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February 1, 2024
Dear ND Family:
I am pleased to share with you that this afternoon, at a joint press conference, it will be announced that Sacred Heart University and the Diocese of Bridgeport have reached an agreement where the University will purchase Notre Dame High School for $15 million. Notre Dame will continue as a high school with its current faculty and staff in place as an entity of Sacred Heart University.
The acquisition of Notre Dame by Sacred Heart will provide numerous benefits to our community. These include much-needed upgrades to our facility, access to diverse resources, such as an expanded curriculum and world-class sports venues and academic facilities, tuition discounts for students, faculty and staff, and a variety of extracurricular activities. Furthermore, the University's resources will enhance our International Baccalaureate program, which is set to launch this fall. There is also potential for Notre Dame to expand its academic programs in the future by leveraging the university's resources and faculty.
As many know, the relationship between Notre Dame and Sacred Heart goes back to the 1960s. Originally, Notre Dame students attended classes on the campus of what later became Sacred Heart University. More recently, our students and staff have enjoyed the resources of the nearby Catholic university. In 2011, we formalized our partnership which led to the construction of the jointly-used, lighted turf field along Park Avenue, the installation of Wi-Fi technology in our building, and the granting of student access to campus facilities including the library and chapel. Additionally, a 50% tuition scholarship was created for academically qualified Notre Dame graduates to attend SHU. Last year alone, more than twenty Notre Dame graduates took advantage of this opportunity.
Today, this partnership takes on a new direction between two institutions that share a common vision for Catholic education, bringing tremendous opportunities for our students.
I am excited that Sacred Heart University has committed to invest millions in our facility and grounds over the next few years. The University aims to enhance Notre Dame’s academic facilities and property – along with the student experience – to align with the University’s standards and provide a top-tier education for families seeking Catholic secondary education. As a result, our academic and athletic programs, mission, and commitment to providing an exceptional Catholic education will be enhanced. Our faculty and staff, though, will remain in place, our Board will continue in an advisory role, and Notre Dame will always be a part of the high school’s name.
Going forward, Bishop Caggiano will continue to advise on Notre Dame’s fundamental Catholic identity. The Bishop has also announced that a scholarship fund will support students who wish to attend Notre Dame in the future but may not have the financial means to do so.
Over the past decade, Sacred Heart has experienced tremendous growth. They have successfully brought the Great River Golf Club, SHU’s Discovery Science Center and Planetarium, and the SHU Community Theatre in downtown Fairfield under its umbrella. With the addition of Notre Dame, the university has opportunities for continued growth and expansion, including those through the Farrington College of Education & Human Development and upgraded athletic facilities across the street from its main campus.
Notre Dame is thriving, thanks to the support and commitment of our community – including so many of you. Enrollment has steadily increased, reaching 500 students this year. The arts program continues to showcase amazing talent, while the athletic program allows student-athletes to grow on and off the field, court, and ice. The service program is second to none. The Class of 2023 earned over $22 million in scholarships and grants and acceptances to the nation’s best universities. The new International Baccalaureate program will provide an internationally recognized and respected curriculum for students. The acquisition of the high school by SHU will enhance these opportunities in new and innovative ways, further elevate the school, and open new doors for growth and development.
I invite you to share in my genuine excitement for this bold and exciting opportunity for our high school. Notre Dame has a rich history of nearly 70 years and has produced almost 14,000 accomplished alumni who continue to live out our mission each day. It is impossible to quantify the number of lives positively impacted by ND over the decades. In partnership with SHU, I am confident this will not only continue but thrive and expand.
I look forward to sharing additional details and information about our new relationship with Sacred Heart University as they are finalized in the coming weeks and months. In addition, I will be hosting a town hall forum on Zoom the week of February 5 to review this information and answer any questions our community may have.
As we celebrate our Year of Gratitude at Notre Dame, I am so grateful for the amazing ND community - our students, faculty, staff and alumni - and the wise guidance and support of our Board of Directors and Bishop Caggiano. I am especially grateful to Dr. Petillo and the SHU Board of Trustees for welcoming ND into the SHU family and for this wonderful opportunity that lies ahead of us.
In Gratitude,
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