Notre Dame High School (Belmont, California)
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Notre Dame High School, Belmont is a private Catholic all-girls school located in the San Mateo County suburb of Belmont, California. The school is operated by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
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[edit] History
On August 4, 1851, Notre Dame Academy was established by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in San Jose. The Academy, one of the earliest secondary schools to be accredited by the State of California, included elementary and high school classes for local students and was a separate entity from the College of Notre Dame which served high school and college resident students at the same location. Because of increased enrollment in both the resident and day student population, a new building was erected in 1853, and the first Mass was celebrated in the chapel on January 1, 1854. The curriculum was rigorous and included Latin, English, French, German, Spanish, mathematics, science, astronomy, botany, music, art, drama, physical education, secretarial studies, homemaking, and sewing. The present high school building, designed for a large resident population, was completed in the fall of 1928. The first graduation from the new high school building was held in 1930 with 31 graduates. During the next three decades, Notre Dame's day and resident student population continued to grow. In 1968, the Stanford School of Educational Research conducted a general study of the high school facility. As a result, the science area was renovated to provide increased laboratory space. The introduction of flexible scheduling followed and enabled greater utilization of the high school building. An additional classroom enlarged the art department, and former resident rooms were converted into seminar rooms and resource centers. In 1972, the boarding school was discontinued because of a suicide attempt.[citation needed]
Today, Notre Dame High School appears to be quite different from Notre Dame Academy and the College of Notre Dame in San Jose; yet, in many ways it is the same. The school continues to provide an educational foundation which emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, critical thinking, creative expression, physical well-being, social awareness, and self-confidence. Reflecting the vision of St. Julie Billiart and her pioneer Sisters, Notre Dame High School will continue to be a special place for students to learn, grow, and prepare for life.
[edit] Events
[edit] Aquacades
One of the high school's beloved traditions is an annual event called Aquacades, in which the four grade levels compete against one another in synchronized swimming, cheerleading, banner design, dance, and skit. Students perform skits and musical numbers to introduce the swim acts, and a crowd adorned in class colors (red, green, purple, and blue) screams cheers for their classmates. A committee of teachers and alumni judge all performances in addition to each class's overall spirit.
[edit] Former students
- Olivia de Havilland, actress
- Joan Fontaine, actress
