As a parent. you have the choice of sending your children to a variety of schools, public and private. Why, then, would Notre Dame be the ideal place for your child to obtain the education, experience, guidance, and spiritual foundation that will not only help them throughout their education but in all of life? Take a moment and explore a few reasons.

Academics/ Civic Responsibility: Simply put, we strive for excellence in academics and service to the local community and to humanity in general. We encourage students to work hard and embrace their role in their families and society, and we keep in mind our commitment to the whole child. In addition to standard-aligned academics, our students receive music, PE, and art instruction. In grades 6-8, our junior high students have the opportunity to take electives to further their exposure to outside activities, as well as a service-learning component. We seek to develop the character of our students through the recognition of their talents.

Vocation: At Notre Dame, the discovery and shaping of a student's vocation is at the center of all we do. Understanding who God calls us to be in this life and how we respond to that call is the essence of vocation. Future doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, judges, political leaders, and religious vocations walk our halls, and we see it as our job to uncover those talents. whether we are teaching math and science, exploring the arts, or coaching kids on the basketball court, our job as a school community is to lead children to their God-given calling.

Security/Peace of Mind: We want parents to be assured of a sense of "home away from home" for their children. To feel as though your children are "at home" when they are at school is a priceless benefit that our children feel as part of the Notre Dame family. in addition to the relationships that are formed at Notre Dame, we know that this world is changing, and we need to take other measures to keep our children safe while at school. Understanding there is never a foolproof safety plan, we are proud of our secure campus with our tasteful and effective fencing and 24-hour camera surveillance that gives us a full view of the campus.

Thank you for your interest in Catholic education!

Parent Testimonials For Notre Dame School

"The academic preparation students receive at NDS far surpasses what they will get at any other school. They learn public speaking skills early on, starting with kindergarteners speaking in front of hundreds of people during class masses and performances. Not only do children learn about their faith as they participate in weekly mass, but they gain invaluable skills that will carry them far into the future. What’s more, with many schools cutting their extra-curricular programs, NDS gives all the students the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities, including music, sports, and elective programs at the junior high level."

"Notre Dame provides a nurturing environment for all children to explore and develop their full potential. Excellent academics, experienced teachers, and a safe, caring atmosphere result in kids who are self-confident and secure both academically and socially. Notre Dame has far exceeded our expectations."

"Our school community is like family. We all work together to ensure the ideal learning environment and overall success of each student. As parents participate in many fundraisers, social events, athletic programs, and classroom activities, they form meaningful lifelong friendships. Everyone genuinely cares about the well-being of each other. Whether you are Catholic or non-Catholic, the Notre Dame community is warm, friendly and welcoming to all."

"We continue to be impressed with Notre Dame’s commitment to educational programs for technology, music, physical education and the arts. When you combine this with strong academics, community involvement and a long-standing relationship with Chico State programs, our kids receive an incredibly rich, well-rounded educational experience."

"Notre Dame’s exemplary junior high academic program is its greatest strength. Our daughters both entered high school well ahead of their contemporaries in math and science, and their English skills were unsurpassed when compared to their public school peers. The strong fundamental skills they received while at NDS have allowed them to excel into college and beyond. The strong emphasis on academics -- not just by the teachers and administration but by other parents as well -- means that students are constantly challenged to be the best that they can be and achieve their fullest potential. That, coupled with the strong emphasis on faith, and being a good person make it a wonderful institution and one that we will always be grateful was available for both our daughters."

Why Our TK – 2nd Grade Students Love NDS

• “I love Notre Dame because we go to the library and the computer lab.“

• “I love NDS because we are kind to each other.“

• “I love NDS because we learn about science and planets.“

• “I love NDS because we earn awards for being good and helping others.“

• “I love NDS because we learn about religion and God“

• “I like Notre Dame because we learn and take tests on the iPad.“

• “I love Notre Dame because I like singing and music class.“

• “I love Notre Dame because we do PE and have a new play ground.“

• “I love Notre Dame because we paint in art class.“

• “ I love Notre Dame because everyone gets to be in the musical plays.“

• “I love NDS because we go on field trips and parents go with us.“

Why Our Parents Love NDS

• “NDS is a community of individuals dedicated to family, education and religion.“

• “I love NDS because I know my child is getting the best education possible with the best staff and teachers that genuinely care about my child.“

• “The parent involvement. It’s a small tight community of parents, teachers, students and administrators who have a common goal of improving the education and the overall well being of its students. “

• “I love NDS because my daughter feels safe and welcomed which is a great foundation for learning to begin.“

• “The excellent academic standards and expectations.“

• “The safe environment and the friendships we have made with other families.“

• “The faith-based environment and family participation.“

• “I love the core values, the relationships between teachers, parents and students and the high standard of education.“

• “The friendly and caring older students who take the younger students under their wings.“

• “I believe the students are getting a full experience of living a larger life with purpose, not just an education.“