Public school or private? That debate is as old as the Bible and, speaking of the Bible, Catholic school is a nice middle-ground alternative. Smaller classes and more money in the classroom, but not the twice-as-high tuition bill of the privates. And you don't have to be Catholic (or male) to attend Notre Dame. It's co-ed now, and I would guess that at least 50% of the students are not Catholic. I don't have a student at the school, but I speak at Notre Dame's annual college fair (representing one of the University of California schools). Every year, I'm super impressed with the students I meet, in terms of academic preparation, college readiness, thoughtfulness and a genuine love for their school. It's high end of course, as the long line of Range Rovers tell you every morning at drop-off-time. Students are engaged in classes, sports, clubs and activities. They were ready at the college fair with questions about college majors, two-year vs. four-year options and completing the UC common application. While I see only a very small slice of high school life at the college fair, the students are impressive and that says a lot. Worth considering! read more

Notre Dame High School - Ms. Lewis rocks! - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

Administrative leadership is more cliquey and immature than the students. Too much kissing up to donors. Sports are out of whack since the retirement of a very good fair AD a few years ago. The arts are sorely unappreciated by admin. Even the best teachers feel like administration is looking over their shoulder at all times and waiting for excuses to ding them. Some great students and great teachers at this school. And quite a few good staff people. They deserve better than the administration they are serving under. read more

I graduated from NDHS when Jimmy Carter was POTUS. Great experience. Can't really compare that school with current one. Almost unrecognizable to me when I visit LA now. I never really got over the school going co-ed. Back in my day it was just 800 Catholic boys (and a couple Jews). Parents rarely ventured on campus. There were 3 women on campus (a secretary and two ladies who cooked the hot lunch in the cafeteria). But the parking lot filled up with cars from the girls' schools as soon as the last bell rang. The freshman got hazed. Personal disputes were settled (one-on-one), on the back lawn of the Brothers' House. Tuition was $550/yr. It was not an expensive, fancy prep school filled with the children of the rich & famous. It was far more "Lord of the Flies," than "Jesus Lord & Savior." We did stupid things, but no one ever got expelled. Nobody got in trouble for things that happened off campus (that was left to parents and LAPD). No cell phones/text messages/smart phones/social media. Unless you saw it happen, it was all rumor, plausible deniability and a conspiracy of silence. I went on to USC, and then became an attorney, but my two best friends in the world are guys I met when we were freshman at NDHS over 50 years ago. I sent both of my sons to an all-boys Catholic HS in Northern California because I wanted them to have a similar experience. read more

The principal Alice Cottie is horrible. Because it's a private school she gets to make whatever rules she wants. My son had all As and an academic scholarship. At the end of junior year 3 weeks from the end he got an acting job for 10 days. She wouldn't accept his extended absence paperwork and said that she would tell all his teachers not to accept any homework or tests from him during the time he was absent so he went from all As to having 2 C- and Bs. She made a big stink that it caused them trouble to reschedule his 4 AP tests when all they had to do was send an email. He did take his AP tests by the way. But she said that she wouldn't let him take any AP classes in his senior year. He decided to leave the school and go straight to college after junior year rather than be threatened by this awful principal. The principal also had a meeting with all parents a few months ago warning parents to not let their kids take AP classes if they wouldn't pass the test because it looks bad for the school! She's not encouraging. She's not helpful. Alice Cotti only wants to make the school look good and doesn't care about parents or students. read more

Ask questions of teachers at NDHS. I was blind-sided one day when my 10th grader told me the English teacher was teaching about 'Toxic Masculinity'. The 1hr 37min video used in class is called: The Mask You Live In INVESTIGATING THE CAUSES OF TOXIC MASCULINITY 2015 | RUNNING TIME: 97 MINUTES Trailer at this link: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3983674/ Judge for yourself if you want to pay tuition for this. Do employers want to hire experts in toxic masculinity?? Zero advance notification from teacher and no opt-out option offered. I'm still waiting for the Toxic Femininity class from this teacher. When I inquired this is email response back from the teacher with name info redacted. Date: 4/2/19 Subject: Re: Video in class today Hi, Absolutely! Here is the link to the trailer: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3983674/ As stated on our Notre Dame website, in English II, "students will...engage in a content-based approach to multicultural literature, gradually adding a study of the elements of style to their reading." Here is the link I have found this from: https://www.ndhs.org/academics/a-notre-dameeducation/english I would like to emphasize on "multicultural" here. In English II we have been studying a vast array of cultures, and masculinity is one of them. Also, in keeping in line with the mission statement of Notre Dame of "educating hearts and minds", we simply want to present material to our students so they have a better understanding of different walks of life in hopes of educating their hearts as well. As 10th grade teachers, we completely understand that these are difficult conversations to have, but we feel it is important to have them. We always keep the Catholic doctrine at the forefront, but also present on material that our students go through on a daily basis. Thank you so much for reaching out and asking questions and letting us know that you are trying to keep an open mind. If you have any further concerns or questions do not hesitate to make an appointment with our Department Chair. Have a great evening. read more

Well, the Head of School is gone heard through a parent he was a disaster. In Oct? Wow! Maybe this will be better for the students. All the good teachers left. It is a sports school and still is. My sibling attended Campbell Hall and had a better academic experience. I found the principal here fake and not supportive. She lost good people. They remove negative/honest reviews btw. read more

My daughter started Notre Dame in the ninth grade. She had the most wonderful experience that first year and it continues to grow. She is now in her 11th year at Notre Dame and has absolutely flourished. She was in public school for most of her life and now I see why private school is better. She has strong ambition, focus, and has learned so much. The only thing I am not happy with is the amount of homework assigned at Notre Dame. It's strenuous. All in all can't complain and I do feel the teachers are wonderful read more

Notre Dame. I have a feeling this place will always hold a special place in my heart. I was definitely one of those kids who was involved in everything. I was a member of the Band, ASB (Student Government), Campus Ministry, President of two clubs, a Guest Writer for the school paper, and I was also a member of Homecoming Court my senior year. I was one of those kids that went from Laurel Hall to ND so I had friends to start with and I made even more. It is so hard to not get involved in some sort of extra curricular activity here. They have so much to offer. Being a college student, ND prepared me, and that's all you want for your kid when they go to college right? Oscar is right, the tuition is about $10,000, but you really get your bang for your buck here. Also, don't worry about the money, there are many ways for your student to go there. Some of the finest teachers are here and some of the best coaches. I guess the program that I am most thankful for is the Band program. Mr. Combes has been teaching at ND for 41 years, and I have a feeling he will keep on going. He seriously knows his craft. With the band at ND you get so much out of it. You get great friends, good study skills/time management and discipline. If it wasn't for Band, my time at ND wouldn't have been so special. Not to say the that other things that I was involved in weren't! Honestly, if you have a kid in the 7th or 8th grade, check out this school. I promise you will be happy. And yes, being right next to a mall does have its perks especially when you have a late night band practice. I know I am so thankful for my time here and everything that ND gave me. I wish that I could write more, but I have a feeling this yelp would be too long! read more

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My son is in his freshman year and absolutely adores the school. Natalia P, I think you are mistaken. Many of my son's friends are Jewish. Our family is Buddhist and we got in. My understanding is that there are many more applications than spots available. The reason being that by and large the teachers are great and the administrators have been so helpful to us. The extracurriculars including sports are top notch. The kids we've met are polite and kind. read more

Notre Dame High School - ND pool. - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

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Horrible experience We applied and my straight A student was rejected What's more we never got a letter explaining this decision. I called and wrote several letters to no avail. I believe we were discriminated based on the fact we are Jewish read more

Best school ... New principal, great education, awesome debate program ... Academically prepare you for college ... read more

I love this school. Being an alumni, this is one of the best schools around hands down. I met great friends that I am still in touch with to this day. They still have great alumni events and the teachers have always been great. read more

Graduated 07. Good memories. Cool and dedicated teachers. The school was finished their renovation by the time my year left and now they have a really clean and nice science building. The atmosphere and was nice and was a clean school with a few outdated buildings and rooms but hey, what school doesn't have those. But they have more than a fair share of newer classroom and buildings with updated and nice equipment, I heard they have a bunch of new macs and other neat toys now. Good school. Good times. Good breakfast burrito (well at least when I was there). Sold. _JoCo read more

We had a terrible experience with a key member of the administration. Tom Dill is the Dean of Men, baseball coach and is a key member of the Christian Fellowship program with the school. We had multiple problems with him and found out that others on our team had the same problems. We then found out that other families have had the same types of major bad experiences for many years. While we have sent a letter to vent our frustration, we have been told that other families have been complaining about the same issues for many years with nothing being done to fix the problems. If management never responds, I feel that it demeans the entire school. read more

Ah, Notre Dame. I went there for 4 years and never learned the school song, but it was a good school. The mall being a block away has its benefits. Especially the time when I was walking down the stairs in food court with one of my friends. He was holding his cup from the top and I told him he was going to spill it. Next thing I know, I see the cup fall out of his hand, bounce off the hand rail, hit him in the crotch, and splatter all over the floor. I was going to call him an idiot until I looked up. And to my amazement, and his shock, the girl had had a crush on was standing right in front of him and his wet pants, giggling. Seeing this I couldn't help but laugh the hardest I ever have in my life. Anyway, Notre Dame is a great high school. read more

i very loved noter daim high school very alot. All teechers no much things. I noed many things, like evolushun is not real and u go 2 hell if u dun belive in Jeses.tHe hardest clas for me was probubly math. \ thx for evrything. read more

If you can get into this school, go! Notre Dame is amazing. High school goes by so fast and ND knows how to pack as much love, knowledge and fun into these 4 years as possible. When they say they educate hearts and minds they are telling the truth. There is a loving and supportive community here that the kids are immersed in. The teachers are personally involved and give 1,000% of themselves. They are always updating with the latest technology and the most effective teaching techniques. The support staff is welcoming and happy and GREAT at their jobs. The principal, Stevie Connelly is at every event. She gives of herself 24 hours a day. The sports programs are first rate, the arts programs are inspiring. Jump in with both feet. Get involved, join mother's guild. Insist your child do the retreats. My daughter is graduating this year so prepared for college and with a really wonderful group of friends thanks to Notre Dame. read more

This is a very good school! The staff is great and you'll make tons of new friends. Get your high school education here.

My son just finished his Freshman year at Notre Dame. Amazing school. I would recommend it to everyone (of any religion.) Strong academics as well as sports programs. My son ran cross country as well as track & field & had a great time. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants to go to college (plenty of honors & A/P classes) but also likes to participate in other social activities such as sports, clubs, debate & robotics. read more

The school is more concerned about their image and a price tag than actually teaching kids to do well in life.

This school wastes no time in completely squashing any and every bit of creativity and/or personal expression that the students display. Any individuality or uniqueness among the students is discouraged and typically punished when identified. A considerable number of the teachers are condescending and often single out kids for ridiculous reasons. Furthermore, depending on what extra-curricular activities the students are involved in, select students receive special treatment from certain faculty members. This school is a money-sucking organization. In addition to the $15k that students' families already fork over for the "high quality" education(which still does not guarantee any form of college acceptance), the school constantly shoves pleas for donations down the throats of the families. Overall, I was less than satisfied with the controlling, suppressing environment. read more

OK So maybe 5 stars is really pushing it--- HOWEVER!!! just to let you know..the "handicap" ramps that you see there on campus at Notre Dame originally were only put in because a student who enrolled in the football program in the 1970's ( I won't say the year to protect my privacy) suffered a neck injury which paralyzed him from the neck down. He operated a motorized wheelchair to get to his classes..Notre Dame put the ramps in to accomodate him. After that.. the "ramps seem to have popped up everywhere within the next 5-8 years in So Cal. Even laws legislated up to mandate the ramps on sidewalks. I saw EVERY day for the whole semester.It tore me up.I witnessed the BOY'S travels thru the campus. It was an all male school at the time. Where the "fathers" (Jesuits-- who don't want you to read anything in the bible..Never read the bible by the way, cuz- I went to catholic schools my whole life) wore their robes, acted out their parts, and disgusted me. While I'm at it--Al Alcala did no teaching of Spanish, only 30 minutes of pure b.s. boasting every day and taking credit for Tim Foli's success.(Met's Shortstop) (I'm sure Alcala is 130 yrs old by now) Mater Dei was the football power, and Mr.Braun (Whose great aunt was Eva Braun) Adolph Hitler's wife) was teacher and DEAN of campus.Yeah baby. read more

