we also facilitate
periodic small group workshops aimed at covering various topics related to the
college planning process. In addition, we hold several meetings for parents beginning
with a brief introductory meeting for freshmen and their families to help understand
the importance of college for their child. Specific College Readiness activities for
NDHS students in grades 9-12 include the following:

• Students attend college fairs and workshops with college representatives on-site at NDHS;
• Students take day trips with NDHS staff chaperones to visit college campuses;
• Students’ families attend meetings (always translated into Spanish) to learn about college opportunities and costs;
• Students and families attend workshops which include college representative and guest speakers at local colleges;
  Students take the PSAT, ACT/SAT test in preparation for college entrance exams;
• NDHS staff assists students in identifying college scholarships, grants, and financial aid resources;
• NDHS staff assists students in preparing college application(s), financial aid, and scholarship forms; and
• Financial aid nights are held in the winter with area financial aid experts to assist families with completing their FAFSA’s.

Accreditation    

NDHS has been approved for candidacy by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Full accreditation is anticipated in late 2011.

NDHS employs 17 teachers – 10 full-time teaching faculty and 7 part-time teaching
faculty. 33% of our teachers possess an advanced degree. All are licensed by the
Massachusetts Department of Education. 21% of NDHS’ teaching faculty is Hispanic
and bilingual.

NDHS Graduates

• Possess solid academic preparation to succeed in college
• Possess a global perspective
• Embrace the goodness of God
• Participate in community service
• Retain an educational orientation to life

Graduation Requirements (Class of 2014 +)

All Notre Dame High School students must enroll in 7 units per year for four years.
Full year courses earn 1.0 credit and half year courses earn 0.5 credit. Students
must have 28 credits to graduate.

(The religion credits for grade 9 listed above is also a world history/world religion course.)

Grading

The grading scale is as follows:

AP and Honors Offerings Senior Year

• AP Spanish Literature
• AP Calculus
• Honors Physics
• Honors English

Junior Year

• AP Spanish Language
• Honors Chemistry
• Honors Pre-Calculus

College Admission Test Scores: SATs for Class of 2010

Percent of students taking test: 100%

• Verbal: Middle 50% of students: 410-490
• Math: Middle 50% of students: 380-510
• Writing: Middle 50% of students: 430-500

College Matriculation Class of 2010

• 100% of students accepted to four-year colleges
• 74% of students attending four-year colleges
• 26% of students attending two-year colleges

Calendar

The school year is comprised of two semesters, each lasting 18 weeks. The school
day, beginning at 8:00 A.M. and ending at 3:30 P.M., has seven 54 minute periods
which meet four times a week.

Student Body

Notre Dame High School currently has 257 students enrolled:

• Seniors - Class of 2011: 47 students
• Juniors - Class of 2012: 55 students
• Sophomores - Class of 2013: 70 students
• Freshmen - Class of 2014: 85 students

Race/Ethnicity

90% Hispanic/Latino

• 1% African-American
• 2% Caucasian
• 7% Other

Male/Female Ratio

• 33% Male
• 67% Female

Student/Family Data

• Average family income is $35,000
• Median family income is $28,200
• Average family size is four
• 92% of students are eligible for free or reduced breakfast and lunch
• 86% of students will be the first generation to attend college in their families

Class Rank

Notre Dame High School does not rank students. By policy, Notre Dame High School does not employ any ranking system.

We have begun to track our graduates in college.

Alumni of NDHS have matriculated to these colleges: