Annual Report 2008-2009 The Legacy Continues… Mission: Always keeping God and family as our priority, Notre Dame Preparatory, a Diocesan Catholic high school, engages in the formation of students by integrating faith into a college preparatory curriculum that promotes academic excellence, moral values, and lifelong service. NotreThe Legacy Dame Preparatory Continues... High School Annual Report 2008-09 School Board Members .......................................................................................................................................................................2 Letter from David D. Gonsalves, Principal ..................................................................................................................................3 School Board Report, Beth McDonald, President ..................................................................................................................4 A Legacy of Success ...............................................................................................................................................................................5 Finance Committee Report, Peter Morrow, Finance Chair ................................................................................................6 A Legacy of Faith .....................................................................................................................................................................................7 A Legacy of Achievement ...................................................................................................................................................................8 A Legacy of Excellence ......................................................................................................................................................................10 A Legacy of Love ..................................................................................................................................................................................12 A Legacy of Strength ..........................................................................................................................................................................14 A Legacy of Support .......................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Catholic Tuition Organization of the Diocese of Phoenix (CTODP)........................................................................ 17 A Legacy of Support – Carolyn Rock, Director of Development ............................................................................... 18 A Legacy of Growth ............................................................................................................................................................................21 For information: Development Office (480) 634-8234 This Annual Report was written and produced by Lauren Haro and Carolyn Rock, Director of Development. Graphic design by Rubi Studio Visual Communications, LLC. ©2009 Notre Dame Preparatory High School SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS 2008–2009 PRESIDENT Beth McDonald John Berry Lisa Berry (Mrs. Brad Berry) Lora Drummond Mothers’ Guild President Ex-Officio Tony Calvis Bryon Carney Betty Fritcke Phil Gallagher David Gonsalves Principal Steve Grosvenor George Kruger Booster Club President Ex-Officio Peter Morrow MaryBeth Mueller Superintendent Carolyn Rock Development Director Paul Rubsam Director of Finance and Facilities Jim Schiffer Fr. Eric Tellez Kirk Tushaus Mary Williams Diana Zellers 2 notre dame preparatory high school • annual report 2008-09 Dear Friends, Notre Dame has recently completed another very successful school year. Over the first seven years of existence, we have grown from a fledgling institution of 220 students to a thriving and vibrant school that enrolls 925 students. During this time, we have remained steadfast to our mission of providing a Catholic college preparatory program that excels academically, athletically, and spiritually. This past year Notre Dame remained true to this tradition of excellence. Last spring we sent all of our graduating seniors on to higher education. Ninety-six percent went on to four-year colleges, while four percent opted for community colleges. These students were accepted to some of the finest colleges and universities across the nation and earned more than $4.8 million in scholarship aid. Athletically, we won seven team state championships, which brings our total to 19 over the past four years. Finally, and most importantly, our students performed more than 36,000 hours in the community benefitting those less fortunate. All of the above was accomplished while still remaining true to those “Expected Schoolwide Learning Results” (ESLRs) that we hold most dear for all of our graduates: • Reverence for our Creator, while demonstrating a Christian moral awareness and approach to the community based on the message of Jesus Christ. • Respect for self, others, property, and the environment within which we live. • Responsibility that goes with being a citizen. Accepting the responsibilities that come with global awareness as well as being a student at Notre Dame. Possessing an awareness and a willingness to respond to the issues and needs of local and global communities while working to master subject knowledge, using critical thinking skills, technology, and communication skills. In conclusion, once again our students have shown themselves to be prepared to meet the challenges of the outside world. We have accomplished a great deal this past school year and with the help of our parents, friends, and benefactors we will continue to provide an outstanding educational experience for the youth of the Valley of the Sun in the future. Sincerely, David D. Gonsalves Principal notre dame preparatory high school • annual report 2008-09 3 Dear Friends and Families of Notre Dame Preparatory, Notre Dame Preparatory is a community of which we can all be very proud. In the seven years that the school has been open, its growth and success are nothing short of phenomenal. The achievements of our students are tremendous in every area, including academic, athletic, and community involvement. The vast majority of our students continue their education after leaving Notre Dame Preparatory with most of them going on to four-year colleges and universities. They have been accepted at the most prestigious institutions in the country, including Ivy League schools and military academies. Our student-athletes are among the very best in high school sports anywhere in the country. They excel not only on the playing field, but in the classroom as well. Many have been awarded athletic scholarships and have become success stories at colleges and universities around the country. The development of our students’ creative talents is another important aspect of the Notre Dame experience. A group of parents and teachers who are dedicated to supporting the school’s visual and performing arts programs founded the NDP Arts Angels in 2007. Artistic highlights of the 2008-2009 school year included an exhibition of NDP students’ art at the Phoenix Art Museum, 15 awards for The Seraphim school newspaper from the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association, the growth of Perspective literary magazine, and numerous performances by the NDP drama department, show choir, and jazz band, which qualified for its first state competition Notre Dame Preparatory continues its strong commitment to community involvement as evidenced by our rigorous community service standards required of each student. Notre Dame students have donated thousands of hours over the past year serving the poor, the forgotten, and those in need. During the 2008-2009 school year, we have made strides in improving our communication with Notre Dame Preparatory families and friends. Thanks to advisory board member Jim Zeumer we have a new and improved Web site. Jim, along with his committee, worked very hard on this project to bring you the most up-to-date information about Notre Dame Preparatory by simply clicking on our Web site. Notre Dame Preparatory also continues to e-mail each family the “Mind, Body and Soul” newsletter to keep you updated with school activities and news. Our faculty continues to grow as our student body increases. Notre Dame Preparatory is committed to recruiting and retaining a top quality teaching staff. The teachers are held to high standards, and as evidenced by the success of our students, they are excelling at their jobs. The Notre Dame Preparatory School Advisory Board is committed to its directive to help make the school the very best experience it can be for Notre Dame families. Under the direction of Principal David Gonsalves, the school, in a very short amount of time, has become a remarkable success story. We continue our journey into the future with even more exciting projects to come. Much work remains to be done. But at the end of each school day Notre Dame Preparatory’s goal can be summed up very simply. We are here to teach our students Reverence, Respect, and Responsibility. Sincerely, Beth McDonald President, Notre Dame Preparatory School Board 4 notre dame preparatory high school • annual report 2008-09 A Legacy of Success... At the core of We continued to prove in our seventh year that our students courageously accept the challenge to live a successful and exemplary life by striving to attain their personal best.