Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Notre Dame Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Notre Dame Academy

  • LocationDuluth, GA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades PK–12 · 305 students
  • CatholicAbout 66% Catholic
Official website

Notre Dame Academy in Duluth, Georgia is an independent Marist Catholic school serving Pre-K through grade 12, with an upper school for grades 9 to 12 that offers International Baccalaureate and AP courses. Its pages describe a monthly all-school Mass, monthly grade-level Masses, daily class and school prayer, two semesters of religion courses for each high school grade, and a service learning program for all students. The chaplain is Fr. David Musso, S.M., a Marist priest.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Notre Dame Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miDivino Niño Jesús Catholic Mission: 0.9 mi1Saint Benedict Catholic Church: 2.6 mi2Campus Ministry: 0.3 miNotre Dame Academy (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Divino Niño Jesús Catholic Mission — 0.9 mi · 4400 Abbotts Bridge Road, Duluth
  2. Saint Benedict Catholic Church — 2.6 mi · 11045 Parsons Road, Duluth

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The religious education page lists monthly school-wide celebrations of the Eucharist and monthly small grade-level Masses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We have daily class and school prayer as well as monthly school wide celebrations of the Eucharist, monthly small grade level masses, and other religious celebrations throughout the year.”
      The school holds monthly school-wide Eucharist celebrations and monthly small grade-level Masses, with daily class and school prayer.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. David Musso, S.M., a Marist priest, is named as the school's chaplain. The directory cited is the 2025-2026 edition, the newest the school lists.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Leadership | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/about-us/leadership · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. David Musso is a Marist priest, and has served as Chaplain for Notre Dame Academy since 2006.”
      Fr. David Musso, a Marist priest, has served as the school's chaplain since 2006.
    2. Faculty & Staff Directory | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/about-us/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. David Musso, S.M.”
      Fr. David Musso, S.M. is listed as Chaplain, with a school email and phone.
ATheology and curriculum: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and curriculum

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Full-year equivalents, computed as semesters divided by two: two semesters of religion are listed for each of grades 9, 10 and 11, and one grade 12 religion course is listed (its content is still described as to come). The pages describe a faith dimension in every grade level.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “9th Grade Fall Semester – Christian Essentials”
      A religion course is listed for the fall semester of grade 9.
      “9th Grade Spring Semester – Catholic Apologetics”
      A Catholic apologetics course is listed for the spring semester of grade 9.
      “10th Grade Spring Semester – Church History”
      A religion course is listed for the spring semester of grade 10.
      “11th Grade Spring Semester – Morality & Ethics”
      A religion course is listed for the spring semester of grade 11.
      “12th Grade – Catholic Social Teaching and Creativity, Activity & Service”
      A religion course is listed for grade 12.
      “Every grade level includes a faith dimension (personal faith and Catholic teachings) in addition to a literary/historical dimension”
      Every grade level includes a faith dimension in its religion program.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (Philosophy & Human Nature, Catholic Apologetics and Morality & Ethics are listed courses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “11th Grade Fall Semester – Philosophy & Human Nature”
      A philosophy course is listed for the fall semester of grade 11.
      “9th Grade Spring Semester – Catholic Apologetics”
      A Catholic apologetics course is listed for the spring semester of grade 9.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Yes (The mission statement says the goal is to integrate the teachings of the Gospel within academic content, and the religious education page says service projects are integrated with the rest of the curriculum.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mission | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/about-us/mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “the goal of Notre Dame Academy is to integrate the teachings of the Gospel within the context of academic content.”
      The mission states that the Gospel is to be integrated with academic content.
    2. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students also participate in grade level and school wide service learning projects which are all integrated with the rest of the curriculum.”
      All students take part in grade-level and school-wide service learning projects integrated with the curriculum.
BCampus culture: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Campus culture

