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Notre Dame High School: Notre Dame High School (West Haven) 2
Photo: MConradWard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

Notre Dame High School

  • LocationWest Haven, CT
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 471 students

All-male

Official website

Notre Dame High School in West Haven, Connecticut is a Catholic school in the Congregation of Holy Cross tradition. Its Campus Ministry states that all students complete a four-year religious studies curriculum, and school liturgies are held on Holy Days of Obligation and other feasts with the whole school taking part. Students pray together each morning in St. Br. Andre Chapel, and a weekend Spes Unica retreat is offered twice a year to all students. A Lent reconciliation service is held in the school.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Notre Dame High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miKorean Catholic Church: 1.3 mi1Saint Louis Church: 1.6 mi2Saint Anthony Roman Catholic Church: 1.8 mi3Saint Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church: 1.8 mi4Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel & Center at Yale University: 2.2 mi5Saint Brendens Roman Catholic Church: 2.3 mi6Notre Dame High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Korean Catholic Church — 1.3 mi
  2. Saint Louis Church — 1.6 mi
  3. Saint Anthony Roman Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 70 Washington Avenue, New Haven
  4. Saint Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 563 George Street, New Haven
  5. Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel & Center at Yale University — 2.2 mi · 268 Park Street, New Haven
  6. Saint Brendens Roman Catholic Church — 2.3 mi

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.

DSacramental life: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Sacramental life

46 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearA few times a year (School liturgies are said to be held on all Holy Days of Obligation and other important feasts, with the whole school participating.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “School liturgies are on all Roman Catholic Holy Days of Obligation and other important feasts of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The entire school participates in the liturgies and they involve students in all parts of the mass.”
      School liturgies are held on Holy Days of Obligation and other feasts, with the whole school participating.
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (Reconciliation is celebrated in the school during Lent.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is Celebrated in the School during Lent with a Reconciliation Service and several local priests that celebrate the sacrament with our students.”
      Confession is offered during Lent in a reconciliation service, with local priests celebrating the sacrament.
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are confirmed. The pages say several local priests celebrate the sacrament with students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “School liturgies are on all Roman Catholic Holy Days of Obligation and other important feasts of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The entire school participates in the liturgies and they involve students in all parts of the mass.”
      School liturgies are held on Holy Days of Obligation and other feasts, with the whole school participating.
      “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is Celebrated in the School during Lent with a Reconciliation Service and several local priests that celebrate the sacrament with our students.”
      Confession is offered during Lent in a reconciliation service, with local priests celebrating the sacrament.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

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

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (The Campus Ministry page says all students complete a four-year religious studies curriculum; the value is four full-year equivalents, taken in every grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students complete a four-year religious studies curriculum, to which Campus Ministry offers a reflective dimension.”
      All students take religious studies for four years.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot 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.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
ACampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The Spes Unica weekend retreat is open to all students and is offered twice a year (fall and spring).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Spes Unica retreat offers all students the opportunity to step out of their daily routines in order to spend focused time in prayer and reflection with Our Lord. This weekend long retreat is offer twice yearly, Fall and Spring.”
      The Spes Unica weekend retreat is open to all students and offered each fall and spring.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two campus ministers are listed in the faculty and staff directory.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/about/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Faith Formation Department Campus Ministry Vice President for Holy Cross Mission; Campus Minister; Chair, Faith Formation Department 203-937-3261”
      Michael Abbott is listed as Vice President for Holy Cross Mission and Campus Minister, with phone 203-937-3261.
      “Faith Formation Department Campus Ministry Faculty, Faith Formation Department, Campus Minister 203-937-3296”
      Michael Celentano is listed as a Campus Minister, with phone 203-937-3296.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Two faith-based student groups: the St. Br. Andre committee (prayer and liturgy) and the Liturgical Music club.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/student-life-at-nd · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Provide music for school liturgies and religious services. Develop musical talents while contributing to the spiritual life of the school community.”
      The Liturgical Music club provides music for school liturgies and religious services.
    2. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The St. Br. Andre committee is a committee of students that helps organize prayer and liturgies at Notre Dame.”
      A student committee helps organize prayer and liturgies.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Student-led prayer happens daily with the entire school, and a prayer service is held in the chapel each morning.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “School Prayer-Student lead prayer daily with the entire school daily. There is a prayer service in the St. Br. Andre Chapel each morning before our school day begins.”
      Students lead daily prayer with the school, and a prayer service is held in St. Br. Andre Chapel each morning.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

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.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Service projects are required in every year; the pages publish no total number of hours.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshmen students will complete their service projects within their Teacher Advisory Class.”
      Service projects are a required part of each year, but no total hours are published.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot 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.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Service trips are part of the NDXL experiential learning program, and the school partners with local organizations for service.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Signature Programs | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/academics/signature-programs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “International and Domestic Travel Courses, Workout Science, History of Rock N Roll, Field & Stream Outdoors, Sports Psych, Culinary Arts, Guitar Basics, Service Trips, and more!”
      Service trips are offered as part of the NDXL experiential learning program.
    2. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Notre Dame High School partners with a variety of local organizations to provide students with meaningful service opportunities that reflect our mission to form compassionate leaders and active citizens.”
      The school partners with local organizations to offer service opportunities.

