Notre Dame High School

🌟 Key Highlights: Notre Dame High School

Notre Dame High School (NDHS) is a private, co-educational, Roman Catholic college-preparatory school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is committed to fostering spiritual growth and academic excellence while embracing religious, academic, cultural, and economic diversity.

🏫 Overview

• Type: Private / Independent Catholic High School

• Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

• Grades Served: 9th Grade – 12th Grade

• Enrollment: Approximately 393 students

• Core Mission: To share the Catholic faith in an environment which fosters spiritual growth and academic excellence, developing the whole person in Mind, Body, and Soul to serve God and neighbor.

• Accreditation: SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) / Cognia and NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association).

• Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 11:1 or 12:1

✅ What Makes the School Unique?

NDHS is defined by its long history of inclusivity and commitment to a well-rounded student:

• Historic Diversity & Inclusivity: Founded in 1876, NDHS is Chattanooga’s oldest private school and was the first high school in the area to voluntarily become racially integrated (in 1963). It is Catholic but welcomes students of all faiths.

• Academic Rigor: Offers a demanding college-preparatory curriculum with multiple placement levels: College Preparatory, Advanced College Preparatory, Honors, and an extensive Advanced Placement (AP) program with a high pass rate (85%-92% reported). Over 80% of the faculty hold advanced degrees.

• Service Requirement: The Christian Service Program requires students to complete significant service hours (75 hours outside the school, plus 25 Spirit Hours for school service) to graduate, emphasizing the Catholic call to serve “women, youth, and the poor.”

• College Focus: Features four years of guidance focused on self-discovery, career awareness, and college placement. Reports that 100% of seniors graduate and are accepted to colleges/universities.

• Holistic Development: Strives to provide a rounded high school experience, offering a wide array of over 17 interscholastic sports and robust fine arts programs, all within a faith-based structure.

🎯 Who Would Enjoy This School?

This school is an excellent fit for:

• Families seeking a Catholic college-preparatory education that strongly emphasizes spiritual formation, ethics, and service.

• Students who thrive in a structured, challenging academic environment with small class sizes and personalized attention.

• Parents who value a school with a long-standing tradition of diversity and inclusivity that welcomes students from all religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Students who want a well-rounded high school experience with strong programs in academics, athletics, and fine arts.

🛑 Who Should Consider Other Options?

This school might not be the best fit for:

• Families seeking a program for elementary or middle school students (NDHS serves grades 9-12 only).

• Students who prefer a purely secular or non-religious environment, as the Catholic faith is integrated into the curriculum and the school day includes student-led prayer and theology classes.

• Families looking for an alternative educational model or a non-traditional curriculum.

📞 Contact Information