78 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    RetreatsRetreats for some grades (The mission statement says religious retreats are held in the higher grade levels.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mission | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/about-us/mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily prayer and community Mass are available to all students and families, along with religious retreats in the higher grade levels.”
      Religious retreats are held in the higher grade levels.
    2. Upper School | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/academics/upper-school · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Retreat Program”
      The Upper School lists a Retreat Program.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two professional campus ministry staff are named: a chaplain (Fr. David Musso, S.M.) and a Director of Campus Ministry (Julie Pack).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Leadership | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/about-us/leadership · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. David Musso is a Marist priest, and has served as Chaplain for Notre Dame Academy since 2006.”
      Fr. David Musso, a Marist priest, has served as the school's chaplain since 2006.
      “Julie Pack Director of Campus Ministry”
      Julie Pack is the Director of Campus Ministry.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (The Notre Dame Singers, a student ensemble for grades 6 to 12 that serves at All-School Masses, is the only student group with a stated faith purpose.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Extracurricular Activities | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/campus-life/extracurricularactivities · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “This ensemble is an extra-curricular group of musicians, 6–12th Grade, who seek to serve the Lord with their talents.”
      The Notre Dame Singers are a student ensemble that seeks to serve the Lord with its talents.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Daily class and school prayer is listed in the religious education program.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We have daily class and school prayer as well as monthly school wide celebrations of the Eucharist, monthly small grade level masses, and other religious celebrations throughout the year.”
      The school holds monthly school-wide Eucharist celebrations and monthly small grade-level Masses, with daily class and school prayer.
AService and Catholic social teaching: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

85 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (All students take part in service learning projects. Required service not counted in hours is recorded as some.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students also participate in grade level and school wide service learning projects which are all integrated with the rest of the curriculum.”
      All students take part in grade-level and school-wide service learning projects integrated with the curriculum.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Catholic social teaching is covered in the 11th grade Morality & Ethics course and in the 12th grade course title.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Finally, we will close with an overview of Catholic Social Teaching, which helps us put our personal morality into action for society as a whole.”
      The grade 11 Morality & Ethics course closes with an overview of Catholic social teaching.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (Pre-K through grade 12 donate baby items to A Beacon of Hope, a pregnancy crisis center, and the 11th grade course includes Theology of the Body and Life Issues.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Pre-K through 12th grade students donate baby items for A Beacon of Hope, a faith-based, non-denominational, pregnancy crisis center.”
      The whole school donates baby items to a pregnancy crisis center.
      “Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and Life Issues”
      The 11th grade course includes Theology of the Body and Life Issues.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Each year students study a societal problem and complete a service project; the school also runs food and clothing drives with local partner organizations.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each year, students pursue the study of a specific societal problem and then participate in a service project to address that need.”
      Each year students study a societal problem and complete a related service project.
      “Pre-K through 12th grade donate non-perishable food items twice a year”
      Students donate food twice a year to Hands of Christ, a local food bank.
      “Notre Dame Academy partners with SVDPS twice a year.”
      The school partners with the St. Vincent de Paul Society twice a year.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • A monthly all-school Mass and monthly grade-level Masses are part of the program, and a named Marist priest serves as chaplain.
    Sources (2)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We have daily class and school prayer as well as monthly school wide celebrations of the Eucharist, monthly small grade level masses, and other religious celebrations throughout the year.”
      The school holds monthly school-wide Eucharist celebrations and monthly small grade-level Masses, with daily class and school prayer.
    2. Leadership | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/about-us/leadership · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. David Musso is a Marist priest, and has served as Chaplain for Notre Dame Academy since 2006.”
      Fr. David Musso, a Marist priest, has served as the school's chaplain since 2006.
  • Two semesters of religion are listed for grades 9 to 11 and a grade 12 religion course is listed.
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “9th Grade Fall Semester – Christian Essentials”
      A religion course is listed for the fall semester of grade 9.
      “9th Grade Spring Semester – Catholic Apologetics”
      A Catholic apologetics course is listed for the spring semester of grade 9.
      “10th Grade Spring Semester – Church History”
      A religion course is listed for the spring semester of grade 10.
      “11th Grade Spring Semester – Morality & Ethics”
      A religion course is listed for the spring semester of grade 11.
      “12th Grade – Catholic Social Teaching and Creativity, Activity & Service”
      A religion course is listed for grade 12.
  • Catholic social teaching is covered in the grade 11 course, and apologetics courses are offered in grades 9 and 10.
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Finally, we will close with an overview of Catholic Social Teaching, which helps us put our personal morality into action for society as a whole.”
      The grade 11 Morality & Ethics course closes with an overview of Catholic social teaching.
      “9th Grade Spring Semester – Catholic Apologetics”
      A Catholic apologetics course is listed for the spring semester of grade 9.
  • Every student takes part in service learning, and the mission states that the Gospel is integrated with academic content.
    Sources (2)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students also participate in grade level and school wide service learning projects which are all integrated with the rest of the curriculum.”
      All students take part in grade-level and school-wide service learning projects integrated with the curriculum.
    2. Mission | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/about-us/mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “the goal of Notre Dame Academy is to integrate the teachings of the Gospel within the context of academic content.”
      The mission states that the Gospel is to be integrated with academic content.

