Certificate Programs

Mission
 

The Notre Dame Academy STEM Excellence Certificate acknowledges students for their achievements and involvement in STEM-related activities. This certificate recognizes students who have dedicated themselves to a challenging high school curriculum and real-world experiences that will prepare them to enter college and lay the groundwork for careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics in a changing society. Opportunities to work with experts in the field and current technology both within the school and the community will be an essential part of the program and prove invaluable as students complete their capstone projects.

Learner Outcomes

Science: By completing four full years of scientific study, students will be prepared to enter an advanced college science program.

Technology: By completing courses in technology, students will develop a deeper understanding of different computer systems and their software applications to be able to use industry-related equipment to design and build 3-D objects, model buildings, or robots.

Engineering: By learning and applying the Engineering Design Process in their STEM courses, students will be able to identify a problem, create a solution, and test it.

Mathematics: By completing four years of core mathematics courses, students will be able to enter Calculus I or Calculus II in first-year college programs.

What is Problem-Based Learning?
 

The backbone of this certificate is utilizing the teaching methodology of problem-based learning (PBL). This is a teaching method in which complex real-world problems are used as the vehicle to promote student learning of concepts and principles as opposed to solely the direct presentation of facts and concepts. In addition to course content, PBL can promote the development of critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. It can also provide opportunities for working in groups, finding and evaluating research materials, and it fosters life-long learning goals for students.

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Science Requirements

• Four full years of science with a minimum grade of B+ in each class.

Technology/Engineering Requirements

• Completion of one technology/engineering course with a minimum grade of B+
• All sophomore students will be required to take a semester of the introduction to engineering and design course.*

 * This requirement will begin the class of 2024.

Math Requirements

• Four years of math including the completion of Pre-Calculus, Advanced
  Pre-Calculus, or AP Calculus or higher with a minimum grade of B+.

Overall Requirements

• Students must maintain a cumulative overall GPA of 3.0.
• Students must be in good standing prior to graduation in order to achieve the STEM certificate.
• Students must be involved with a STEM-related Club or activity either
  through NDA or an off-campus resource for three years.

*Transfer students accepted into the Certificate Program will be determined by the STEM Certificate Committee.

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Timeline

Letter of intent for the STEM Excellence Certificate program must be completed by January 15th of their sophomore year.

All applicants will be interviewed by the STEM Committee.

 

STEM Experience Requirements
 

1. Job Shadow and interview with a scientist, engineer, dentist, physician, or similar professional in the area of science, mathematics, or technology (2-hour minimum), to be approved by the STEM Coordinator.

2. Attendance and participation in the NDA STEM night for both junior and senior years.

3. All students must complete a minimum of three additional STEM experiences from the following list:

Students must complete a minimum of one of the following:

• Research Project/Independent Study in a STEM field.
• Summer Internship (Students must provide Supervisor feedback in addition to a short summary of the experience and what was learned).
• Volunteer in a lab (Students must provide Supervisor feedback in addition to a short summary of the experience and what was learned).

Students must complete a minimum of two additional experiences:

• Two STEM Events (Students must provide proof of attendance in the form of a ticket stub/receipt in addition to a short summary of the events attended and what was learned at each). Please note these two events count as one STEM experience met.
• Participation in NDA Science Club Spring Vacation Trip (offered once every three years).
• ​​​​​​​ Participate in a National Essay Contest or Competitions with a focus on a global theme.
• Attendance and assistance at a WISE related event through NDA.
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Another project approved by the STEM Academic Coordinator.

4.   A Capstone Portfolio and presentation to the STEM committee.

 

MISSION
 

The mission of this certificate is to recognize students who have dedicated themselves to a challenging high school arts curriculum and real-world experiences that will prepare them for entrance into prestigious Arts colleges and universities. It is also intended to heighten student art experiences in order to prepare for careers and to build more skilled consumers of Visual and Performing Arts.

NDA recognizes the importance of the Arts by requiring all ninth graders to participate in the dedicated rotation of Art, Drama, Dance, and Music. Tenth graders are required to participate in the semester-long class of Arts and Music in Society.

Learner Outcomes
 

Visual Art: By completing 9th grade arts rotation and 10th grade Music and Arts in Society in addition two Visual arts electives students will be prepared to enter an advanced college Art program.

Music: By completing 9th grade arts rotation and 10th grade Music and Arts in Society in addition to two Music electives and 4-years of participation in school music programs, students will be prepared to enter an advanced college Music program.

Dance: By experiencing dance in 9th grade physical education and 10th grade Music and Arts in Society, in addition to 3-years of participation in the school dance ensemble, students will be prepared to enter an advanced college Dance program.

Theatre: By completing 9th grade arts rotation and 10th grade Music and Arts in Society in addition to two Theatre arts electives and 4-years of participation in the school Theatre program, students will be prepared to enter an advanced college Theatre program.

Multi-disciplinary: By completing 9th grade arts rotation and 10th grade Music and Arts in Society in addition to two arts electives and 4-years of participation in the school arts programs, students will be prepared as more skilled and educated consumers of the arts and to enter an advanced college arts program.

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Music Requirements

Two music electives with a minimum grade of B+ in each class.

In addition to the Music electives students should participate all four years in the school music program which include:

•  Jazz Ensemble
• Instrumental Ensemble
• Chamber Chorale
• Glee Club
• Guitar Ensemble
• Percussion Ensemble
• Private music instruction

Visual Arts Requirements

• Two Arts electives with a minimum grade of B+.
• All visual arts students must be involved with the school Arts club for a minimum of three years.

Dance Requirements

• Three years of participation in NDA Dance Ensemble.
• Additional off-campus studio experiences.

Theatre Requirements

• Two theatre electives with a minimum grade of B+ in each class.
• In addition to the Theatre electives students should participate all four years in the school theatre program which include:

- Annual School Musical
- Fall Play
- Drama Club
- Drama Competitions

Multi-Disciplinary Requirements

• Two electives from Music, Visual Art or Theatre with a minimum grade of B+ in each class.
• In addition to the above Academic electives students should participate all four years in at least two of the school Arts programs which are mentioned above.

Overall Requirements

• Students must maintain a cumulative overall GPA of 3.0.
• Students must be in good standing prior to graduation in order to achieve the Arts certificate.
• Students must be involved with an Arts related Club or activity either through NDA or an off-campus resource for three years.

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TIMELINE

• Letter of intent for the GPS Excellence Certificate program must be completed by January 15th of their sophomore year.
• All applicants will be interviewed by the Salisbury Certificate Committee.

Art Experience Requirements
 

1. Job Shadow and interview with a professional in concentrated field, eg. professional artist, musician, dancer, actor or director.

2. Attendance and participation in the NDA Salisbury night for both junior and senior years.

3. All students must complete a minimum of three additional experiences from the following list:

• Research Project/Independent Study in an Arts field
• Summer Internship (Students must provide Supervisor feedback in addition to a short summary of the experience and what was learned).
• Volunteer for a local arts organization (Students must provide Supervisor feedback in addition to a short summary of the experience and what was learned).
• Participation in NDA Spring Vacation concert tour (only offered once every three years).
• Arts Day Performance and Exhibition
• Drama Competitions
• Art All State
• Central District Music
• All State Music
• Community Theatre performances
• Boston Globe Student Arts Awards
• Slam competitions
• Arts classes at local institutions such as Worcester Art Museum, Hanover Theatre, Worcester Center for Crafts, ARTSWorcester
• Other Arts experiences as approved

4. A Capstone Portfolio and presentation to the Salisbury Arts committee.

 *Transfer students accepted into the Certificate Program will be determined by the Salisbury Arts Certificate Committee

MISSION

 

The Notre Dame Academy Global Perspective Studies (GPS) Certificate is designed to help NDA students prepare for their role in the global community. In the spirit of Notre Dame Academy, St. Julie Billiart, and the Sisters of Notre Dame, this certificate program challenges our students to become both linguistically and culturally fluent through a challenging high school curriculum, cultural connections, and real-world experiences to prepare them to enter college and become aware of the challenges of our constantly evolving world.

Learner Outcomes
 

Language: By completing two years of required high school language courses of Spanish or French as well as two additional full years of the same language, students will be prepared to enter an advanced college language program.

Multi-Disciplinary: By completing 10th grade World Literature and World History and 12th grade World Religions, students will be able to reflect on the international focus of these courses.

Culture: By completing additional cultural experiences, students will develop a deeper understanding of different customs and traditions which will enable them to think from a global perspective.

Real-World: By traveling with purpose, either service oriented or educational, students will be able to witness and experience different societies first-hand.

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Language Requirements

• Four consecutive years of high school Spanish or French with a minimum grade of B+ in each class.

Multi-Disciplinary Requirements

• Completion of World Literature, World History, and World Religions courses with a minimum grade of B+ in each class.

Connections Requirement

• Completion of one connection with other Notre Dame schools around the world through venues such as NDVS or online service projects or tours.

Overall Requirements

• Students must maintain a cumulative overall GPA of 3.0.
• Students must be in good standing prior to graduation in order to achieve the GPS certificate.
• Students must be involved with a Language Club or activity either through NDA or an off-campus resource for two years as well as another club with an International focus for one year.

*Transfer students accepted into the Certificate Program will be determined by the GPS Certificate Committee

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Timeline

Letter of intent for the GPS Excellence Certificate program must be completed by January 15th of their sophomore year.

All applicants will be interviewed by the GPS Committee.

 

GPS Experience Requirements

1. Job Shadow and interview with a professor, lawyer, diplomat, translator, or similar professional in the area of global affairs and languages (2-hour minimum) to be approved by the GPS coordinator.

2. Attendance and participation in the NDA International night or concert for both junior and senior years.

3. All students must complete a minimum of three additional GPS experiences from the following list:

Students must complete a minimum of one of the following:

•  Research Project/Independent Study in an International field.
• Summer Internship (Students must provide Supervisor feedback in addition to a short summary of the experience and what was learned).
•  Participate in a National Essay Contest or Competitions with a focus on a global theme.

Students must complete a minimum of two additional experiences:

• 2 Cultural Events (Students must provide proof of attendance in the form of a ticket stub/receipt.  In addition to a short summary of the events attended and what was learned.) Must do both cultural events and this only counts as one GPS experience met.
• Participate in GPS Committee pre-approved service oriented or educational international travel of four days or more with either NDA, vetted outside organizations, or family members.
•  Serve at a volunteer site at home or abroad that has a global focus and is pre-approved by the GPS Committee.
• Other project approved by the GPS Academic Coordinator.

4. A Capstone Portfolio and presentation to the GPS committee.