At NDES, junior high students have the opportunity for daily electives.
Electives and Block Scheduling
At NDES, junior high students have the opportunity for daily electives. Elective options include yoga, outdoor fitness, martial arts, dance, instant challenge, Tech Club, Book Club, STEM: Scratch Programming, Alphajump, First Lego League Robotics, illustration and painting, bucket drumming, 3-D animation, comic class and culinary arts. The exposure to many different areas allows students to explore options and learn how they can use their gifts to transform the world.
In addition, junior high students now receive the benefits of block scheduling. Each day they have three core classes and one elective. Classes are divided so they have English language arts and social studies and religion in one rotation and math, science and a special class in the next. Specials include art, music, physical education, Spanish, career/finance and a STEM/Technology work period.
Blue-Gold days reorganize the school day into longer periods for in-depth learning, opportunities for project-based learning and individualized instruction. Students have more time to collaborate, work in teams and create projects. While helping students learn time management and organizational skills, block scheduling also prepares students for high school, as many schools, including NDCL, offer block scheduling.
Preschool Has New Home
It has been a longtime dream to have Notre Dame Elementary Preschool on the same property as the elementary school and through careful planning and support, the dream has come true. The preschool is thrilled to move to its newly renovated wing in the elementary school. Students will have access to new classrooms, a preschool resource room, a naturalistic preschool playground, a multipurpose room, gym, library and art room.
Moving and Shaking
This school year, NDES is offering dedicated time built into the school day for nutrition and movement breaks across all grade levels. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will enjoy longer lunch and recess periods, which will give them more opportunities to move and explore the beautiful campus.