Graduated in '53. Fond memories of many teachers. Most are gone by now but their memory is always there. Brothers Dunstin, Bartel, Raymond, Roberts, Cassius, Egan (the ex boxer, punched like a mules kick), Brother Rupert, and many more We were not co-ed then. Probably why I got pretty good grades, except for Latin. Worth every penny my parents spent. They couldn't afford it now. Always check the football scores, remember my first year only lost one game 6-0 in the rain. Good luck and may the wind always be at your back. Terry O'Day read more

What a waste of four years. Not once in my time at Notre Dame did the administration attempt to educate my "heart or mind". The power-driven faculty who run the school value traditional 1800s culture, where one receives a detention for speaking their mind, where one must wear a skirt that goes down near their ankles, and where some teachers would rather get you in trouble than get you a diploma. Long after I've forgotten the English and the arithmetic and the religion curriculum, the only thing I will take away from Notre Dame is that you have no freedom. The board of Notre Dame effectively strips all individual freedoms from the student, and if you think I'm making this up, it's actually printed in the student handbook that our rights get taken away. That being said, there are a few good teachers in the school who deserve to teach at a way better one, but if you are looking for a more pleasant board of directors, wait 10 years until the current administration blows over read more

My daughter just finished her freshman year and LOVED LOVED LOVED it. The classes offer a challenging curriculum and she played on the jV Volleyball as A freshman. The kids are lovely and I have enjoyed meeting all of her friends this past year and look forward to this year . There are plenty of honors & A/P . read more

Fantastic school where my son has thrived. Great community of teachers, excellent sports programs, gorgeous campus. Lots of school spirit. Highly recommend. They are just where they need to be with regard to setting uniform standards for children. No such thing as discrimination here--everyone is treated the same! Located in a beautiful neighborhood in Sherman Oaks. Tuition fair for a private school. Proud to say my son is a student at NDHS. Go Knights!! read more

Please don't buy into the hype of this corrupt school. On the surface, this school is gorgeous. If you're school-shopping for solely a beautiful campus in a great location, you've found your home for the next four years. But from the money-hungry agenda to the unscrupulous and hypocritical administrators, this place is a prison. Creative minds are neglected and unappreciated within the classroom, a majority of the teachers care little about the success and well-being of the student, and the discipline is completely unjust. In sports, I've seen the player whose parents have donated the most money to the program start over the more passionate and talented player. Now that iPads have been incorporated into the academic system, one will get a detention for simply forgetting one's iPad in a classroom or the device's battery dying in class. Worksheets will be your best friend in learning new material, as you might not experience the freedom of a quality class discussion until senior year. Fear is the primary source of discipline here at Notre Dame, just read the handbook or discuss your rights with one of the Deans, you'll soon realize you don't have any! Instead of being able to work on an assignment or read a book during a pleasant Saturday morning detention, you will either have the luxury of picking up trash and recycling bottles covered in foreign liquids, reading about everything you cannot do at the school in the classic Notre Dame student handbook, or you might just get lucky and be forced to stare at a wall and remain silent for 1-3 hours! Despite these major flaws, the school does have a successful sports reputation and a few extremely inspiring teachers. But if you don't get picked to be in their classes, good luck. Understand, high school is a very important time in one's life. This experience will shape one's mindset, intelligence, and life perspective forever. I was told by my 3rd grade teacher not to attend this school. I made the worst mistake of my life by ignoring her advice. Although I've met some lifelong friends and inspirational teachers, I would never go back and make that decision again to attend Notre Dame High School. Myself and many of my peers regret that decision to this day. read more

This is a review of the summer sports camp only. Here are the good things: the price, around $250/week and swimming every day. Lunch is included. And the facilities are super nice since it is a ritzy private school. Note it is mostly high school students who run this camp. Some of them sound like they need to assert their authority in unusual ways. Apparently for instance, my son faced repercussions for just touching the pitcher's mound. Well, he didn't know he wasn't supposed to touch the mound. Also, kids have to do push-ups if they don't catch the ball. I am sure this isn't the case with all the counselors. But some of it seems a little hard core for elementary age students. My son's favorite part was diving for change in the pool on Fridays (I think it was). The change could then be turned in for candy. While neither my son nor I were overwhelmed with this camp, I think it is a decent option for a sporty kid. read more