Notre Dame Preparatory

9701 East Bell Road

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

33 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 21, 2024

This school is actually so toxic. My kid is trans and went here for academics, and every mass day was hell. The kids are ferocious, and some comments weren’t even about him being in a skirt. There is NO bully policy and most kids are bratty and entitled.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2024

Not a safe learning environment....especially for girls. Not sure how the admittance process works at ND but the same kids who were bullies in middle school seem to be be welcomed with open arms and little restraint at ND. Parents are no better. Reached out to a mom of one of the kids who was harassing my daughter and her response was "sounds like a you problem". Anyway, most of the kids end up at ASU anyway so not sure what you are getting except a bunch of DC Ranch and North Scottsdale brats that prey (not pray) on self-esteem issues.
Submitted by other on May 26, 2023

Notre Dame provides a healthy, safe environment where students feel that they are supported and challenged to take risks and try new things. As a recent graduate and sibling to past graduate, I have had the pleasure of being around the Notre Dame community for the past 8 years, and I have had a great experience. The classes and teachers are stimulating and challenging, the campus is clean and modern, and the students and staff are kind and welcoming. I also enjoyed the religious aspect of the school which allowed us to learn about many religions, not just Catholicism, and come to our own conclusions. The school also has a great athletic department along with an exceptional arts program in the newly built performing arts center. I would be happy to recommend Notre Dame to anyone searching for a great high school in Arizona.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2022

On paper NDP is fantastic. It reality, it is awful. The staff turnover is incredibly high. Last year alone, we had the athletic director, varsity soccer coach, varsity pom coach, and dean of men leave mid-year. The student turnover is just as bad. The new principal, Mr. Sweeney, is a joke. Things were much better when Jill Platt was the Principal. NDP is an overpriced, average school that inflates grades to keep parents happy.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2022

i'm literally traumatized by this school. i lost so much confidence and gained many insecurities by the bratty girls judging me whenever i spoke and talked to them. keep in mind, i was only attending this school for a year. many people have left since i started because no one likes being surrounded by rich, materialistic teenagers. keeping up with your grades at this school is impossible too because the teachers are NOT GOOD. don't be fooled by the kids' fake smiles on their website and instagram. a majority of these kids dread going to school each day and getting referrals on their permanent records for not tucking in their shirt. the counselors are rude, and not there for the right purposes. do you really want your kids being told the pandemic is because of the asians? save your yourself and your mental state.
Submitted by student on January 25, 2022

Not a safe place students fight and gang up on kids who are different and no one protects them There is NO Bully policy even if uou search their website for the word “bully” you’ll find nothing because they don’t care who is harmed in anyway there.. It’s made the lives of young male students living hell because they can’t be gay out loud. Suicide is talked about amongst these kids they are so fearful to be themselves .. it’s toxic
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2022

This school is operated by a system that is so toxic as a parent I was retaliated via email by their senior leadership for providing an honest statement about the horrible experience our family had there. The message was sent to intimidate in fact the verbiage included a statement of “how much they had done for us … “ all in all we paid tuition just like everyone else, we left because of hazing, bullying without any oversight. It works for some families clearly, it’s an “elite mindset” not appropriate for education. Just when you’ve paid tuition save up for all the red carpet fundraising for heaven knows what…
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2021

We left NDP last year because of the bullying and lack of support for our student. I got the notice that the school was having its second annual run focused on teens helping teens with mental health issues such as suicide prevention, depression and anxiety. This is such a joke. NDP does NOT support students with mental health issues. The administration minimizes reports from doctors and specialists, teachers who are informed of them tell the students they don’t believe in the diagnoses and them them to stop pretending and making excuses. Other students pretend to be supportive at rallies and in front of their parents and teachers and then ridicule, bully and shun them socially and in front of other students. And teachers turn a blind eye or say that such-and-such donor’s precious darling would never do such a thing. Do NOT send your child here if they have any learning issues, dyslexia, ADHD, depression or anxiety. You will regret it like we did. Public schools have the support your child will need. Not NDP.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2018

We are glad the senior year is here. My son has been able to come out of this tougher stronger and great human being. If he hadn't been helped by a few key teachers it could have been a disaster. CHOOSE NDP CAREFULLY; ITS NOT FOR EVERY KID. I DIDN'T CHOOSE THIS SCHOOL MY EX-WIFE DID AND WE (MY SON AND I) HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE AFTER EFFECTS.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2018

This school is NOT a Catholic centered school. It definitely is not diverse either. It is primarily a rich, white, population of spoiled kids. There is a big drug and alcohol problem, as well as a lot of bullying that goes on. It's out of control. There are some good teachers, but for the price that you pay, you are not getting your money's worth. You are better off sending your child to a Charter School or really finding the right public school for your child. Notre Dame favors the "rich and famous" and there are plenty there. If you are one of them, your kid will get away with everything. And that is the honest truth.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2017

We are a month in a NDP and i feel the need to warn all prospective parents.... THIS IS NOT A CATHOLIC SCHOOL! This is a private school that caters to North Scottsdale wealthy families that don't want to continue their public education. I always wondered why friends who sent their kids to Brophy or Xavier smirked when I said mine was going to NDP, now I know. Bullying is rampant and if your kid is not a super jock, good luck. The culture caters to the athletically inclined and the drug testing is a JOKE. All of these kids are vaping, drinking, drugging. They just know how to buck the system. I'm BEYOND disappointed and will share it with the world.
Submitted by other on February 14, 2017

The review from January is completely true. I'm a teacher at this school. I would never send a child of mine here.
Submitted by other on January 13, 2017

Drugs are rampant at this school. Their random drug tests are a joke. NDP is a public school you pay tuition for. I was really hoping it would be a great school. Very disappointed and no longer attend. No phone call from principal, VP, dean or priest. Save your money, and child, and stay far far away!
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2016

We chose NDP over Brophy, Chap, and Scottsdale Prep. After careful consideration, we chose the school best suited for our son. Students at NDP can challenge themselves academically by taking advanced honor-level academic courses. Plus, even though NDP has only 900 students, it plays up and competes in the second highest tier of AIA sports (now 5A, competing against South Mountain, Paradise Valley, and Sunnyslope). Our son loves it and is very happy!
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2016

This is a case of great school gone very bad. New principal is beyond awful. Does not know the 1st thing about leadership.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2016

This use to be a great school. Developed students, made them grow. The new principal is terrible. He's chased away many of the good teachers. They try to catch the kids doing things wrong. So sad. Save your money. Hopefully, you'll see changes in leadership than can right the couse of this once great school!
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2016

Notre Dame is hit or miss. Some great teachers, some awful teachers. The bigger issue for us has been the students. The school is full of cliques, with some truly cruel students in leadership positions. If there are issues, the teachers and administration react by blaming and shaming the victims (telling them to try harder to be part of the cliques). Most parents, teachers and administration do not model caring, inclusive behavior. Also, how much money you donate directly impacts whether your student will get the classes they want and attention from the administration. Not a really bad school, but a disappointment for our family and our children.
Submitted by teacher on January 14, 2016

NDP really is a community and family for the students and parents. A great choice in education!
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2016

Good school. Great kids come out of this great community in N. Scottsdale. It is a newer school.
Submitted by other on November 09, 2015

If you want your child to be successful in life and academically competitive enough to get them into a school other than Scottsdale Community College, do not send them to NDP. Kids are nearby charter schools are 5 years ahead in math of NDP kids. Meaning, your NDP high school senior is doing 7th and 8th grade math. May as well send them to a public school and save your money.