FAQs

List of 14 frequently asked questions.

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

  While enrollment is not an exact science, NDP aims for a 9^th-grade class size between 150-160 students.

  
  When it comes to individual class sizes, the average academic class size is between 13-16 students. There are some electives that will require larger class sizes (like chorus and band). But specifically, we like to keep English and math sizes, among others, on the smaller size for more student-teacher engagement.

• What is the average class size for 6^th grade at Notre Dame Prep?

  NDP aims for a 6^th-grade class size of 50-55 students, with an average academic class size of between 13-16 students.

• What does diversity and inclusion mean at NDP?

  • NDP 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.

  NDP’s all-school student of color percentage is 23% for the 2023-2024 year. 

• What learning resources are offered at NDP?

  NDP provides learning resource support to its students. Those who need accommodations, like extended time, or other qualified support measures, can meet with NDP’s learning resource teachers weekly or as needed. These supports are fee-based determined on level of need(s).

  • 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 student accepted and 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. We do not provide 100%. Documentation must be evaluated and approved for a student to receive this accommodation. 
  • In fall 2021, NDP opened a Learning Resources Center. This dedicated space houses NDP’s learning resources director, reading specialist, and math specialist. These dedicated resource experts work with students needing support in NDP's learning environment.

• Does my daughter have to shadow at Notre Dame Prep?

  Yes, the shadow day is a required part of NDP’s admissions process. Shadow days are held in the fall before a student's entering year at NDP. During this visit, she will spend a day “walking in our saddles” to experience life as an NDP student in either the Middle or Upper Level. 

   

• What does my daughter need to bring on her Notre Dame Prep shadow day?

  Visiting students are not required to bring anything on their shadow day.  Lunch will be provided. Should your daughter have food allergies, packing a lunch is encouraged.

• What should my daughter wear on her Notre Dame Prep shadow day?

  Prospective Blazers 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, slacks and a shirt. Rubber-soled and closed-toed shoes. Shadows should not wear open-toed shoes, flip flops, jeans, sweats, hoodies.

• What else do I need to know about my daughter’s shadow day at Notre Dame Prep?

  You will schedule your daughter’s shadow day by completing the online shadow day form. Your daughter will arrive for her shadow day at 7:45 am. on her scheduled day. You will be invited and encouraged to stay for a one-hour parent information session (8:00-9:00 a.m.) where you will hear detailed information on curriculum, special programs, co-curriculars, financial aid and other important school related information.

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

  Ninth Grade (9^th) applicants are required to take the High School Placement Test (HSPT) as part of NDP’s admissions process. The HSPT is administered in a variety of ways:

  • • All Catholic school applicants will test on November 29, 2023, at their schools. Students are required to test at their schools unless there is a reason they cannot.
    • Public and independent school applicants will have the option to test on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Please refer to the HSPT information on the Grade 9 Admissions page.
    • Scantron tests are also required.

  Sixth Grade (6^th) applicants are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) as part of the NDP Middle Level admissions process.

  • • While NDP is a host site on Saturday, December 10, 2022, NDP applicants can test at any Baltimore-area test location. Families can see available testing sites by visiting https://www.erblearn.org/parents/isee-overview.
    • Scantron tests are also required.

  NDP 6^th grade applicants for the 2023-2024 year, should take the ISEE no later than January 16, 2023.

• Does NDP require a technology device for learning?

  Yes. Incoming 9^th graders 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 program and buy it on their own. All of this information is available in the accepted student's packet. Sixth graders and Middle Level students purchase their own devices and participate in the mandatory Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) program. Chromebooks or iPads are not allowed in the Middle Level BYOD.

• Is bus transportation available to Notre Dame Prep?

  NDP provides busing from four geographic areas: Anne Arundel County; Carroll County; Harford, and northern Baltimore counties; and Howard and Western Baltimore counties. Please email Jordan Jones in Admissions for more information on bus routes, jonesjo@notredameprep.com.

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

  There are both financial aid and merit and talent awards available at NDP. Please read the following bullets carefully to better understand the process for each.
  
  

  6^th Grade applicants: There is financial aid available in the Middle Level, but it is limited. The average 6^th-grade financial aid grant is about $3000. Financial aid is determined through a FACTS application and a family must show demonstrated need.
  
  

  There is one merit award available in the Middle Level called the Gateway Academic Achievement Award. It carries a $4,000 value. This is a merit-based award, so a family does not need to make a FACTS application for their daughter to earn the Gateway merit award. Refer to the Tuition and Financial Aid tab and the button for Middle Level Gateway Academic Achievement Award.

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

  NDP offers two types of monies to incoming freshman: need-based financial aid as well as merit and talent awards (no-need monies). Please refer to the bullets below for specific details on each. The average financial aid amount for a qualifying 9^th grader is between $4000-6000.
  
  

  Need-based financial aid is called grants and scholarships. All need-based aid is determined first through a FACTS application and then by a thorough review by NDP’s financial aid committee. Anyone who wants to be considered for need-based financial aid must complete a FACTS application during the open dates of Nov. 1-Jan 2 each application year. The FACTS link can be found? HERE.

  
  NDP does not list its available scholarships because they change from year to year.
  
  Please refer to the Tuition and Financial Aid tab for information and full criteria on the Merit & Talent Awards. 

   

• My daughter is applying for an off-grade (7^th, 8^th, 10^th, and for relocations 11^th). What is the off-grade admission process at Notre Dame Prep?

  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. 8^th and 11^th grades 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 student who goes through the off-grade application process must do the following:

  • Spend a shadow day with a 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 here for registration, testing locations, and other information regarding the ISEE. https://www.erblearn.org/parents/isee-overview.