Notre Dame High School is a coeducational Catholic college-preparatory school in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township, in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The school operates under the supervision of the Catholic Diocese of Trenton and has been accredited by Cognia since 2013.
As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 894 students and 67.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.2:1. The school's student body was 77.6% (694) White, 5.6% (50) Black, 5.0% (45) two or more races, 4.6% (41) Asian, 6.7% (41) Hispanic and 0.4% (4) American Indian / Alaska Native.
Contents
History
Built in 1957, Notre Dame High School is located in Lawrenceville, near Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, the Lawrenceville School and the Hun School of Princeton. The Diocese of Trenton also neighbors the school. The main building itself is square in shape, housing classrooms on two floors. Its mascot is the "Irish," usually displayed on athletic wear as a shamrock affixed to "ND." The current president is Ken Jennings, accompanied by principal Michele Martinez.
The school uses a form of block scheduling for its students. In a typical semester, a student has three 80-minute block classes and two 40-minute blocks. One of the 40-minute periods is usually reserved for a lunch period, while the other is reserved for physical education or an additional 40-minute class. There is an "activity period" between the four 80-minute blocks during the day in which students can study, take an additional lunch period, or participate in various school activities (groups, clubs, community service).
The school features a newly renovated theatre, gymnasium, student center (cafeteria), several standard classrooms, offices, film lab and science labs, school store (The Leprechaun Shop), a renovated track, wrestling room, cross country path, weight-room, two turf fields with lights and stands, tennis courts, various outdoor playing fields, media center–library, chapel, campus ministry, broadcasting studio, college and school counseling office and courtyard.
Parallel to the school's student parking lot flows Shabakunk Creek, which was the location of a Revolutionary War skirmish between American rebels led by Colonel Edward Hand and the British military, delaying the British before the Second Battle of Trenton. A small commemorative sign marks the spot where the battle occurred.
Class of 2023 Student Data
The 2023 averages of the school's SAT scores were 560 Evidence Based Reading and Writing and 547 Math. Eighteen Advanced Placement Program courses were tested. Of 374 AP exams taken, 80% of students scored a 3 or above. The class had 7 students who were recognized as Commended Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Program, 1 National Hispanic Recognition Scholars, 2 National African American Recognition Scholars, 23 Advanced Placement scholars, 15 Advanced Placement Scholars with Honors and 19 Advanced Placement Scholars with Distinction. 99% of students went on to college.
Athletics
The Notre Dame High School Irish participate in the Colonial Valley Conference, which is comprised of high schools from Mercer, Middlesex and Monmouth counties, and operates under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. The football team competes in the Capitol Division of the 94-team West Jersey Football League superconference and was classified by the NJSIAA as Non-Public Group A (equivalent to Group II for public schools) for football. The school is historically known for its football team and track program, which have both earned numerous awards and acknowledgments.
The boys soccer team won the Non-Public Group A state championship in 1961 (defeating runner-up St. Cecilia High School in the final of the tournament), 1966 (vs. St. Aloysius High School), 1967 (vs. Trenton Cathedral High School), 1970 (vs. St. Joseph High School), 1974 (vs. Christian Brothers Academy), 1975 (vs. Seton Hall Preparatory School), 1977 (vs. Seton Hall Prep), 1982 (vs. Don Bosco Preparatory High School), 1983 (vs. Hudson Catholic Regional High School), 1984 (vs. Don Bosco) and 1991 (as co-champion with Don Bosco). The program's 10 state titles are tied for fifth in the state.
The girls' outdoor track and field team won the Non-Public A state championship in 1982-1985 and 1993–2000. The 12 state championships won by the girls' squad is tied for the most by any school and the eight consecutive titles won from 1993 to 2000 marks the longest streak of any school in the state. Notre Dame's Sabrina Alexander won the Non-Public A state championship in the 100m hurdles in 2013. Vanessa Romulus won the Non-Public A state championship in the high jump in 2012 and 2013. Nicole Kurtain won the Non-Public A individual cross country championship in 2001.
The football team won the Non-Public Group A South state sectional championship in 1983 and 1989. The 1983 team won the Non-Public A South sectional title after defeating Holy Spirit High School by a score of 10-6 in the championship game.
The baseball team won the Non-Public Group A state championship in 1983 (defeating Essex Catholic High School in the tournament final), 1985 (vs. Bergen Catholic High School), 1987 (vs. Bergen Catholic), 1990 (vs. Saint Joseph Regional High School), 1991 (vs. Seton Hall Preparatory School). The program's five state titles are tied for tenth in the state. The 1983 team had a season record of 23-6 after winning the Parochial A title by defeating Essex Catholic by a score of 5-4 in the championship game.
Notable alumni
David Bird (1959–2014), financial journalist who covered energy markets at The Wall Street Journal
Edward Bloor (born 1950, class of 1968), author of Tangerine and London Calling
Melisa Can (born 1984 as Michelle Marie Campbell), professional basketball player at the power forward position who plays for Adana ASKİ
Michael Cristofer (born 1945), actor, playwright and filmmaker who received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play for The Shadow Box in 1977
Martin Connor (born 1945), member of the New York Senate from 1978 to 2008
Nneka Ezeigbo, basketball player who played for the Robert Morris Colonials women's basketball team
Tom Guiry (born 1981), actor who played a lead role in The Sandlot
Rich Gunnell (born 1987), former wide receiver and current coach for Boston College Eagles football
Skip Harlicka (born 1946), former NBA basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks
Scott Horta (born 1988), capped member of the Puerto Rico national football team
Guy Hutchinson (born 1974), author, broadcaster, theme park historian and comedian
Star Jones (born 1962), television personality
Dick LaRossa (born 1946), politician and former television presenter who served two terms in the New Jersey Senate, where he represented the 15th Legislative District