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

Strengths

  • All students complete a four-year religious studies curriculum.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students complete a four-year religious studies curriculum, to which Campus Ministry offers a reflective dimension.”
      All students take religious studies for four years.
  • Student-led prayer happens daily with the whole school, and the Spes Unica retreat is open to all students.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “School Prayer-Student lead prayer daily with the entire school daily. There is a prayer service in the St. Br. Andre Chapel each morning before our school day begins.”
      Students lead daily prayer with the school, and a prayer service is held in St. Br. Andre Chapel each morning.
      “The Spes Unica retreat offers all students the opportunity to step out of their daily routines in order to spend focused time in prayer and reflection with Our Lord. This weekend long retreat is offer twice yearly, Fall and Spring.”
      The Spes Unica weekend retreat is open to all students and offered each fall and spring.
  • Two campus ministers are listed on the staff directory, and student groups help organize prayer and liturgy.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/about/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Faith Formation Department Campus Ministry Vice President for Holy Cross Mission; Campus Minister; Chair, Faith Formation Department 203-937-3261”
      Michael Abbott is listed as Vice President for Holy Cross Mission and Campus Minister, with phone 203-937-3261.
      “Faith Formation Department Campus Ministry Faculty, Faith Formation Department, Campus Minister 203-937-3296”
      Michael Celentano is listed as a Campus Minister, with phone 203-937-3296.
    2. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The St. Br. Andre committee is a committee of students that helps organize prayer and liturgies at Notre Dame.”
      A student committee helps organize prayer and liturgies.

Concerns

  • No published total of required service hours; service is required each year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshmen students will complete their service projects within their Teacher Advisory Class.”
      Service projects are a required part of each year, but no total hours are published.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Notre Dame High School

  • Address: One Notre Dame Way, West Haven, CT 06516
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel (St. Br. Andre Chapel)

Source: notredamehs.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, notredamehs.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, notredamehs.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 0 off campus, 3 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • St. Br. Andre CommitteeOn campus
    A student committee that helps organize prayer and liturgies and advises on spiritual life.
    notredamehs.com
  • Liturgical Music ClubOn campus
    Provides music for school liturgies and religious services.
    notredamehs.com
  • Morning prayer serviceOn campus
    Each morning before the school day
    A prayer service in St. Br. Andre Chapel, led by students with the entire school.
    notredamehs.com

Retreats 1

  • Spes Unica Retreat
    Fall and spring
    A weekend retreat open to all students for prayer and reflection, with an introduction to the Holy Cross mission.
    notredamehs.com

Service 2

  • Community service partnerships
    Service opportunities with local organizations such as food pantries, youth mentoring and community clean-up.
    notredamehs.com
  • NDXL service trips
    Service trips offered as part of the NDXL experiential learning program.
    notredamehs.com

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. Campus Ministry | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Campus Ministry at Notre Dame High School exists to support the spiritual growth and moral development of our school community in the Catholic faith.”
    Campus Ministry supports the spiritual life of the school community.
    “Campus Ministry at Notre Dame High School exists to support the spiritual growth and moral development of our school community in the Catholic faith.”
    Campus Ministry supports the spiritual life of the school community.
    “School Prayer-Student lead prayer daily with the entire school daily. There is a prayer service in the St. Br. Andre Chapel each morning before our school day begins.”
    Students lead daily prayer with the school, and a prayer service is held in St. Br. Andre Chapel each morning.
  2. Contact Us | Notre Dame High Schoolnotredamehs.com/about/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Notre Dame High School One Notre Dame Way, West Haven, CT 06516 203.933.1673”
    The school's address is One Notre Dame Way, West Haven, CT 06516.

Reach out

Contact details for Michael Abbott (Vice President for Holy Cross Mission; Campus Minister) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
88 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.98%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.11.9 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 Hartford, CT
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)471
Students in grades 9–12471
Coed or single-sexAll-male
Student–teacher ratio11.9 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges98%
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 Hartford

The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: archdioceseofhartford.org, archdioceseofhartford.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Notre Dame High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Notre Dame High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

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