FAQs

Full-day: Monday–Friday from 8:05 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Half-day: Monday–Friday from 8:05–11 a.m.

Yes, our students wear uniforms from kindergarten through eighth grade. Information about purchasing options and uniform exchange programs is offered as part of the enrollment onboarding process.

Yes! We offer before- and after-school care daily for students in preschool, 4-year-olds’ full-day program, through eighth grade.

Yes, hot lunch is available to all full-day students on Mondays and Fridays. Lunch ordering is handled in advance through Kiddos Catering.

There are many different extracurricular activities for students that foster physical and mental development. Intramurals are offered for Kindergarten through 4th grade. Grades 5 through 8 play league sports against other schools. Sports offered include cross country, volleyball, basketball, track, football, and cheerleading. Other extracurriculars include Student Council, Student Ambassadors, Talent Show, Media Club, Mock Newbery, Altar Serving, Choir, Scholastic Bowl, and various Math and Science competitions. Older students also serve as lunch monitors, flag honor, patrol duty, and crossing guards.

Many after-school enrichment programs are offered to students in grades K-8th on Monday-Friday from 3-4:15 from September through April. Programs are parent-paid and include a variety of opportunities on a rotating basis based on student interest and parent feedback. Some examples of programs we have offered are Chess Club, BAM Theatre, Bricks 4 Kidz, Young Rembrandts, STEAM Pro Academy, Little Medical School, Coding Club, Spanish Club, Health & Wellness, Pottery Making, Craft Club, Coding, Babysitter Boot Camp, Bucket Drumming, PIllo Polo, and more!

Notre Dame encourages parent involvement at every grade level. Volunteers are an integral part of the success of our school and a great way to socialize and get to know our community. All volunteers are required to complete Protecting God’s Children certification prior to their attendance in the classroom.

School doors are locked at all times. No one is permitted to enter the school without an appointment, providing identification, and receiving a visitor’s pass.

Applications for the current school year are considered on a rolling basis.

Applications for the following school year open annually on Nov. 1, with decisions released by January 15. 

Class sizes cannot exceed 30 students. Students must be age-appropriate by Sept. 1 of the school year. Admission criteria are considered on a case-by-case basis. There is no admission exam.

A child must be toilet-trained and 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1 for 3- and 4-year-old preschool enrollment.

For a complete breakdown of tuition and fees please visit our Tuition & Fees page.

We collaborate with families to make a Notre Dame School education accessible. Contact our Admissions team to learn more about tuition assistance, which includes scholarships, need-based aid, and considerations for parishioners and families with multiple children. A family’s financial circumstances determine awards, and applications for aid are submitted through FACTS.

Additionally, the Catholic Education Foundation of the Diocese of Joliet (CEF) distributes financial need-based scholarships each year. The program is designed for K–12 students with demonstrated financial need who are currently enrolled in, or applying for, any CEF-supported Catholic school within the Diocese of Joliet for the next school year. Contact the School Office for more information, or begin an application.

Our Resource department provides a variety of resources, including:

• Creating formal accommodation plans for students with documented needs
• Administering standardized tests, such as iReady, and Speech and Academic Screenings
• Maintaining Response to Intervention (RtI) 3 tiered instructional support
• Administering Special Education referrals to D181 for evaluations of student performance and skill
• Working with classroom teachers to implement action plans for students above grade level
• Collaborating with parents, classroom teachers, and the social worker to implement academic, instructional, and behavioral plans for successful student outcomes
• Providing behavioral support in the classroom
• Providing additional materials and systems for emotional and behavioral support
• Organizing social opportunities for children across primary grade levels
• Collaborating with teachers to establish and support Study Skills curriculum
• Training support staff

Notre Dame instills a sense of stewardship and good citizenship through service-learning activities, including youth leadership, the Ministers of Care program, and family service opportunities.