For 120 years, the story of Notre Dame Academy (NDA) has been one of faith, academic excellence and transformation – growing from its early beginnings in Covington into the vibrant Catholic community it is today in Park Hills. The story reaches back further still, to 1850 in Coesfeld, Germany, with the founding of the Sisters of Notre Dame (SND). Their vision of an education grounded in faith, purpose and compassion, took root in Northern Kentucky in 1906, when the Sisters opened Notre Dame Academy on 5th Street in Covington. From those first few students, NDA has grown into a thriving college-preparatory high school, forming nearly 500 young women each year and supported by a worldwide sisterhood of more than 10,000 alumnae.

A Year of Celebration – and a New Chapter

The first day of school at NDA is always extraordinary: students lining the front entrance with colorful signs, cheers, and music as classmates arrive, and the Panda mascot leading the welcome with signature energy. This year the celebration carried special meaning. NDA entered its 120th anniversary year with a refreshed leadership team fully aligned to mission and momentum.

“We are excited to serve this community and continue preparing young women to be leaders who make a difference in the world,” said NDA’s new president, Lauren Hitron.“Our goal is to preserve the strong traditions of NDA while bringing new energy and vision for the future.” 

From that very first day of school in August, the message has been clear: Catholic formation and academic excellence work hand in hand at NDA. The culture calls every student to use her God-given gifts with integrity, responsibility, and purpose.

Foundation Day: 175 Years of Charism, 120 Years of More

On October 1, NDA marked Foundation Day, celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Notre Dame whose sacrifices built the school and whose charism continues to shape it. The NDA community also launched its own celebration of 120 years in Northern Kentucky. Their theme for the yearlong celebration is  “120 Years of More” – a simple phrase that captures an enduring truth about the NDA experience:

  • More than just an education, a transformation.
  • More than just a classroom, a community of faith.
  • More than preparation for college, a formation for life.

Excellence Recognized: A Blue Ribbon Legacy

This fall marked another milestone for Northern Kentucky’s only all-girls high school. NDA was recognized as a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence nominee, the school’s fourth time earning the distinction. As the only Catholic high school in the Diocese of Covington to reach this mark four times, NDA’s nomination affirmed what families experience daily: a school where Catholic formation and academic excellence work hand in hand.

NDA received word in August that it met the criteria for recognition – placing student performance among the top tier nationally and continuing a decades-long record of achievement. Notre Dame Academy celebrated the news in true NDA fashion: blue ribbons and shirts, music in the halls, ice-cream, and a spirited all-school assembly.

“This recognition affirms the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and families to the highest standards of Catholic education,” Hitron said. “Our mission is to prepare young women not only for success in college and career, but for lives of faith, service, and leadership.”

Why an All-Girls School Matters

At Notre Dame Academy, it’s all about girls – and it has been since its inception. The Sisters knew intuitively what modern research now confirms: girls’ schools deliver advantages that are hard to replicate in coed settings. Students in all-girls environments report higher aspirations, stronger motivation, and more active engagement in learning. They are more likely to participate in activities that prepare them for life beyond high school, show greater gains in core academic and life skills, and feel more comfortable being themselves and expressing ideas. 

You can see those benefits in daily life at NDA. Every academic team captain, research partner, singer, artist, and athlete is a girl. In this intentional environment, young women practice leadership and then they live it. As NDA graduates, they are poised, confident, faith-centered, and prepared to make a difference.

Stability and Strength – By Design

In a season when “stability” is a talking point across the region, NDA’s strength is unmistakable. The foundation is stable because the mission is stable. Many of NDA’s faculty and staff have served the community for years – some for decades – pairing veteran wisdom with fresh perspective from newer colleagues. That continuity shows in what matters most: consistent outcomes, enduring Catholic identity, and a culture of care that families trust.

Leadership has evolved over time, as it does in any healthy institution. Even through transitions, NDA has moved forward and thrived: earning repeated national recognition, launching new academic initiatives, growing student leadership programs, and investing in spaces that match the school’s ambitions for the next generation. The message is simple: the mission doesn’t waver, and the work doesn’t pause.

Innovation With Intention: The 1906 IDEAL Innovation Space

In November, NDA will open the 1906 IDEAL Innovation Space – an interdisciplinary environment for Innovation, Discovery, Education, and Learning that brings design thinking to life. Students will use the IDEAL Space across a wide range of classes and projects that emphasize collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. 

Beyond classes, the space will host capstone research, STEM clubs and competitions, and guest lectures, pairing technical competency with communication, collaboration, and ethical decision-making. It is a visible sign of NDA’s commitment to prepare young women for a world that needs their creativity and leadership.

A Tradition That Endures

For 120 years, NDA has adapted to the times while remaining anchored in Catholic identity and the SND charism. Today’s campus includes advanced STEM classrooms and labs, a vibrant fine arts program, competitive athletics, and spaces for prayer and reflection. Faculty mentor students with personal attention; alumnae return as role models, board members, and parents; and students bring the energy that keeps NDA moving forward.

“Our mission has always been about more than academics,” Principal Lisa Timmerding said. “It is about forming strong, faith-filled women who bring compassion, resilience, and leadership to everything they do. That legacy is why Notre Dame Academy has been a cornerstone of Catholic education in Northern Kentucky for 120 years.”

Rooted in Faith, Leading With Vision

Looking ahead, NDA’s 2025 Strategic Plan, Rooted in Faith, Leading With Vision, charts priorities across academics and technology, Catholic identity, student life, advancement, enrollment, facilities, finance, and governance. It is both a roadmap and a promise: to guard the legacy entrusted by the Sisters and to invest boldly in the future of Catholic education for young women in Northern Kentucky.

See the Story for Yourself

Families considering high school options are invited to experience “The Notre Dame Life” at Open House on Sunday, November 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. Student Ambassadors will guide personal tours, faculty will be available for questions, and visitors can explore the campus and learn about academics, activities, financial aid, and admissions.

One hundred twenty years after the Sisters first opened the doors, the story of Notre Dame Academy continues to unfold – written each day by students eager to learn, educators dedicated to excellence, alumnae leading with faith and courage, and families who believe in a mission that transforms lives. Learn more at ndapandas.org.