Distinguished Scholars Program

On the basis of elementary/middle school achievement, teacher recommendations, personal interview and entrance exam scores, a select number of first-year applicants will be invited to pursue their four-year high school education as Notre Dame Distinguished Scholars.  This High Honors Program is grounded in a challenging and diverse curriculum, featuring interdisciplinary inquiry, independent initiative and a commitment to academic excellence. Studying and learning together in this small group, a community of scholarship and intellectual curiosity will be prepared, on a more advanced level, for future studies and opportunities in higher education.
Students are invited to apply to join the Class of 2028 Distinguished Scholars Program. Click here for an application. Applications are due no later than 2:30 p.m. on November 17, 2023.


The Distinguished Scholars Curriculum follows this general outline (all High Honors courses):


FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

THIRD YEAR

FOURTH YEAR

THEOLOGY: Introduction to Catholicism and to

the Old Testament

THEOLOGY: Jesus Christ: Our Salvation; Jesus and the Church

THEOLOGY:

Meeting Jesus in the Sacraments and Our Life in Christ

THEOLOGY:

Church History and World Religions

ENGLISH: Introduction to Literacy and Genres

ENGLISH:

AP British Literature

ENGLISH: American Literature

ENGLISH:

AP Humanities or English 4 ECE (UConn credit)

MATHEMATICS*

Algebra 1 or Geometry

MATHEMATICS:

Geometry or

Algebra 2/Trig

MATHEMATICS:

Algebra 2/Trig or Analysis

(Pre-Calculus)

MATHEMATICS:

Analysis or AP Calculus

HISTORY: Introduction to World Civilization

TECHNOLOGY: Introduction to Graphic Design or Arts Elective

HISTORY:

AP American History

HISTORY:

AP American Government

MODERN LANGUAGE*

MODERN LANGUAGE

MODERN LANGUAGE

MODERN LANGUAGE

LAB SCIENCE: Biology

LAB SCIENCE: Chemistry

LAB SCIENCE: Physics

SCIENCE:

AP Environmental Science

ELECTIVE

LATIN I

2 Arts ELECTIVES OR 1 Arts ELECTIVE AND 1 Semester Indep. Study

1 FULL YEAR or 2 SEMESTERS of ELECTIVES (courses for credit)




SENIOR EXPERIENCE (required)

∗ Placement in MATHEMATICS and MODERN LANGUAGE courses is determined by the student’s previous study in elementary/middle school.