Creating Disciplined, Christ-Centered Lives!
Living out the Catholic Faith sets Notre Dame High School apart from other secondary schools in the Chattanooga area. A primary responsibility of the school is to proclaim Jesus Christ, keep him first and foremost in our hearts and minds, and teach students how to live a disciplined, Christ-centered life.
Christ-First Education
Notre Dame High School strives to have every student graduate with a deeper knowledge of their faith, an experienced relationship with Christ, and a realization of who God has created them to be and the life He has called them to live. Nurtured to gain self-confidence and a respect for religious, academic, cultural, and economic diversity, each student is prepared to make a positive difference in the world.
Faith Formation
Students must take four Religion courses to each a high school diploma at Notre Dame. In Religion I during their Freshmen year, students will learn about Scripture. Religion II focuses on Christology, the part of theology concerned with the nature and work of Jesus. In Religion III students will learn about Morality. During their Senior year in Religion IV, students will study Apologetics, the branch of theology that defends and explains the faith.
Serving Others
Popular in the Catholic Church, works of mercy or serving others is considered to be meritorious. Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and include seven acts of love that address the physical and material needs of others. Fostering an appreciation for service to others, Notre Dame High School students are required to perform 12 Corporal Works of Mercy service hours annually. Hours must benefit those who poor materially, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Notre Dame High School is a Diocese of Knoxville School
Campus Ministry
3,500+
HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE PERFORMED BY STUDENTS
House System
Notre Dame High School Faith Leadership Team
Claudia Iorio
Campus Minister
iorioc@myndhs365.com
Conor Martin
Religion Department Chair
martinc@myndhs365.com
Ian Hoerner
Religion Instructor
hoernerj@myndhs365.com
Domenic Mariani
Religion Instructor and Assistant Campus Minister
marianid@myndhs365.com
Heather Wilson
Religion Instructor
wilsonh@myndhs365.com
The House System
At its core, House allows the school to live out its Catholic identity while providing mentorship opportunities between more experienced veteran students and those still learning the ropes. One's House affiliation becomes one's smaller family unit within the larger Notre Dame High School family. Each serves to provide social and spiritual support for students.
"Notre Dame gives us so many opportunities to grow in our spiritual lives. From daily Mass to weekly All-School Mass, from religion classes to wonderful core class teachers which blend the faith into their curriculums, from Campus Ministry to Spiritual Small Groups and so much more, my faith has grown and matured thanks to the opportunities given me by Notre Dame High School. Had I chosen a different high school, I know I would be a very different person than I am today." - Hannah, Class of '24
Student Retreats
The school, in collaboration with the Campus Ministers and the Religion Department, develops yearly retreats for all students. Each retreat offers an opportunity to get off campus and away from the busyness that the school day can bring to reflect on who Christ is and who Christ is calling us to be. The retreat for seniors is designed to be both an opportunity to explore Christ, but to also look towards the transition that graduation will bring, and to dive deeper into the relationships with classmates that have been developed over the years.