GLOBAL THINKING. CATHOLIC VALUES. EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE.

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October 28, 2025

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Notre Dame Prep pairs the International Baccalaureate with a faith‑community ethos, guiding students as they grow in spirituality within a school environment strong in its Catholic and Marist identity.

 

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Find out more about Notre Dame Prep and its IB continuum on Feb. 1 when we host a Middle School Open House, noon to 2 p.m. More info at ndprep.org/admissions/visit-notre-dame

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At Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac, the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program for students in the earliest years through high school isn’t simply a mark of distinction — it’s the backbone of an integrated, values‑rich K‑12 experience that prepares students not just for college, but for lives of thoughtful leadership in a rapidly changing world.

A distinctive K‑12 pathway

Offering a seamless IB continuum from PreK through grade 12, the school is the first Catholic Pre‑K‑12 International Baccalaureate School in the U.S. and the only Catholic school in Michigan offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate.

That means: Primary Years Program (PYP) for PreK‑5, Middle Years Program (MYP) for grades 6‑10, and Diploma Program (DP) for grades 11‑12. This kind of full continuum — PYP, MYP and DP — also positions NDP among very few Catholic schools in the U.S. achieving this authorization.

For families seeking a Catholic education within a global academic framework, that’s a true differentiator.

Why the IB at Notre Dame Prep matters

The IB mission states that it aims “to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” At NDP, that innovative IB curriculum is cross‑disciplinary and driven by inquiry‑driven teaching and learning.

At every grade level, three key strengths define IB learning: thinking critically and analytically, focusing globally, and putting ideas in action.”

As NDP Head of School Andrew Guest notes: “Our IB students consistently show a level of commitment that is inspiring. The way they approach every year, every class — with grit, integrity and passion — is a testament to their character and to the kind of scholars and citizens we aim to form at NDP.”

Grounded also in Catholic and Marist values, NDP pairs that global, inquiry‑driven curriculum with a faith‑community ethos, guiding students “as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity.”

For IB‑DP coordinator Katrina Sagert, it is clear that students who complete Notre Dame Prep’s full IB experience emerge not just college ready, “but grounded in empathy, social responsibility and a broader worldview.”

Student and faculty voices

Alumnus Thomas Belej NDP’23 currently is studying at Northwestern University. He agrees with his former IB-DP coordinator and adds that for him NDP’s IB program was a game-changer when he transitioned to college.

“A wonderful effect of IB was teaching me how to think differently, write clearly and manage long-term projects,” he said. “I have enjoyed a clear advantage over my classmates in college.”

NDP classmate Luke Hogan, now at the University of Michigan, added: “IB taught me the time-management skills I still use today and allowed me to develop strong communication skills … IB also forced me to look at things on a broader, more empathic level, and courses like IB English, IB Theory of Knowledge and IB History allowed me to look at the bigger picture.”

Sagert praised students’ work ethic: “What makes every group of IB kids so special is not just the scores, but the dedication they show every single day. They lean into challenges, push themselves academically and support one another through an intense and often grueling program.”

Longtime English instructor Kyle Lilek, who teaches IB Theory of Knowledge, told graduating IB students last spring that, “the University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, Michigan State, Villanova, Purdue and many more universities have no idea what they’re in for with all of you. The awareness of yourself, the humility to listen and learn, but also the confidence to assert your ideas — you’ll be shocked at how rare those gifts are among your fellow students in college.”

Benefits of the IB continuum that families should know

• Built‑in rigor and readiness for college: The IB continuum at NDP is designed to develop students who are not merely content recipients but critical thinkers and self‑managers. From the DP alumni testimony to internal coordinator reflections, the message is clear: IB graduates enter college with a competitive edge. For example, IB Diploma holders are “38% more likely to graduate from a university with a degree than other students in higher‑education institutions.”

• Broad, global curriculum for all levels: Unlike many schools where advanced programs begin only in high school, NDP’s use of the PYP and MYP means global‑minded, inquiry‑based learning begins in early childhood and continues through grade 12.

• Value‑based, faith‑grounded education: The combination of the school’s Catholic mission with an international curriculum is rare. The school intentionally chooses IB because it supports the development of the whole person — intellectual, moral and spiritual.

• College and life skills beyond content: Students routinely cite growth in writing, research, time‑management, long‑term project organization and ability to navigate ambiguity — all essential in higher education and beyond.

• A distinctive differentiator in Michigan: For families seeking a Catholic school with a global outlook and continuous IB experience from PreK to grade 12, NDP stands alone in the state — and among only a few in the nation.

How it works in practice at NDP

In NDP’s lower school (PYP), students are encouraged to see themselves as agents of their own learning, with the curriculum built around themes, inquiry and community engagement. In the Middle School Program (MYP), the framework broadens into eight subject‑groups, more transdisciplinary projects and deeper global context.

The school emphasizes that it “provides an educational framework based on what is currently known about how students learn and draw upon best practices for teaching and learning.” In the upper school, juniors and seniors may opt for the full Diploma (DP) (six courses plus core components) or select individual IB classes.

The DP extends the inquiry model into rigorous content, research (extended essay), theory of knowledge and creativity‑action‑service.

But it’s not all nose-to-the-grindstone academics either.

In the arts, for example, NDP’s visual arts students in the DP track have produced award‑winning work and have gained admission to some of the most elite art colleges around the nation, underscoring that IB isn’t just about academics in isolation, it’s part of a rich and balanced education.

Throughout the program, the community culture emphasizes supportive collaboration: students in the DP cohort develop strong peer networks, trust with faculty and the confidence that they are ready for what comes next.

Why families seeking a “whole child” education should take notice

In an era of complex educational choices, NDP’s IB continuum offers a rare blend of academic rigor, moral formation and global awareness. The IB credential is internationally recognized by universities and employers, while NDP’s Catholic and Marist identity anchors that global perspective in compassion and service.

From PreK onward, students build habits of inquiry, reflection and action — not just rote memorization. The continuity from PYP to MYP to DP ensures steady growth rather than a late “advanced track.” As Michigan’s only Catholic school offering all three IB programs, NDP provides families a one-of-a-kind opportunity.

A core expression of Catholic and Marist commitment

In a connected and complex world, education must transcend narrow disciplines and prepare students to think, act and lead with purpose. At Notre Dame Prep, the International Baccalaureate is not an addition but a core expression of the school’s mission to form scholars and servant-leaders.

Arianna Reid NDP’23, now at Michigan State University, said that the unique academic program she experienced in high school gave her an edge she noticed immediately when she matriculated to college.

“As of right now … I’m flying through my homework and I’m able to focus my time and energy on learning new things because I already have such a strong foundation,” she said. “IB taught me how to learn, not just what to know.”

 

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.