Concerns

  • The pages describe Mass monthly.
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Education | ND Academyndacademy.org/spiritual-life/religious-education · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We have daily class and school prayer as well as monthly school wide celebrations of the Eucharist, monthly small grade level masses, and other religious celebrations throughout the year.”
      The school holds monthly school-wide Eucharist celebrations and monthly small grade-level Masses, with daily class and school prayer.
  • The only adoration listed is a volunteer sign-up for one Monday in May.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student and Family Organization | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/campus-life/student-and-family-organization · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Adoration – Monday, May 4th”
      A volunteer adoration sign-up is listed for a Monday in May.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry

  • Address: 4635 River Green Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: ndacademy.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

12 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 12 location not published

Faith formation 1

Clubs and groups 1

  • Notre Dame Singers
    Rehearses weekly; serves about once a month at All-School Masses
    Extracurricular ensemble for grades 6 to 12 that seeks to serve the Lord with its talents.
    ndacademy.org

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • All-school Mass
    Monthly
    School-wide celebration of the Eucharist, held monthly.
    ndacademy.org
  • Grade-level Masses
    Monthly
    Small Masses for each grade level, held monthly.
    ndacademy.org
  • Adoration volunteer hour
    Monday, May 4th (year not stated)
    Volunteers sign up for a 30-minute or one-hour adoration slot in the Blessed Sacrament.
    ndacademy.org

Retreats 1

Service 6

  • Service learning program
    Grade-level and school-wide service projects; each year students study a societal problem and complete a related service project.
    ndacademy.org, ndacademy.org
  • A Beacon of Hope baby-item drive
    Pre-K through grade 12 donate baby items to a faith-based, non-denominational pregnancy crisis center.
    ndacademy.org
  • Hands of Christ food drive
    Twice a year
    Pre-K through grade 12 donate non-perishable food to a local food bank.
    ndacademy.org
  • St. Vincent de Paul Society drives
    Partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Society twice a year, with clothing and food donations.
    ndacademy.org
  • Clyde's Kitchen service
    Small teams of 8th graders serve in the kitchen of a soup kitchen in Atlanta.
    ndacademy.org
  • Rainbow Village Fun Friday
    8 times a school year
    Upper School houses host activities for children in an afterschool care program.
    ndacademy.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Leadership | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/about-us/leadership · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Fr. David Musso is a Marist priest, and has served as Chaplain for Notre Dame Academy since 2006.”
    Fr. David Musso, a Marist priest, has served as the school's chaplain since 2006.
    “Julie Pack Director of Campus Ministry”
    Julie Pack is the Director of Campus Ministry.
  2. Contact & Directions | Notre Dame Academyndacademy.org/about-us/contact-and-directions · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “4635 River Green Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096”
    The school is at 4635 River Green Parkway, Duluth, Georgia.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. David Musso, S.M. (Chaplain) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
89 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.96%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.9.7 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Atlanta, GA
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)305
Students in grades 9–1294
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio9.7 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges96%
SettingSuburb

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Atlanta

The Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Atlanta

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: archatl.com, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Notre Dame Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Notre Dame Academy is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
What is Notre Dame Academy’s Compass Score?
88 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Notre Dame Academy Compass Recommended?
Yes. Notre Dame Academy meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in Georgia · Georgia rankings