Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/1139341
16 Notre Dame Academy, high school students follow a college-preparatory academic program with a curriculum integrated across disciplines. All students take courses in English, math, world languages (Spanish, French, or Mandarin), theology, lab science and technology, social studies, physical education and visual and performing arts. Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) sections are offered across the curriculum. In addition, Notre Dame Academy is the only school on the South Shore to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, an established and globally recognized curriculum based on a European model of education. Over 4,200 schools worldwide offer this comprehensive and rigorous experience which seeks to develop life-long learners and internationally minded students through inquiry, action and reflection. It fits nicely with the mission of the Academy and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in that the goal is to develop the whole student through the unique IB Learner profile fostering risk taking, open mindedness and balance. Supporting each student's academics, a dedicated guidance and college counseling staff provides guidance in personal, academic and social growth. At the middle school level, Notre Dame Academy offers the Cuvilly program for 7th and 8th graders. Cuvilly is the village in France where St. Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, was born. "These girls are at a critical time in their social and emotional development," says Principal Joan Perrault. "We provide them with small class sizes and place a lot of attention on how they're growing—not only academically, but emotionally and socially." Notre Dame Academy encourages the girls to find their voices and develop their talents. To be asked at age 12 or 13, Who are you and how can we help you grow? is incredibly powerful. We educate today's girls to be tomorrow's leaders. Annemarie Lynch Kenneally '80, P'13 ‚'15 President of Notre Dame Academy Recognizing that middle school students' needs differ from those of older high school students, Notre Dame Academy provides a nurturing environment led by an assistant principal dedicated to the Cuvilly program. Students are encouraged to explore and develop their gifts and talents. High school students mentor their younger counterparts in the arts, athletics and co-curricular clubs including robotics. Students study six core subjects—theology, English, math, science, social studies, and world languages (Spanish, French, or Mandarin)—and additional classes are NOTRE DAME ACADEMY: A Vibrant Learning Community for Young Women Since 1853, Notre Dame Academy (NDA) has created a vibrant learning community for young women. Set on a beautiful campus in the coastal town of Hingham, NDA is a Catholic, private all-girls school serving grades 7-12. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the school's mission is to challenge young women to pursue excellence in academics and the arts, to guide them in their personal faith formation and to encourage social responsibility on behalf of global justice. At By Erica Ford