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Notre Dame Education > Vision and Principles

 

The Sisters of Notre Dame have founded and administered over twenty schools in California. Guided by their Educational Vision and Principles, they continue to work in parish schools and operate four independent Catholic schools in Southern California.

Educational Vision and Principles of the Sisters of Notre Dame

The Educational Vision of the Sisters of Notre Dame

Impelled by Jesus Christ and his mission

and our rich educational heritage,

we provide a Catholic-Christian environment

of educational excellence

for the transformation of individuals and society.

We form persons who are skilled and committed

to journey together in hope

as witnesses and catalysts

for the responsible care of all God’s creation

and for justice and peace,

especially for those on the margins of society.

Principle One

The Centrality of a Good and Provident God

1. We are grounded in the Word of God and share this source of light and strength.
2. We cultivate a sense of the sacred and search for transcendence that leads to a deeper meaning in life.
3. We integrate the teachings and values of Jesus in all aspects of our educational ministry.
4. We provide religious and moral education to develop an integrated spirituality for global citizenship.
5. We initiate and deepen faith formation of Christian through a variety of specific programs and experiences.
6. We promote a spirit of dialogue with diverse cultures and religious and are open to mutual enrichment.
7. We live a simple Gospel life-style and educate for solidarity so that all might enjoy the blessings of the earth.
8. We commit ourselves through selfless serving to be bearers of hope in a world of need.

Principle Two

The Human Dignity of Each Person as an Image of God

1. We appreciate, respect, and reverence the uniqueness of each individual and diversity among all persons.
2. We actively support a holistic education which encourages a positive sense of self-worth and the full development of the person.
3. We reverence the image of God in each person we encounter through respectful listening and availability.
4. We create a welcoming atmosphere that builds relationships leading to unity and community.
5. We provide opportunities and environments to help persons to claim and regain their human dignity, identity and self-worth.

Principle Three

The Notre Dame Educator as a Gospel Witness

1. We follow Jesus, our Master Teacher, and give witness to his spirit of compassion, hope and joy, especially to those who experience poverty in its various forms.
2. We nurture the Notre Dame charism, spirit and mission among ourselves as educators and among all with whom we work.
3. We reverence Mary, the Woman of Hope, who made visible the glad tidings of the Gospel.
4. We share the rich spiritual and educational heritage of the Sisters of Notre Dame by using opportunities for ongoing formation and professional growth.
5. We promote collaborative programs and processes to assure the continuity of the excellence of Notre Dame education through our commitment, competence and dedication.
6. We affirm that goodness supported by firmness is a characteristic mark of our educational heritage.
7. We create clean, orderly and attractive surroundings in order to provide a safe environment conducive to learning and respectful of all.

Principle Four

An Integrated Education for Transformation

1. We ensure a thoroughness of instruction that is rooted in Gospel values, the Social Teachings of the Church and an understanding of complex world realities.
2. We provide an integrated education that leads people to a fully human life in relation to themselves, God, others and all creation.
3. We create the environment to develop value-based leadership skills and the ethical use of communications media and technology.
4. We form students to be reflective critical thinkers and life-long learners who have the determination to influence systemic and structural change.
5. We nurture in ourselves and others an ongoing commitment to act with preferential care and love on behalf of those who are poor and marginalized, especially women and children.
6. We transform our institutions to be centers of non-violence, compassion and justice, and give personal and corporate witness to peace-building and the responsible care of creation.