Notre Dame Academy

4345 Del Mar Trails Road

San Diego, CA 92130

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 17, 2024

Fantastic school with accountable administrators, caring teachers, and strong academics. Families are very supportive of each other. We are so happy to have switched from our old school to Notre Dake Academy.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2023

Excellent school, great teachers. Good faith system. Kids are happy and learning great things here.
Submitted by other on June 02, 2023

The best education, teachers, training, facilities, and care. This is what an experienced school looks like.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2019

NDA is a great school. The teachers and administration care deeply about the children and there is a strong focus on learning as well as developing well rounded and kind citizens of the world. It is truly a special place and a fantastic school.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2019

NDA is a wonderful school where our son has been for 7 years and he will continue through 8th grade. The teachers love what they do and the entire staff builds relationships with the students. Our son feels at home and enjoys visiting his past teachers who will always love him. He has been challenged academically and we have watched his character grow as he is taught virtues and how to live as a truly good human being. Academics are very important to us, but more than that our hope is that our child will become a good and kind person. I have watched some parents pull their children from our school and move them from school to school- these are the parents who are leaving disgruntled reviews. NDA values ALL students and knows that everyone has their unique gifts and challenges. At NDA ALL students are loved- not just some. NDA prepares children for the world in teaching them that we need to love everyone even if they are different from us and that our goal is to be the best version of ourselves and this is not achieved by thinking we are better than everyone else. Notre Dame Academy encourages children to problem solve instead of running away from their problems.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2018

We love the school and the communities of families.
Submitted by other on May 21, 2018

We left last year. The parents were unpleasant and selfish. Our son was a threat as an athlete to some of the other boys and their dad-coaches harassed him for it. We are at a much better place and feel included and welcome.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2018

We are going to be leaving this school this year. We saw a wonderful family drummed out when they stood up to a very self-serving administration. Last year we had another family pull their son due to a monopoly of well-connected families that didn't like them. Extreme teacher turnover, two-faced administrators, cliquey insiders promoting their own agendas. Dirty little secret that any families have to enroll their children into tutoring courses as the curriculum doesn't prepare them for HS. Stay away from this school!!!
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2017

We have been very happy with the high level of education, spiritual development and welcoming families at Notre Dame Academy. Our 4th Grade son could attend the highest ranked public school in the county, but NDA is better! We know the school is educating the whole person, plus smaller class sizes. Our son scores very high on Star testing and we know NDA is a major part of his success.
Submitted by other on May 03, 2017

Great school! Small class sizes and wonderful teachers encourage development of students.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2017

My 3rd grade daughter has been attending NDA since Kindergarten, and we've had a great experience at the school. Academically, my daughter has done extremely well, and has scored well above average on the standardized (Renaissance STAR) exams. While teachers play a strong role, one has to remember that parent involvement plays an intricate role in the academic success of a child as well. We enjoy the social environment immensely, and have vacationed with other families on multiple occasions. The one area that needs improvement is the athletic program, but strong efforts are being made to help better the sports program.Overall, NDA is a great place to be!
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2017

Notre Dame Academy makes the mission of providing a strong Catholic education a reality. The children get a solid academic education in an active Catholic Christian culture for the students, the school community, and the parish. The daily school-wide convocation with prayers, hymns, and pledge of allegiance is a wholesome way to start the day. The weekly Friday Mass with the whole school in formal uniform and on their best behavior, led by the students, gives the school a tangible sense of being a close, supportive faith community. The monthly Eucharistic Adoration (even if only for a minute) after the Friday Mass for the whole school (amazingly even kindergarteners do participate in Eucharistic adoration) is a singular experience and practice of solemnity and reverence in a world that often does not understand the value of prayer and quiet presence. The leadership, active engagement in teaching, and spiritual presence of religious sisters in habits, is a special witness and blessing to students, who otherwise may never meet a religious sister in their lives outside of this school. Many of the students, religious sisters, teachers, priests and even the canine mascots of the school are also often seen at the parish's Sunday Mass, creating a vibrant continuous experience between the school and the church. These details are a window into what make NDA a uniquely faith-building Catholic Christian educational experience. My children receive a strong "regular education"; but furthermore, here at NDA, my children's growth in the Catholic faith is fostered in a blessed and effective way.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2017

Notre Dame Academy is the cream of the crop of Catholic Schools in San Diego. Why choose a Catholic School? My faith is the central part of my life. Having my children attend a Catholic School supports the idea that our faith should be integrated throughout all aspects of our lives. NDA incorporates Christ's teachings into all lessons over all subjects, prayer throughout the day, attending Mass together as a school on Fridays, celebrating holy days and feast days, and teaching social skills so that the children become aware that they should be striving to live out the gospel everyday. Another added bonus is that because many of the families are Catholic, we share similar moral values and because it is a preschool-8th campus, you are able to get to know the families so that when the time comes for sleep over parties, you know the parents! NDA also has such generous and supportive parents that the there are many luxuries that you don't find in public schools or other private schools. The children each have an ipad to use, the school has air conditioning and heating (sounds silly to list this, but I have many friends whose children don't have this at their schools), a well equipped science lab and music room, document cameras and sound systems in every classroom, and overall the campus is kept up with new everything from furniture to books. There are also many special area classes that the students have weekly, biweekly or everyday: music, technology, STEAM classes, PE, spanish, french and library. We have also been happy with this school academically. The teachers build relationships with the students and take the time to find out how they learn best. There is a Learning Resource Center where the director makes sure that the learning needs of the students are met and also offers in class support or pull out support. This is not something you usually find in a Catholic School because there is usually not enough funding, but as I wrote above, NDA is well funded. The teachers seem to realize that education is very important to the families- we wouldn't be investing so much if we didn't. The teachers go the extra mile to help the students who are struggling and also challenge the many students who are above grade level. Overall, we have been very happy at NDA and look forward to being a part of this school family for many years to come. The plan next is to follow many of the NDA graduates down the street to Cathedral Catholic for high school.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2016

