On the basis of elementary/middle school achievement, teacher recommendations, personal interview and entrance exam scores, 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.
Students are invited to apply to join the Class of 2029 Distinguished Scholars Program. Click here to apply online. Applications are due no later than 2:30 p.m. on November 15, 2024.
The Distinguished Scholars Curriculum follows this general outline (all High Honors courses):
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FIRST YEAR
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SECOND YEAR
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THIRD YEAR
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FOURTH YEAR
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THEOLOGY: Introduction to Catholicism and to
the Old Testament
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THEOLOGY: Jesus Christ: Our Salvation; Jesus and the Church
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THEOLOGY:
Meeting Jesus in the Sacraments and Our Life in Christ
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THEOLOGY:
Church History and World Religions
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ENGLISH: Introduction to Literacy and Genres
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ENGLISH:
AP British Literature
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ENGLISH: American Literature
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ENGLISH:
AP Humanities or English 4 ECE (UConn credit)
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MATHEMATICS*
Algebra 1 or Geometry
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MATHEMATICS:
Geometry or
Algebra 2/Trig
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MATHEMATICS:
Algebra 2/Trig or Analysis
(Pre-Calculus)
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MATHEMATICS:
Analysis or AP Calculus
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HISTORY: Introduction to World Civilization
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TECHNOLOGY: Introduction to Graphic Design or Arts Elective
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HISTORY:
AP American History
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HISTORY:
AP American Government
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MODERN LANGUAGE*
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MODERN LANGUAGE
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MODERN LANGUAGE
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MODERN LANGUAGE
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LAB SCIENCE: Biology
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LAB SCIENCE: Chemistry
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LAB SCIENCE: Physics
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SCIENCE:
AP Environmental Science
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ELECTIVE
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LATIN I
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2 Arts ELECTIVES OR 1 Arts ELECTIVE AND 1 Semester Indep. Study
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1 FULL YEAR or 2 SEMESTERS of ELECTIVES (courses for credit)
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SENIOR EXPERIENCE
(required)
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∗ Placement in MATHEMATICS and MODERN LANGUAGE courses is determined by the student’s previous study in elementary/middle school.