The Tradition
Notre Dame students are a part of the Holy Cross family. Like so many before then, they experience the richness of a Catholic educational experience in a tradition deeply rooted in the religious congregation's educational ministry to the local and universal Church. It was from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana that several Brothers of Holy Cross came to Sherman Oaks in 1947 to found a private Catholic high school under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over a half a century, the Notre Dame community has built upon the heritage and mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross and continues to give life to the words of its founder, Blessed Basil Moreau:
"The mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart. While we prepare
useful citizens for society, we shall likewise do our utmost to prepare citizens for
eternal life."
The Values
Integral to the Holy Cross educational philosophy is the formation of the whole person. In keeping with this philosophy. Notre Dame bases its mission on these shared values:
Spiritual - We strive to give students a comprehensive undesrtanding of the Catholic faith, a repect for the value of the individual and the expereince of a faith community, lived out through the liturgy, prayer, and service.
Intellectual - We seek a curriculum that meets the highest standards of accreditiation and society, preparing students for college and post-secondary pursuits, and which fully develops students' skills for communication and critical thinking.
Personal - Notre Dame seeks to mold students who value themselves and others, who apply gospel values in moral decision-making, who have a strong aesthetic sense, and who exhibit self-discipline and a cooperative spirit.
Communal - Notre Dame aims to promote an active interest in the well-being of others, understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and an awareness of the responsilibities of citizenship.