Notre Dame High School will now be called Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University and the Diocese of Bridgeport completed the sale of Notre Dame Catholic High School to the University on July 1. The two institutions have a long history of cooperation and partnership and are looking forward to strengthening that relationship as a new school year begins. Notre Dame will now be called Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University.
“It was important that we keep Notre Dame’s identity and spirit while also acknowledging the new relationship with Sacred Heart,” said SHU President John J. Petillo.
“We are excited to welcome Notre Dame’s students, faculty, staff and alumni to the SHU family. We look forward to maximizing resources, making improvements and creating new and exciting opportunities for students at both Notre Dame and SHU. We welcome this chance to ensure that students at both institutions continue to receive a top-level Catholic education that will prepare them for the future,” Petillo continued. “I look forward to watching how this unfolds.”
“I am thrilled about the opportunities this new relationship with Sacred Heart will provide to our school community,” said Chris Cipriano, principal of Notre Dame. “As we build upon our existing partnership, I see tremendous opportunities for our staff and—most importantly—our students. I believe some of our best days truly lie ahead.”
Cipriano is also delighted to share that Notre Dame has been named an International Baccalaureate School and is one of only a handful of high schools in Connecticut with that designation. The International Baccalaureate is a global leader in international education—developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident and caring young people. Its programs empower school-aged students to take ownership in their own learning and helps them develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a world that changes quickly, the program states.
“I am very proud of our students, faculty and staff for their hard work and commitment to social justice. This is not an easy designation to earn,” Cipriano said.
The previous partnership between the two institutions included sharing facilities, such as athletics fields, SHU’s library and Chapel of the Holy Spirit, parking lot space at Notre Dame and more. SHU also has, for many years, offered a 50% tuition scholarship to Notre Dame students who are accepted to the University. A great many Notre Dame students have gone on to receive degrees from Sacred Heart. Since 2018, approximately 20% of each Notre Dame graduating class has gone on to study at SHU.
“We anticipate great work from this collaboration between the high school and University and look forward to a rewarding experience for Notre Dame students as they become a part of this strong Catholic University,” said Bridgeport Diocese Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. “The relationship between Notre Dame and Sacred Heart is deeply rooted in the faith, generosity and aspiration of the people of our diocese. The benefits that Sacred Heart University can bring to students and their families will be enormous.”
Petillo noted that Sacred Heart would invest at least $5 million in the school and property over the next two years. This could include physical improvements, building infrastructure, technology upgrades and updated athletic facilities.
“We are two Catholic institutions that share a common mission and vision. I’m looking forward to working even more collaboratively and strengthening the long-standing academic and community relationship between our two schools,” Petillo said. “Adding a successful high school like Notre Dame to our portfolio is a natural expansion of our brand and our commitment to Catholic education and to the local community. We want to ensure that Notre Dame Prep is part of the community for many years to come.”