Notre Dame Prep Inaugurates 2025–2026 School Year with Traditional Gateway Ceremony and Opening Liturgy

Notre Dame Preparatory School officially marked the beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year on Wednesday, September 3, with its time-honored tradition designed to welcome new students and families into the community.

The day began with a New Parent Welcome Coffee in the Foyer sponsored by our Parents' Association, offering new families a chance to connect. Following this, new students gathered in the chapel to meet with our new Head of School, Dr. Angela Allen, who presented them with special tokens to signify their official place within the NDP family.

The highlight of the day was the Gateway Ceremony. Students in the 6th and 9th grades, along with all other new Blazers and Dr. Allen herself, formally began their NDP journey by walking through the school’s iconic Gateway. This powerful tradition serves as a bookend to their experience; they will pass through the Gateway again as graduates, prepared to make their mark on the world. You can view Dr. Allen's remarks prior to the Gateway Ceremony via the embedded video below and see WMAR's coverage of the ceremony here.

The day of community and celebration concluded with the Opening Liturgy, celebrated by Fr. Stephen Roth. Additionally, Dr. Allen served as the Mother of the Liturgy, lighting the Mother Candle for her very first time. The service brought the entire school together in prayer and reflection, setting a spiritual cornerstone for the year ahead.