Notre Dame Elementary School

As I reflect at our time at NDE (9 years), I feel very satisfied with my children’s education. Both (boy and girl) got into their first choices (actually all schools they applied) for high school. More importantly, both kids have achieved this without my husband and my intervention.
NDE emphasizes being organized and responsible for your work. This is sometimes a harder adjustment for Type A parents, but so necessary to be successful scholastically. NDE emphasizes independence which I truly appreciate.
Was everything perfect? Not always, but isn’t that part of growing up? The school provided a safe environment where my children were known and respected and educated both academically and socially.

If you want a school where you child will thrive educationally, where no family will be a stranger and where the fee you pay monthly is almost all inclusive for the year then NDE is the place to go.
I have a 3^rd grader and am a single working mom. Cliché? I chose NDE for many reasons. My kid is taken care of emotionally, spiritually and educationally. I am member of the Parent Teacher organization. I’ve been room mom in the past years and the brownie scout troop leader. My point is, I know the school inside out and I can tell you that without the entire administration and all the wonderful families that are here I wouldn’t be here.

NDE has a good structure and also has some challenges that need to be managed and adjusted. We did research and looked at other private schools in the area and this school is the best option.
There were challenges in the lower grades last year– as reviewed on this site by one of the parents. We are in the upper grades and heard about these new families trying to overrun the teacher and «strongly force» their way into the school. We believe the school principal did the right thing by encouraging them to move on.
We are a quiet and family oriented school with little politics between the families and staff. What challenges we do have, we manage them like adults.
We’ve seen some bad reviews from families at this site on NDE. These families blame the school for challenges they have with their own kids. We’ve observed that these families, sadly, bounce around to different schools in the area in search of answers for their challenges.

Beware of this school!!! We used to go to this school but left disgusted after continuously being lied to by the school administration led by Sr. Kathryn who is the current principal there. We along with many families in the lower grades left this school last year because the principal was unwilling to acknowledge there were problems in the 1^st grade classroom under the rule of a new teacher. Even after 5 families left back to back in the fall, the school seemed to think nothing was wrong. Apparently we did the right thing because both the Kindergarten and 2^nd grade teacher also left the school at the end of the year along with more families. If you look closely you will see that the enrollment is low. 12 kids in the 2^nd grade. A friend of ours visited the school this past summer and was told by Sr. Kathryn that the low enrollment was due to the fact that the school did not have a parish when in fact, many of us applied to go there because of this reason. So beware and be forewarned!!!

We are very happy to have our children at Notre Dame Elementary. We moved here from another school, and have been very pleased with the academics and friendly families and staff. We so appreciate being able to have a direct relationship with the teachers, visit the classrooms for activities, and work together to make our school an excellent experience for our kids. NDE takes reading and writing seriously challenging each child at their own level with the leveled reading program and encouraging daily journaling starting in Kindergarten! Algebra is typically taken by all the eighth grade class with Geometry offered to the advanced students (through the high school).
The negative reviews surprise me to some extent, as no school is perfect. Sister Kathryn is our principal, having been vice principal under Dr. Traynor. I am pleased with the changes that took place (adding a Kindergarten class and a dedicated Science Lab!) and enjoy working with Sr. Kathryn on projects to beautify and improve our school. We look forward to our youngest child joining the NDE family soon!

My son is finishing up his middle school years here. For the most part, I am glad my son attended this school. However, I am changing my review from 4 stars down to 3 stars because two of the three middle school teachers currently on board are lacking.
I believe these teachers DO teach the necessary classwork, but either they are under too much pressure to succeed or just don’t like their jobs well enough. There is no fun, no humor, and very little respectful interaction between these teachers and their students. From the feedback of numerous children, it seems they are viewed as children only — not as thinking, evolving beings.
I know teaching is not a popularity contest, but there has to be a rapport — a relationship. Why make school something to endure when it can be something children look forward to?
On the flip-​side, in regard to the class size and other kids in class — they have felt like family to my son If a handful of kids try out for a sport, they all want to join so they can be together. I was super happy he came to NDE over a larger, public middle school.
I wished for more PE days, instrumental music and was saddened to see the library go. I didn’t bring my kid here as a «Catholic school,» first and foremost. I brought him in the hopes that he would have a positive experience — both socially and academically — and be able to enjoy that last bit of innocence one can have during middle school years. Did that happen? For the most part, yes. If I had to do it again, would I? That would depend on those middle school teachers. THAT would be the deciding factor for me.

This is a an independent Catholic school. I moved here in 2009, and found this amazing gem of a school. I had researched schools in the North Peninsula thinking I would be living closer to Burlingame area and went to schools in Millbrae, Burlingame, and San Mateo trying to find the right fit for my 5^th grader girl.
I found a house in Belmont, AND right across the street was NDE! It is by far the most progressive Catholic School I had toured. It’s an amazingly welcoming and loving environment. 5^th grade for girls can be tough. This group of kids are so kind and caring — my daughter was welcomed by both teachers and students. I was really worried about this, but this was furthest from the case.
Even BETTER, this year there is a new Principal, Dr. Traynor. I cannot say enough GREAT things about him and his methodologies. There is a re-​vitalized feeling with him at the helm. The cirriculum and teachers have all been reviewed by an outside respected company and there will be many many positive changes. The education the kids get here is good, but it will get even better. Our student body is very sharp and I am really excited about the changes.
The parent involvment is high and committed. Each school function is held at the beautiful Ralston Hall — on the same property.
The downside is the school is in need of cosmetic updating; but this is being reviewed and a plan is being worked out too.
I cannot say enough good things about the school and the Principal.

Notre Dame Elementary School is a small hidden gem on the Peninsula. The teachers are amazing and go above and beyond. They are available, involved, and without a doubt, some of the best around. The new principal is outstanding! His main focus is the children. His door is always open and he will listen to anyone’s ideas. He responds in a timely manner and is making amazing changes at the school. Lastly, the families wonderful and are always willing to help. I have been at other schools and you can not compare the small hidden gem we have here at Notre Dame Elementary!