Notre Dame High School Welcomes First Female Students in Historic Milestone

West Haven, Connecticut – September 2, 2025 – Notre Dame High School in West Haven marks a transformative moment in its distinguished history today as it welcomes its first female students to campus. The Class of 2029 is the largest incoming class in nearly a decade. Students have enrolled from 31 towns and 68 middle schools, and close to 20 percent have a legacy connection to Notre Dame High School.

Forty young women join the Class of 2029, and 10 enter the Class of 2028, making this the largest incoming class in nearly a decade. These pioneering students begin their academic journey at the school, fulfilling the mission expansion announced in May 2024 to create a co-educational environment rooted in the values and traditions of the Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

This historic day represents the culmination of extensive planning and preparation to ensure that Notre Dame High School continues to provide exceptional, values-based education while embracing a more inclusive future.

The arrival of these 50 female students brings Notre Dame in line with 19 other Congregation of Holy Cross-sponsored secondary institutions across the United States that have embraced co-education.

"Today, we witness the evolution of Notre Dame High School's mission in real time," said Robert F. Curis, President of Notre Dame High School. "We are incredibly proud of these 50 pioneers—academic risk-takers who have chosen to be part of history. These remarkable young women will benefit from our distinctive experiential learning and values-based education, and they will add a new dimension of life and purpose to our school community. They will thrive within our Minds & Hearts Teacher Advisory program, which supports students in their journey of becoming the best versions of themselves. They will also enrich and participate in a variety of sports across our already incredibly strong and illustrious athletic programs. Their courage in being 'the first' will inspire generations to come."

Adam LaPut, Class of 1989 and a 31-year veteran teacher and coach at Notre Dame High School, expressed enthusiasm about this new chapter.

"In my three decades at Notre Dame, I've witnessed countless moments of growth and achievement," he said. "Today stands apart as truly revolutionary. The energy and perspectives these young women bring will elevate our classrooms, our athletic programs, and our entire school culture. This isn't just about opening our doors—it's about opening our minds to the full potential of what Notre Dame can become."

Current students have embraced this transition with enthusiasm and maturity. Senior Marco Blakeslee of Milford, Connecticut, shared his perspective:

“I'm excited to welcome young women to our community as it shows a major upgrade in preparing our students for college and the real world," he said. "At the same time, it strengthens our community, camaraderie, and familyhood, creating closer bonds amongst the entire student body.”

The integration of female students into Notre Dame's academic and extracurricular programs has been carefully planned to ensure a seamless transition. Faculty and staff have undergone additional training, facilities have been updated, and new programs have been developed to support all students in this co-educational environment.

This historic transition aligns with the vision of Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, who wrote in 1856: "Education is the art of helping young people to completeness." Today's milestone represents Notre Dame High School's continued commitment to that timeless mission.

For more information about Notre Dame High School and its co-educational programs, please contact:

Ms. Caroline Burns VP for Enrollment Management
203-937-3242
cburns@notredamehs.com

About Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame High School, located in West Haven, Connecticut, is a Catholic college preparatory school sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross. The school offers a rigorous International Baccalaureate program and is committed to developing young people of character, compassion, and confidence.

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
CHARACTER • COMPASSION • CONFIDENCE