Academics

Notre Dame Academy has long been known as northwest Ohio’s leading school for the education of young women.

Students come to NDA because they want to be around others who value striving academically as much as they do.  

2025 - 26 Course Catalog

 

Student Centered Schedule

BLOCK SCHEDULING = WELL ROUNDED EDUCATION

Notre Dame Academy’s block schedule allows for longer class periods, allowing time for more in-depth exploration of subjects. Classes meet every other day for 79 minutes.

While our students take eight classes in the block schedule, this allows them to dive into a broader range of subjects. Our schedule fosters a more well-rounded education and enables them space to explore their interests in elective classes beyond core curriculum requirements.

STUDENT FLEX TIME = STUDENT WELL-BEING

At Notre Dame Academy, our students have a mid-morning break known as flex time. This time can be utilized to ask faculty members questions, grab a snack, and get organized. Flex time aids in creating an optimal environment for our students to learn and supports their well-being.

WEDNESDAYS = FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

It is a privilege to educate your daughter. Every Wednesday, we begin 30 minutes later to allow faculty time to engage in professional development. This time is spent discussing current teaching methods, learning about advancements in technology and curriculum, and engaging in discussions that contribute to their continuous professional growth.


Ways to Earn College Credit

Fit how you earn college credit to your individual learning style

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

IB is a two-year, college-level curriculum program for juniors and seniors recognized by colleges and universities both nationally and internationally. Students will take six core college level courses, an extended essay (4,000 words), Theory of Knowledge course and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) project

International Baccalaureate (IB) Certificate

Taken as a two-year college level curriculum for juniors and seniors who want to take IB only in particular subjects. NDA students who do not select IB Diploma often take a mix of college credit courses.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Year-long college level classes that conclude with a test taken in the spring.

College Credit Plus (CCP)

Allows Ohio students in grades 7-12 to participate in early college course options. Click here for details about College Credit Plus at NDA.

 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
 

 

 

You are likely to hold more than ten different jobs in your career. Education that is only about memorizing current knowledge falls short of preparing you. To succeed, you will need to extract insights from the sea of information and apply those insights. NDA’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program does this. Contact NDA IB Coordinator Angie Joseph, 419.459.9359 x1253 to learn more.

You will discover how to lead your own learning.

Your teacher’s role will be to coach you through articulating issues, finding information, and developing solutions.

IB emphasizes critical thinking.

You will learn how to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to raise your skills to a college-level student while being supported in an encouraging environment.

You will learn from applying your knowledge.

IB is a two-year program for juniors and seniors where the second year applies the knowledge from the first year.

You will be prepared for the global economy.

IB has a strong international focus and assessments that are used in all IB programs around the world. This helps students to become more diverse and successful not only in college but future careers. IB will teach you integrated thinking. The IB curriculum is integrated across subjects so you study the same concepts from multiple perspectives.

You will be able to clearly articulate your thoughts.

Discussion, research, and writing are strongly emphasized in the IB curriculum so you’ll learn how to influence others with your ideas. Key components practiced throughout the IB program to help students learn to think for themselves and formulate their own opinions while being open to others and their opinions.

Colleges put a high value on IB.

IB makes your college application stand out. Colleges know that IB students are thoroughly prepared to succeed in college because IB is a college-level curriculum that concentrates on research, writing, discussion, collaboration, creativity, and hands-on experiences. All colleges offer credit for IB coursework. NDA graduates have earned up to a year of college credit.

 

Support & Wellness

At Notre Dame Academy, we empower students to be intellectually curious. Our comprehensive resources foster a supportive environment based on faith and understanding. Our students feel safe, heard, and connected.

Essential support for our students includes: 

Aerie Program

Academic assistance to our students entering 9th grade who may be facing academic struggles to become successful Eagles.

Intervention Services

Support for students who are on educational service plans (IEP, ISP). NDA is a John Peterson Special Needs Scholarship (JPSNS) provider. 

Link Crew

All incoming freshmen are placed in a Link Crew with two seniors who will help them navigate their first year at NDA. 

Math Lab

Free, daily tutoring by one of our certified math teachers.

Peer Tutoring

Student to student tutoring and support. 

Study Skills Class

Led by a master’s level teacher, students learn strategies to enhance study skills, organization, and time management. 

Student Resource Center

Our Resource Center provides a quiet space for study or collaborative learning. The Center serves as an information hub for the school. Housed within the Resource Center is the Maker Space where 21st century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math can be cultivated. 

 


Counseling

Academic, Social, and Emotional

The Notre Dame Academy Counseling Department works to meet students’ social, emotional, college, career, and academic needs through data-driven direct and indirect services in line with the tradition, vision, and principles of the Sisters of Notre Dame.  We empower students to be advocates for themselves and to become holistically well and socially responsible servant-leaders. Throughout your time at NDA, your counselor is there to help you with scheduling classes, support you academically, and guide you socially and emotionally. The counselors are assigned to students by last name and at NDA, students stay with their counselor the whole time they are at NDA. 

Abby (Beham) Hankenhof ’09, M.A., LPC, Licensed School Counselor (last names A-G)
ahankenhof@nda.org, 419.724.1007

Mrs. Molly Mehling, M.A., Licensed School Counselor (last names H-N)
mmehling@nda.org, 419.724.8574

Kristin (Eisel) Schank ’02, M.Ed., Licensed School Counselor (last names O-Z)
kschank@nda.org, 419.724.1013

Suicide Prevention Line: 988

Crisis Text Line: 741741

Career

NDA’s Career Counselor will meet with you at least once a year to help you develop the vision and skills to rise to the career of your dreams. You can learn professional skills and explore career options at Career Week and networking events at local universities. NDA's Career Counselor will also lead you through your Senior Project where you shadow and report on one to three careers of your choice. For more information on Career Counseling at NDA, click here.

College

Our college counselor will meet with you individually throughout your junior and senior years to help guide you through the college application process from research on Naviance through our annual college “Decision Day” May 1 celebration. All seniors attend our college application boot camp in August of their senior year. Parents are guided through the process with informational meetings junior and senior years. For more information on College Counseling at NDA, click here.

Erin Young, M.Ed., College Counselor & IB Math
eyoung@nda.org, 419.724.1008
 

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