Opinion – Jane Kennedy Kleier: Empowering young women through a legacy of excellence

As an alumna of Notre Dame Academy (NDA) and now serving as Interim President/CCO, I have a deep appreciation for the impact of an NDA education. It was here that I discovered the power of education to transform lives and watched my daughters grow into confident, compassionate women.

Notre Dame Academy is more than just a high school. It’s a sisterhood, a community of lifelong friendships, and a springboard for young women to find their voices and change the world. As Northern Kentucky’s only all-girls Catholic school, we’ve been nurturing the potential of young women for 118 years, and I’m excited to share what makes NDA truly special.

At Notre Dame Academy, we cultivate an environment where young women can be unapologetically themselves. Here there is no hesitation when it comes to speaking your mind in class, leading a team or tackling challenging topics like engineering or calculus. The data reflects what we’ve known all along: graduates of all-girls schools are more engaged, more confident, and more likely to pursue higher education and leadership roles than their female student counterparts. Our students embrace every opportunity, whether in STEM, athletics, the arts or service, and they do it all with enthusiasm and dedication.

Academic excellence is not just a tradition at NDA; it is woven into the fabric of who we are. Just look at the numbers: The Class of 2024 achieved an impressive average ACT composite score of 24.9, which far exceeds state and national averages. Nearly half of our students met all four ACT college readiness benchmarks, compared to about 15% statewide. With 19 Advanced Placement courses and nine dual credit options, our rigorous curriculum ensures students are not only college-ready, but life-ready, prepared to meet any challenge with intelligence, grace, and resilience.

But an NDA education is about more than grades and test scores. It’s about developing the whole person: mind, body and spirit. Rooted in Catholic values, our mission is dedicated to Mary and committed to academic excellence.

We want to educate young women to make a difference in the world. Our students don’t just learn math and literature; they become compassionate leaders who embody the values ​​of the Gospel every day. The Class of 2024 alone completed more than 12,793 hours of community service, making a real impact on the lives of others. Service is at the heart of our mission, inspired by the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

At NDA, our commitment to faith is reflected in everything we do. Opportunities for spiritual growth abound, whether through Mass, retreats, Eucharistic adoration, or silent reflection in the chapel. These experiences shape young women into leaders who carry with them not only skills and knowledge, but also empathy, moral courage and a sense of purpose wherever they go.

The return on investment in an NDA education goes far beyond a college acceptance letter (although I am proud to share that 100% of the class of 2024 is college bound, with $18 million in scholarships on offer). It is about instilling confidence, preparing students for life’s challenges and inspiring them to live out our Catholic faith in all aspects of their lives. For 118 years, we’ve been preparing young women not just to succeed, but to lead, not just to achieve, but to inspire. That is why NDA is more than a school; it is a legacy of excellence.

As we look to the future, we are excited to expand opportunities for our students, including the launch of a state-of-the-art innovation space designed for innovation, discovery, education and learning, keeping NDA at the forefront. of STEM education.

With a flexible layout, cutting-edge technology and spaces dedicated to collaboration, making and presentation, this space will be a hub for fostering creativity and critical thinking. The lab supports interdisciplinary STEM courses, hands-on projects and even entrepreneurship programs where students can take their ideas from concept to prototype. This initiative aligns with our vision to empower young women to become transformational leaders who embrace God’s goodness in the world.

When considering what makes a school great, don’t limit your evaluation to test scores and college acceptance rates (although ours are certainly worth mentioning). Think of the stories, the friendships and the lifelong bonds that were created. Consider the ways NDA shapes young women to be their best selves: academically, spiritually, and personally. Here we prepare our students not only for the next step in their education, but also for the next step in life.

At Notre Dame Academy, we don’t just nurture prospective students; we nurture future leaders. We instill values ​​that will take our graduates far beyond the walls of our school, equipping them to bring compassion, intelligence and faith to a world that needs them more than ever. Our doors are open and we invite you to see for yourself how an NDA education can make a difference. Join our community of strong, smart, and spiritually grounded young women ready to make a difference.

Jane Kennedy Kleier is Interim President and Chief Communications Officer, Notre Dame Academy.