I have a child at this school and it became very apparent to me during the first year that the school lacks integrity. We experienced a situation where two teachers provided our child with conflicting information and our child acted based on the direction of one of them. Rather than take responsibility for their mistake, they punished our child for a policy violation. To top this situation off, rather than punish the child for the initial thing they were blamed the school had to make an example of him and and accused him of something else. No apologies, just accuse him of something else. As a veteran who served many years and is now a successful business owner, I find this school's behaviour disrespectful and shameful and definitely not an example I want my child to follow.I personally have serious concerns about a Catholic school where integrity (doing the right thing) is not a pillar of child development.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2015

Our sons have attended Notre Dame Academy for 7 years. It is difficult for me to assess NDA as a "school" because it is much more than an educational facility. Academically there are many things that I love about the school. It emphasizes international languages with instruction beginning in Preschool (French or Spanish). Music and Art, Physical education, etc. are at the forefront of the curriculum. The whole child is what they strive for at NDA and character development is the most important. This involves praying, religious education...and forming a solid moral foundation in a healthy, loving environment. Not Catholic? No problem. They are respectful and sensitive to each child. Furthermore, the Sisters practice what they preach. They are caring, hard working and dedicated people. They put the child first, period. We are a military family and Dad has deployed a few times over the years. The NDA family truly looked out for us. Father Nick and the Sisters checked in on my little one who was in Kindergarten and had a rough time without Dad. More than that they gave him love and understanding...they know him. They know us. Other families at the school made us homecooked meals WEEKLY for the entire 7 1/2 months my husband was gone. I'm a working Mom...Moms schedule playdates with my kids on half days or when I needed coverage. I had caring, helpful people lend a willing hand time and time again. Does this mean I haven't liked things or been happy with certain things? Of course not but at NDA I have a voice. They are always striving to improve the school. Their work is never done. Sister has an open door policy and will hear your concerns...she may not agree with you but she will treat you with respect and communicate with you...like in a family. One Family, Always United!!!!
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2014

It is a great school for elementary years, however some spoilt children and families. A high teacher turnover rate. Academically ok. Not liberal
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2014

This school's academic standards are far below the public schools in the area. The administrative staff is unqualified and unprofessional, and don't seem to care about the many wonderful families who have left the school due to the low academic standards and old-fashioned teaching techniques employed at the school. While there are some decent teachers, they don't tend to stay. The families are nice enough, and if you want a "sorority" type atmosphere this school is for you. If you are looking for religious instruction, faith formation classes through St. Therese of Carmel would be more productive. Father Nick and his staff are the one bright spot at this school, but unfortunately they don't control the school. You would be better off saving your money and sending your child elsewhere! Check out St. Michael's if you want a quality Catholic education.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2014

We recently transferred out !st Grade and Kinder child here from another Catholic school and are very happy. Socially the students and parents are welcoming and the teachers relay go a step beyond to work with students and see they to their individual needs. The Sisters run a good ship here and the office staff is equally as loving. Academically, we are very happy as our children are doing well in all subjects, given accelerated math when needed, studying and speaking Spanish, French etc. Compared to other children his age is private and public schools our son reads at a far superior level and our daughter is as well. The children are studying technology, computers, social studies, current events etc in 1st Grade! They have a parent mentoring program in K which tasks children to have a parent reading partner in school so they are reading aloud every day. The school is strong in faith values as well. Homerun!
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2014

The education system at this school is sorely lacking, my son who transferred In from a public school has not had to study for one year. The teachers are insane and they waste 4 hours a week on useless classes. The only good teacher here left after one year.
Submitted by other on January 31, 2014

I am very proud to say here why we value our school. We've seen meaningful changes occur over a period of 3+ years. Some changes benefit students & student life: consistently upgraded technology, enhanced campus facilities & most importantly an uplifting of school spirit (increased participation in intramural sports & after-school activities, for example). Some changes benefit staff & teachers to help them grow in their vocations & community. Most of these changes, at any given private school, are successful when there are enough resources: planning, financial support and time. We have seen these resources at work to grow our school. This growth is something that tuition alone does not cover! An important fact to consider when evaluating private schools. Whether or not a person is a Catholic, a student, parent, teacher or staff (or all of the above or none) our school represents an engaging campus, making consistent changes to benefit all of our children and also the broader community surrounding them with patience and talent.