Covid-19 forced Notre Dame Academy to cancel shadow days for eighth-graders, but Ms. Molly VandenHouten, admissions coordinator, hopes the upcoming virtual Preview Night makes up for the lack of in-person contact.

The virtual event will be streamed through YouTube Live on Thursday, Nov. 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Traditionally, Preview Night is a school visitation for prospective students and their parents that features sports and extracurricular activities, an opportunity to meet teachers and see  classrooms, and the presentation of vital information like scholarships, tuition cost and answers to Frequently Asked Questions. 

This year those who tune in will have the opportunity to hear from NDA staff and multiple guest speakers including NDA President Tom Kiely, Principal Patrick Browne, Athletic Director Matt . Koenig, alum Ingrid Hirte and Alisa Conway, parent and school board member.  Student Government adviser Jen Laaksonen will open the door (virtually) to clubs and activities. 

One can sign up for Preview Night through the pop-up on the NDA website, emails sent out to parents at GRACE schools and social media ads, such as NDA Facebook.

According to VandenHouten, about 75% of current NDA students attended a school in the Green Bay Catholic school system. 

With shadow days gone the way of the pandemic, middle schoolers can now see recorded zoom lessons and connect with a weekly student panel to learn about the daily life of an NDA student. 

The 2021-22 NDA student application will go live on Preview Night for prospective students who believe NDA is the school for them, and letters of acceptance are sent to the homes of said students by Christmas.