Service as a Way of Life at Notre Dame Preparatory School
Adolescence is a transformative time when students develop lifelong habits that shape them into young women, with behaviors formed at this stage often carrying into adulthood. One of the most impactful habits cultivated at Notre Dame Preparatory School (NDP) is a commitment to service—an intrinsic part of the school’s mission that students embrace from their earliest years.
Rooted in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, NDP boasts the longest-running service program among Baltimore-area private schools. At its core, this program prioritizes person-to-person interaction, allowing students to see firsthand the impact of their efforts. Service at NDP is not simply an obligation—it is a deeply personal and transformative experience that fosters relationships between volunteers and those they serve. Through an individualized approach, students discover meaningful ways to give back that align with their own passions, talents, and personalities.
Service Begins in Middle School
At NDP, the journey of service starts as early as sixth grade. Middle Level students begin developing a service mindset through partnerships with organizations such as the Youth Refugee Project, Stella Maris, and Marian House. Age-appropriate service opportunities help students understand the value of giving back, whether through delivering valentines to the School Sisters of Notre Dame at Stella Maris, collecting donations for earthquake relief, adopting families for Christmas, or participating in the Pasta for the Philippines initiative. These experiences instill empathy and a sense of personal responsibility, setting the stage for future involvement.
Expanding Service in High School
Beginning in ninth grade, Upper Level students are invited—but not required—to participate in the school’s many high school-level social service programs. The opportunities are boundless and borderless: from tutoring local refugee youth and serving meals to the elderly to traveling south to Virginia to work alongside their classmates building homes for Habitat for the Homeless. Service is seamlessly woven into the fabric of the NDP experience, an extension of the school’s holistic approach to education.
By sophomore year, students take on a more structured commitment with a 20-hour annual service requirement. They have the freedom to decide how to fulfill these hours, choosing from a variety of projects such as environmental clean-ups, meal deliveries, disability assistance, or any initiative that resonates with their personal passions. Encouraging students to take the lead in their service work fosters a deeper sense of fulfillment and a higher likelihood of lifelong volunteerism.
A Culture of Leadership and Connection
Under the leadership of Steven Pomplon, Director of Social Service for nearly 20 years, NDP’s service program continues to thrive. Mr. Pomplon champions a student-led approach, empowering girls to generate their own initiatives and lead service clubs. While many talents can be used in service, face-to-face engagement and hands-on work are prioritized. This approach nurtures lasting personal connections with service, shaping what Mr. Pomplon describes as a “lifestyle of service”—one that continues to grow and evolve as students move beyond NDP.
Building Lasting Partnerships
NDP has fostered deep, enduring relationships with key service partners, both locally and beyond. The 40-year partnership with Camp Umoja and the more than 41-year tradition of hosting Dinner with Elders for seniors in public housing stand as testaments to the school’s dedication to community service. In 1992, NDP joined with Habitat for Humanity in the community of Starkville, Mississippi, and was recently included in the organization’s Hall of Honor for its 30-plus years of service to the town. These long-standing initiatives highlight the trust and bonds formed between Notre Dame Prep students and the people they serve.
Connecting Service to Academics
In 2017, Notre Dame Prep became the first Catholic high school in the area to integrate a student’s graduation requirement into its academic curriculum by offering service-learning courses. Service learning supports student engagement in the community by connecting their experiences to course content. Today, NDP offers four Advanced Placement courses with WE Service, including SP Human Geography, AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art Design and AP Environmental Science. WE Service is a program sponsored by the College Board.
Service as a Lifelong Commitment
At Notre Dame Preparatory School, service is more than just an activity—it is a way of life. It is a tangible expression of faith and a testament to the school’s mission of nurturing compassionate, engaged citizens. Whether within the city of Baltimore, across the nation, or around the world, NDP students and alumnae carry forward a tradition of service that is both impactful and enduring.
Founded in 1873, Notre Dame Preparatory School is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls in grades 6-12. The School Sisters of Notre Dame sponsor the school, which is dedicated to educating young women to transform the world. If you are interested in a transformative education for your daughter, please visit www.notredameprep.com for more information.
