Distinguished Scholars Program

DSP

On the basis of elementary/middle school achievement, teacher recommendations,  personal interview, and entrance exam score, a select number of first-year applicants will be invited to pursue their four-year high school education as Notre Dame Distinguished Scholars.  This High Honors Program is grounded in a challenging and diverse curriculum, featuring interdisciplinary inquiry, independent initiative, and a commitment to academic excellence. Studying and learning together in this small group, a community of scholarship and intellectual curiosity will be prepared, on a more advanced level, for future studies and opportunities in higher education. Distinguished Scholars are also eligible to participate in a two-week International Study Program in Oxford, UK in the summer following either their sophomore or junior years.  Students are invited to apply to join the Class of 2028 Distinguished Scholars Program. 

Click here to download the application. The deadline for application is November 17, 2023.

The Distinguished Scholars Curriculum follows this general outline (all High Honors courses):

FIRST-YEAR

SECOND-YEAR

THIRD-YEAR

FOURTH-YEAR

THEOLOGY:

Introduction to Catholicism and the Old Testament

     

THEOLOGY:

Jesus Christ: Our Salvation; Jesus and the Church

THEOLOGY: Meeting Jesus in the Sacraments and Our Life in Christ

THEOLOGY:

Church History and World Religions

ENGLISH: Introduction to Literacy and Genres

ENGLISH:

AP British Literature

ENGLISH: American Literature

ENGLISH:

AP Humanities or English 4 ECE (UConn credit)

MATHEMATICS*

Algebra 1 or Geometry

MATHEMATICS:

Geometry or

Algebra 2/Trig

MATHEMATICS:

Algebra 2/Trig or Analysis

(Pre-Calculus)

MATHEMATICS:

Analysis or AP Calculus

HISTORY: Introduction to World Civilization

TECHNOLOGY: Introduction to Graphic Design or Arts Elective

HISTORY:

AP American History

HISTORY:

AP American Government

MODERN LANGUAGE*

MODERN LANGUAGE

MODERN LANGUAGE

MODERN LANGUAGE

LAB SCIENCE: Biology

LAB SCIENCE: Chemistry

LAB SCIENCE: Physics

SCIENCE:

AP Environmental Science

ELECTIVE

LATIN I

2 Arts Elective(s) or 1 Arts Elective AND Half Year Independent Study

1 Full-Year or 2 Semesters of ELECTIVES (courses for credit)



 

SENIOR EXPERIENCE (required)

∗ Placement in MATHEMATICS and MODERN LANGUAGE courses is determined by the student’s previous study in elementary/middle school.