Since its founding in 1957 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Elementary School has grown from a single kindergarten class into a thriving Preschool–8 Catholic school rooted in faith, knowledge, and service. Over the decades, the school has expanded in both programs and facilities, remaining steadfast in its mission to provide exceptional Catholic education to generations of students.
Notre Dame Elementary School first opened its doors in 1957 at Shamrock Acres, a property of the Sisters of Notre Dame in Chardon, Ohio, with a kindergarten class. Over the next few years, as grades were gradually added, they soon moved to the Bethany site, which is across from present day NDCL. By 1964, the school had expanded through eighth grade. In 1968, the school moved into the ground floor of its current Educational Center, and by 1972 it had grown to fill two floors.
In addition to the Elementary School, the Sisters opened Notre Dame Montessori in 1970 to serve children ages three to five. In the years that followed, Montessori expanded to second grade before later becoming a preschool-only program. In 2000, Notre Dame Preschool officially replaced Montessori, continuing the Sisters’ tradition of early childhood education in a new form.
Through the decades, NDES continued to grow in both facilities and programs. A dining room and gymnasium were added in 1976. By the mid-1990s, Notre Dame Elementary was planning for the future with expanded programs in music, art, Spanish, and enrichment. In 2008, the school appointed its first lay principal, and the following year became a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Notre Dame with its own Board of Directors.
Notre Dame Elementary School has been recognized for academic excellence. In 2014, the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, and the following year it received the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education. In 2015, the school also became part of the newly-formed Notre Dame Schools governance structure.
Recent years have brought exciting developments. In 2019, a new multipurpose room opened, preschool classes moved into the main building, and air conditioning was installed throughout the school. In 2022, Notre Dame Middle School opened, creating a dedicated learning environment for students in grades 6–8 and marking a new chapter in the Sisters of Notre Dame’s commitment to Catholic education in Geauga County.
From its founding at Shamrock Acres to its present-day presence as a vibrant Preschool–8 Catholic school, Notre Dame Elementary and Middle School has remained faithful to the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame: forming students in faith, knowledge, and service for generations to come.
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