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 apply for the DSP. The deadline for application is 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 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 Elective(s)
or 1 Arts Elective AND Half Year Independent 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.