LISTEN UP...NOTRE DAME

If I send my daughter to Notre Dame, who will that be different from sending her to a public school?

Notre Dame offers quality education within a religiously oriented, value centered environment. Religious education is acquired in the classroom and in daily living. Students, Catholic and other Christians, attend Religion classes three days each week, taught by trained, qualified teachers. NOTRE DAME COMBINES FAITH WITH LIVING AND LEARNING. IT'S A GREAT SOURCE OF HOPE IN OUR CHANGING WORLD.

An April 1990, evaluation of Notre Dame conducted by a team of North Central Accrediting educators, reports: "The most singular, impressive reality observed by the team was the commitment of the individuals on the staff to fulfill the purposes of the school, bot academic and spiritual. Since a student learns through observation as well as study, a Christian educator teaches through example as well as words. This positive example, based on love and concern for the individual, creates a Christian environment that reaches far beyond the classroom. The Visiting Team witnessed the educators at Notre Dame living out the school's philosophy."

When I was a kid, high school was tough. Things have changed so much since then. How do I know my son will be getting a solic academic foundation?

The teachers and staff at Notre Dame are dedicated to helping students reach their potential. The smaller class size enables one-on-one discussions and offers the personal attention so necessary to academic success. The Curriculum Guide at Notre Dame does not resemble a "shopping mall" of courses from which to choose. Instead students are guided through a sequence of courses which build skills necessary for academic success now and in the future. Emphasis is placed on a four-year program in math, science, English, social studies, and at least two years of a foreign language. Courses are taught in computer programing, and computer applications, with computer assisted instruction in other courses, and an outstanding choral program are offered all four years. These courses are offered for students of varying abilities and enrichment activities for the gifted students. In addition, students may choose to take other career oriented courses at the AREA VOCTATIONAL SCHOOL for part of the day. Furthermore, the exceptional student who is in the senior class may take courses at SEMO while attending classes at Notre Dame the rest of the day.

IF YOUR LONG TERM PLANS INCLUDE COLLEGE, then include Notre Dame in your plans because over 90 percent of Notre Dame graduates enter college. In addition, approximately 50 percent of those students entering college have received scholarships. Scholarship information is made available to the students through the Guidance Office and the personal interest of the counselors. Ninety percent of the juniors and seniors at Notre Dame take the ACT test as compared to an average of 55 percent of public school students. Even with this considerably larger percentage of students taking the ACT, the average score for Notre Dame students taking the ACT in October was 22.3 percent. At the present time, already 10 percent of the 1991 graduating class is eligible to receive the Bright Flight scholarship based on their high ACT scores. Notre Dame students also score far above national average on the P-ACT, the PSAT, and the SAT. This year our Sophomores took the P-ACT with their average score being at the 80th percentile of college-bound students nationwide who took the test. Annually, there are students who receive recognition as commended students, or semi-finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

I think it's improtant to be active outside of class also. What do Notre Dame students do for fun?

Notre Dame offers a variety of extra-curricular activities and team sports. These activities take learning beyond the classroom, enhancing self esteem, developing leadership, and creating the "spirit of Notre Dame." Being a smaller school, the students have more opportunities to get involved and to hold leadership positions in Student Council, Concert Choir, FBLA, Honor Society, Liturgy Council, Pep Club, Pro Life, SADD, Scholar Bowl, Spanish and French Clubs, the Audio-Visual team, Cheerleaders, Publications, and the annual spring musical. "The "BULLDOG" team sports include boys and girls basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 1986 and 1987 Notre Dame was awarded the 2A Boys Basketball State Championship and Sportsmanship Awards. In 1983 and 1984 Notre Dame won the 2A Baseball State Championship.

We live in a small town a few miles from Cape. I heard that only people from Cape to Notre Dame. I don't want my child to feel like an outsider.

Students come to Notre Dame from the surrounding area including Cape Girardeau County, Scott County, and counties in Southern Illinoius. The students include Catholic students from 10 different parishes as well as non-Catholic students who profit fully from a Christian education. Approximately 14 percent of the students are not Catholics and have chosen the learning environment that exists at Notre Dame.

DISCIPLINE is crucial to an environment for learning. Discipline is the atmosphere we create: respect for the teacher, respect for other students and most of all, the students' respect for themselves. At Notre Dame, our goal is discipline is to provide an atmosphere conducive to creating a good learning environment and a wholesome sense of person and community based on Christian values.

I heard that some people pay one amount and other people pay another. I'm confused! How much does it cost to attend Notre Dame?

The cost per student for the 1990-1991 year is $2,500. The parents in a Catholic parish pay $800 to the school in addition to their weekly contribution to the parish. The Catholic parish then pays $700 per student in addition to a parish assessment. Students who are not members of a Catholic parish pay $1,810. The remaining per student cost of $2,500 is raised by the Education Fund Foundation and through fundraisers.

I would like to send my son to Notre Dame but my wife and I don't earn enough. There just isn't anyway for us to scrape enough money together each year. I wish it wasn't so, but we can't make the payments.

Notre Dame does not want a student to be deprived of a Catholic education because of finances. Parents who need financial assistance are asked to speak with the Principal to apply for financial aid. Student tuition assistance is given based on need, not academic or athletic ability.

What is the procedure for applying to Notre Dame High School?

A simple phone call will begin the application procedure at any time during the year for transfer students or incoming Freshmen. Freshmen registration night is held in March. Enrollment of students continues throughout the year, however, the best time to enroll is in the spring or summer.

Does Notre Dame provide transportation to the students?

Students come to school in parent car pools, in vans, in their own cars, or on the bus provided by St. Augustine parish in Kelso.

Who supports Notre Dame?

Notre Dame relies on tuition paid by the parents and contributions toward tuition made by member of the Catholic parishes. Alumni, businesses, civic organizations, and many generous people support Notre Dame by contributing to the Notre Dame Education Fund Foundation. The Foundation receives, invests, and reinvests monies for the purpose of supporting Notre Dame. The earnings realized on the investment are turned over to the school as needed to meet the operational budget needs. Since the principal (donated dollars) is never spent, the endowment will continue to be an ongoing source of yearly income if new money is added annually to the investment. This is the reason why Notre Dame Foundation has an annual drive to raise new money for the endowment.

For more information about NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL phone or write:

Sister Mary Ann Fischer, SSND

1912 Ritter Drive

Cape Girardeau, MO. 63701

Phone: (314) 335-6772