Mission Driven, Student Centered, Faith Based, Globally Focused

Leading with Grace
Since its founding in 1873, Notre Dame Preparatory School has offered a solid liberal arts-based curriculum while responding to the educational needs of the modern times. Today, NDP draws on the diverse leadership talents of Head of School Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D., academic leaders, department directors, Board of Trustees, and the congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame as the school educates young women to transform the world.

A Message from the Head of School

The Gift of Advent

At a time of year when everyone and everything seems to be going at breakneck speed, the Season of Advent and its message of stillness and patience is a welcome challenge for us. Advent gives all of us something we often feel is lacking in our lives: the gift of time—time to practice patience, as we prayerfully await news of the birth of our Savior and time to reflect on our relationships with each other and God.

Today more than ever, these Advent gifts have never been more needed, especially for those of us who may be struggling, whether it be with a personal or medical issue, the loss of a loved one, or the devastation caused by war, violence, and hatred. As we make time this Advent for quiet prayer and reflection, let us also make time for Christ, whose birth reminds us of the great sacrifice God made for our salvation from sin and death. As a Catholic school community, which for 150 years has been united and strengthened by God’s love, let us draw closer in our anticipation and celebration of Christ’s birth and keep Him close in our hearts now and throughout the coming year.

May you and those you love have a blessed Advent and a wonderful, joyous Christmas!

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  • Read Sister Patricia's Bio

    Sister Patricia McCarron’s appointment as Notre Dame Preparatory School’s ninth headmistress, which began July 1, 2005, completes a remarkable circle: she started her professional career there as a faculty member in the mid-1980s and returned to lead the school 30 years later. Sister Patricia guides the NDP faculty and staff in its mission of educating young women to transform the world.

    In the years that she has been headmistress, Sister Patricia has overseen remarkable growth at Notre Dame Preparatory School, including expanding academic and extra-curricular programs; implementing two strategic plans for the school; renovating the Middle Level and other campus spaces; steadily increasing the school’s annual fund and endowment; and continuing to raise the community's awareness of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and their commitment to service and justice in the world.  Under her leadership, NDP has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2012 and again in 2020; a Top Workplace by The Baltimore Sun; A Baltimore Style and Daily Record Reader’s Top Choice School; and a Top Engineering Source School by University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering.
     
    As a School Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Patricia is committed to empowering others through education.  Before her appointment at NDP, Sister Patricia served as Associate Academic Dean at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.  Prior to that, she held administrative positions at both Bishop Walsh Middle/High School in Cumberland and at The Seton Keough High School in Baltimore.
     
    Sister Patricia holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy from the Catholic University of America and an M.Ed. in Education Management and Supervision from Loyola College.  She earned her undergraduate degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.  Sister Patricia is a recognized speaker on the topics of Catholic identity and Catholic school leadership.  She is in The Daily Record’s “Circle of Excellence” for being named among the Top 100 Women in Maryland in 2008, 2010, and 2013. In 2014, she received the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA)’s Educational Excellence Award.  She previously served on the Board of the Notre Dame of Maryland University (2014-2020) and currently serves on the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Child Abuse Review Board.

Board of Trustees

The Notre Dame Preparatory School Board of Trustees is comprised of dedicated professionals including alumnae, parents of alumnae, School Sisters of Notre Dame, and community leaders. Their commitment to the school is unparalleled, and we are grateful for their service.

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  • Notre Dame Preparatory School Board of Trustees

    NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2023-2024

    S. Jane Forni, SSND, Ed.D., Chairperson
    Patrick Antkowiak
    Karyn Danielczyk Bauer, CPA '93
    April Bell
    William Benassi
    James Brennan
    Margo Bryant
    Mark Buedel
    Sister Jane Cayer, SSND
    Victoria B. Chou, M.S., Ph.D. '92
    Michael Constantine
    Matthew C. Franke
    Mary Glagola
    Allison Nicolaidis
    Lisa Petit, M.D.
    Jennifer Poitras
    John Schiech
    Jennifer Brune Speargas '92
    Richard Stromberg
    J. Scott Wilfong
    Kathleen Willis
    Kathy Stanley Wilmot '77
     
    S. Mary Fitzgerald, SSND – SSND Liaison
    S. Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D. – Ex Officio
    Jennifer Poitras – Faculty Representative

Leadership Team

List of 6 members.

  • Photo of Patricia McCarron

    Sister Patricia McCarron SSND, Ph.D.  

    Head of School
    (410) 825-6202 x1001
  • Photo of Jennifer Casey

    Ms. Jennifer Casey 

    Academic Dean
    (410) 825-6202 x1502
  • Photo of James  Lancaster

    Mr.  James  "Jim" Lancaster 

    Upper Level Assistant Principal
    410-825-6202, Ext. 1027
  • Photo of Jessica  Morrison

    Mrs.  Jessica  "Jess" Morrison 

    Upper Level Dean of Students
    (410) 825-6202 ext. 1003
  • Photo of Victor  Pellechia

    Dr. Victor  "Vic" Pellechia 

    Upper Level Principal
    (410) 825-6202 ext. 1026
  • Photo of Jo Marie Tolj

    Mrs.  Jo Marie Tolj 

    Middle Level Principal
    (410) 825-6202 ext. 1412

Head of School Council

List of 6 members.

  • Photo of Jennifer Caine

    Mrs. Jennifer Caine 

    Director of Upper Level Admissions & Enrollment Management
    (410) 825-6202 x1622
  • Photo of Cami Colarossi

    Ms. Cami Colarossi 

    Director of Communications
    (443) 921-2785
  • Photo of Lindsay Dorrance

    Ms. Lindsay Dorrance 

    Director of Advancement
    410-825-6202 ext. 1106
  • Photo of Tracey Kuhn

    Mrs. Tracey Kuhn 

    Assistant Head of School for Finance and Administration
    (410) 825-6202 ext. 1025
  • Photo of Sharon Slear

    Sister  Sharon Slear SSND 

    Executive Director of Academics
    (410) 825-6202 ext. 1015
  • Photo of Kerry White

    Mrs. Kerry White 

    Director of Middle Level Admissions & Enrollment Management
    (410) 825-6202 x1012

Notre Dame Preparatory School

An Independent, Catholic Girls School, Grades 6-12, Sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame