Admissions FAQ

At Notre Dame Preparatory School, we want you to be as informed as possible about the admissions process. Below are some frequently asked questions from prospective families. The majority of these questions and answers pertain to prospective students and applicants for grades 6 and 9. Anyone interested in the off-grade admissions process should refer to the final question under the General Questions section.

General Questions

List of 7 items.

  • What is the average class size for 9th grade at Notre Dame Prep?

    While enrollment is not an exact science, NDP aims for a 9th grade class size between 150–160 students. Additionally, the average academic class size is between 13–16 students. There are some electives such as chorus and band that will require larger class sizes, but we prefer to keep class sizes small for subjects such as English and math to allow for more student-teacher engagement.

  • What does Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) mean at NDP?

    Notre Dame Preparatory School is an institution rooted in the Catholic faith, grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and steadfast in the charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. As a Catholic institution, Notre Dame Prep adheres to the fundamental teaching of the Gospel and the Catholic Church: Everyone is made in God's image and is endowed with dignity worthy of respect.

    Notre Dame Prep is dedicated to developing students to become global citizens ready to transform the world. The school believes all of us benefit when diversity and excellence are joined. Only in an inclusive community can our students grow into women who are comfortable navigating the globally engaged world they will enter. This ability to thrive will allow our students to shape the world to better reflect the values that NDP strives to impart.

    You may read more about our DEIB efforts on our DEIB at NDP page.

    For the 2024–2025 school year, approximately 28% of Notre Dame Prep's student body identify as Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC).

  • What learning resources are offered at NDP?

    In 2021, NDP opened its Learning Resources Center—a dedicated space which houses NDP’s Director of Learning Resources, Reading Specialist, Writing Specialist, and Math Specialist. Those who need accommodations, such as extended time on exams or other qualified support measures, can meet with NDP’s dedicated Learning Resource Specialists on a weekly basis or as needed.

    These services are fee-based, and fees are determined by level of need(s). See below for some additional information about our learning resources and how to apply:

        • Any prospective student must submit a copy of her educational evaluation for review as part of the admissions process.

        • IEPs and 504s are only recognized for HSPT accommodations. Any accepted student who enrolls at NDP must have a completed educational evaluation to be considered for NDP-supported accommodations as an enrolled student.

        • NDP honors accommodations for 50% extended time. We do not provide 100% extended time. Documentation from an educational psychologist must be evaluated and approved for a student to receive this accommodation.

  • What tests are required for admission to Notre Dame Prep?

    Upper Level applicants are required to take the High School Placement Test (HSPT) as part of NDP’s admissions process. For more information, view the Testing section on our Apply page.

    Middle Level applicants are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) as part NDP's admissions process. For more information, view the Testing section on our Apply page.

  • Does NDP require a technology device for learning?

    Incoming Grade 9 students are required to own and use a laptop device. The device can be purchased through NDP or students can participate in the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program and buy it on their own. All of this information is available in the accepted student's packet.

    Middle Level students are required to have a laptop that meets academic requirements. Families may choose to 1) purchase their laptop from the NDP/Dell Laptop Program OR 2) bring their own laptop.

  • Is bus transportation available to and from the school?

    Depending on interest, fee-based bus service to and from Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, northern Baltimore County, and Howard County may be available. Please email the Admissions Office at admissions@notredameprep.com for more information about bus transportation.

  • My daughter is applying for an off-grade (7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th for relocations). What is the off-grade admissions process?

    While NDP will consider off-grade applicants, space availability does not always allow for off-grade enrollment. Please call the admissions office to check on space availability. Grades 8 and 11 are the most competitive for admission, as there are usually very few spaces available in either of those grades and social and academic transition can be more challenging.

    Any prospective student who goes through the off-grade application process must do the following:

        • Attend a Blazer Day (formerly Shadow Day) with an NDP student in their current grade.

        • Bring copies of prior year's final report cards and standardized testing.

        • Take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) between mid-November and the second Sunday in January of the application year. Visit the link above for registration, testing locations, and other information regarding the ISEE.

Financial Aid Questions

List of 2 items.

  • My daughter is applying for 6th grade. What do I need to know about financial aid, merit awards, and talent awards?

    Financial aid, merit awards, and talent awards are available to 6th grade applicants. Please read the information below, and visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page for more information.

        • Need-based Financial Aid is determined through a FACTS application and a family must show demonstrated need.

        • Merit-based Awards: Notre Dame Prep offers several academic merit-based awards, which are granted to each student who meets the criteria. The school identifies the recipients through grades and test scores. More details about these awards will be provided at the parent session on the morning of your daughter's Blazer Day (formerly Shadow Day).

        • Talent-based Awards: Notre Dame Prep offers four talent-based awards for incoming 6th grade students. Prospective students must apply for these awards. More details about these awards will be provided at the parent session on the morning of your daughter's Blazer Day (formerly Shadow Day).

  • My daughter is applying for 9th grade. What do I need to know about financial aid, merit awards, and talent awards?

    NDP offers two types of aid to incoming freshmen: Need-based Financial Aid and Merit & Talent Awards. Please refer to the information below about these types of aid.

        • Need-based Financial Aid: Need-based financial aid, also called grants and scholarships, is determined first through a FACTS application and then by a thorough review by our Director of Upper Level Admissions & Enrollment Management and members of our Financial Aid Committee. Awarded amounts are included in your acceptance packet and will be applied to your enrollment contract. Anyone who wants to be considered for need-based financial aid must complete a FACTS application between November 1 and January 2 each application year. NDP does not list its available scholarships because they change from year to year.

        • Merit & Talent Awards: Please refer to our Tuition & Financial Aid page for information and criteria about our Merit & Talent Awards for incoming 9th grade students.

Blazer Day Questions

List of 4 items.

  • Does my daughter have to attend a Blazer Day (formerly Shadow Day) at Notre Dame Prep?

    Yes, the Blazer Day is a required part of NDP’s admissions process. Blazer Days are held in the fall, and during this visit, your daughter will spend a day experiencing life as an NDP student in either the Middle or Upper Level.

  • What does my daughter need to bring on her Blazer Day?

    Prospective students are not required to bring anything on their Blazer Day. Lunch will be provided. However, packing a lunch is encouraged if your daughter has food allergies.

  • What should my daughter wear on her Blazer Day?

    Prospective students may wear their school uniform (if they attend a parochial school), but it is not required. If students choose to dress out of uniform or are coming from a public school, NDP suggests “Sunday church casual” attire—a skirt and blouse, a dress and cardigan, or slacks and a shirt—along with rubber-soled and closed-toed shoes. Prospective students should not wear open-toed shoes, flip flops, jeans, sweats, or hoodies.

  • What else do I need to know about my daughter’s Blazer Day?

    Here is some additional information about our Blazer Days:

        • You will schedule your daughter’s Blazer Day after completing our Upper Level Inquiry Form for prospective high school students or our Middle Level Inquiry Form for prospective middle school students.

        • Your daughter should arrive for her Blazer Day at 7:45 a.m. on her scheduled day.

        • You will be invited and encouraged to stay for a one-hour parent information session (8–9 a.m.) where you will hear detailed information about our curriculum, special programs, co-curricular offerings, financial aid, and other important school-related information.

Notre Dame Preparatory School

815 Hampton Lane Towson, Maryland 21286
Telephone: 410.825.6202
An Independent, Catholic Girls School, Grades 6-12, Sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame