History
The Academy was founded in 1856 in West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a 200-year-old international congregation with schools on five continents. Over 3,000 young women have graduated from NDA since its relocation to Villanova in 1944.

Enrollment
The Academy enrolls approximately 540 students in grades 6 through 12. The average enrollment for the High School is 400 and 140 for the Junior School. Students come from 30 school districts and more than 100 different schools.

• Freshman Class Size: For 2009-2010 there are currently 111 freshmen representing 33 schools and 38 zip codes.
• Sixth Grade Class Size: 38 sixth graders representing 29 schools and 24 zip codes

Faculty
Our lay faculty includes 73 teachers and administrators. Seventy percent hold advanced degrees. The faculty-student ratio is 1 to 7.

College Preparation
The Academy offers a rigorous course of study that exceeds minimum college requirements, with most students opting to take Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses and a fourth or fifth year of science, math, and foreign language. Guidance counselors begin college preparation with students in their freshman year.

Advanced Placement
Notre Dame offers seventeen AP courses. In 2008-2009, 167 students took 265 exams of which 81 percent scored 3 or higher.

Technology
The entire campus is networked with fiber optic and high speed Internet access. Students have the use of three multimedia computing labs and a state-of-the-art digital language lab. Seventy percent of classrooms are equipped with interactive Smart Boards, multimedia workstations with video and DVD capabilities, and LCD projectors that seamlessly integrate media resources. The campus has its own closed-circuit cable network and a video production studio.

Activities
A wide variety of sports options are offered each season. Extensive co-curricular opportunities range from academic competitions such as Hi-Q and Mathletes, to publications such as newspaper and yearbook, to Student Council and Campus Ministry.

Scholarships and Financial Aid
Academic scholarships and need-based financial aid are available.

Campus Enhancements
Recent enhancements to Notre Dame's campus include the Harron Family Building which provides additional classrooms, a state-of-the-art library, a new gymnasium and fitness center; a writing center; a dance studio; and improved parking.

Accreditation
The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and is a recipient of the National Exemplary Secondary School Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education. The Academy is a member of the National Catholic Education Association, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools, the College Entrance Examination Board, and the Association of Supervision, Curriculum, and Development.