MORE THAN ACCREDITATION. A COMMITMENT.

Share this article with a friend.

July 3, 2026

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

Notre Dame Prep begins ISACS reaccreditation process, reinforcing commitment to continuous improvement.

Every seven years, Notre Dame Prep takes a comprehensive look at every aspect of school life to ensure it continues providing the exceptional Catholic, Marist education families have come to expect. This year, the school is entering an important phase of that journey as it continues its reaccreditation through the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

While accreditation is often viewed as a formal review, its greatest value lies in helping schools continuously improve. Through a rigorous self-study and peer review process, Notre Dame Prep examines every facet of the school—from academics and student life to board governance, operations and mission—to ensure it is delivering on its promise to students and families.

"Our commitment has always been to provide the very best educational experience for our students," said Head of School Andrew Guest. "The ISACS accreditation process gives us the opportunity to thoughtfully reflect on who we are, celebrate what we're doing well and identify ways we can continue to grow while remaining true to our Catholic and Marist mission."

NDP has been an accredited member of ISACS since the school's founding in 1994. Founded in 1908, ISACS is one of the nation's oldest and most respected accrediting organizations for independent schools, serving approximately 240 member schools throughout the Midwest, including Cranbrook Schools, Detroit Country Day School, Academy of the Sacred Heart and Greenhills School in Southeast Michigan.

ISACS accreditation verifies that schools meet more than 50 standards of excellence in areas including governance, teaching and learning, financial stewardship, admissions, school operations and mission effectiveness. It also requires schools to engage in a comprehensive school improvement process every seven years that includes broad participation from school leadership, faculty, trustees and key constituent groups.

“Schools must be who they purport to be. For example, you can’t say you are at the cutting edge of technology integration in the classroom but show no evidence of technological fluency,” Guest said. 

Notre Dame Prep is currently in the second year of its seven-year accreditation cycle. During this phase, the school is conducting a comprehensive self-study to evaluate its programs, policies and practices while identifying opportunities to strengthen the student experience.

One of the most important milestones this year will take place in late September, when parents, alumni, students in grades 6-12, faculty and staff will be invited to complete a confidential constituent survey. The survey will gather feedback on all aspects of school life and will become an important part of the school's self-study.

"We know that some of our best ideas come from listening to our community," Guest said. "This is a chance to engage in the self-improvement process of the school as we head into our next five-year strategic planning process.”

The accreditation process has already had a meaningful impact on student experience, Guest said. Combined with the school's strategic planning efforts, previous ISACS reviews have helped inform initiatives that families experience every day, including Simplified Tuition, Gateway Scholarships, Continuous Enrollment, the MyNotreDame Parent Hub, improvements to the admissions process, and the evolution and expansion of the counseling department at all three schools.

The self-study will continue throughout the next school year before culminating in a campus visit during the 2027-28 school year. A team of experienced educators and administrators from fellow ISACS schools across the Midwest will spend three days at Notre Dame Prep observing classrooms, meeting with students, parents, faculty, trustees and school leaders, and experiencing daily life on campus.

Following the visit, the peer review team will provide commendations recognizing the school's strengths along with recommendations designed to help guide future growth and innovation. NDP administrators then accept the recommendations and develop an action plan to implement them in subsequent years before the accreditation cycle starts over again.

In addition to its ISACS accreditation, Notre Dame Prep is also accredited by Cognia and is currently working with the Marists to develop a Marist accreditation process to ensure the school continues to uphold the educational philosophy and values of the Society of Mary.

As the reaccreditation process continues, Guest encourages members of the Notre Dame Prep community to participate in the September constituent survey.

"Accreditation isn't simply about earning a seal of approval," he said. "It's about asking how we can become an even better school for the students and families we serve. The voices of our community are an essential part of that journey.”

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.