Athletics in the Middle Level focuses on skill-building, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. NDP sports teams aim to enable students to build on an existing experience or explore a new athletic interest. Sometimes teams, such as basketball, have a limited number of players they can take. NDP offers interscholastic competition in cross country, field hockey, soccer, and volleyball in the fall; basketball and soccer in the winter; and badminton, lacrosse, softball, and tennis in the spring.
Performing & Visual Arts
The Performing Arts Program at NDP includes electives with the Chorus; Band, Orchestra and Piano Lab; and Dance. In addition, Middle Level students can explore and celebrate their inner performer through the annual Middle Level Musical, in which students assume all performance and stage-crew roles. As an extra-curricular activity, students may perform in the Dance Company, which performs annually and participates in area competitions. All Middle Level students participate in the visual art program two days a week. On Arts Night when all visual artwork is on display, the Middle Level explodes with beauty. Also, that evening, parents and friends enjoy a concert featuring NDP Middle Level musicians and dancers.
Spiritual Development
Religious education and spiritual development take place within the Middle Level and the larger school community. The Middle Level has its own religion classes and attends chapel every Monday morning. A vibrant Campus Ministry program enhances classroom instruction, and spirituality infuses each day, from morning prayer to the afternoon blessing. Age-appropriate service activities and grade-level retreats build confidence, self-reflection, and relationship with God. School liturgies, the cornerstone of NDP spiritual life, bring the Middle Level together with the Upper Level, uniting the entire NDP community in celebration.
Traditions
Extracurricular activities enrich the NDP experience and add to the fun while providing leadership opportunities. The Middle Level has its own activities, music ensembles, Tree Trim, and Middle Made fashion-design challenge. In the fall, middle schoolers race scooters in the annual Tour de Notre Dame, and each spring brings the impressive eighth-grade synchronized swim show. Tradition is woven into the fabric of Middle Level life, including grade-specific and all-Middle Level activities. Dressing up for the Halloween Parade, Academic Bowl, Sisterhood Program, celebrating Seder Meal, and hosting guests on Grandparents Day are just some of the traditions which add spirit and fun to the day!
Middle Level Student Activities
Advisory
Assemblies
Athletics: Interscholastic competition for field hockey, volleyball, cross country, soccer (fall); basketball, soccer (winter); and badminton, tennis, lacrosse, and softball (spring)
Sisterhood Program
Clubs: Book Club (6th & 7th Grade); Boote Camp Club; Craft Club; Cross Stitch Club; Friendship Bracelet Club; Games Club; Global Dance Club; Green School Club; Kindness Matters Club; Nature Club; One Love Club; Puzzle Club; Robotics Club; Shalom Club; Writing Club
Competitions and Challenges at the Local, State and National Level
Dance
Field Day
Field Trips
French Week
Grade 6 Girls Night Out
Grade 7 and 8 Social
Grade 8 Synchronized Swim Show
Leadership Opportunities
Math Problem of the Week
Middle Level Music Assessment Day
Music, including Band, Orchestra, Chorus/Chamber Choir