Notre-Dame International
High School Paris
www.ndihs.com
NOTRE-DAME INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Preparing students for a successful future
Notre-Dame International High School is a day and
boarding American international program offered
by the French school Notre-Dame “Les
Oiseaux” in the Paris Metropolitan Area in
France. This is a joint project of Notre-Dame
“Les Oiseaux” and Nacel France. The program
offers an exciting opportunity to learn the French
language and culture while attending an
American and international academic program
taught in English.
recognize the value of different viewpoints and
work towards a more peaceful world grounded in
intercultural understanding.
The Notre-Dame International High School mission
is to prepare students for professional success in
the global community. We equip students with The school welcomes local and international
the tools to become lifelong learners by fostering students from a variety of backgrounds, with a
the development of critical thinking and wide-range of academic and personal goals. More
communication skills through inquiry and than twenty citizenships are represented at school.
collaboration as they gain a strong sense of Various welfare and accommodation arrangements
personal and social responsibility. We encourage are available for students who do not have relatives
students to grow in their compassion for others, residing in France.
appreciate and respect other cultures,
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CHALLENGING AMERICAN DIPLOMA
Notre-Dame International High School is a college preparatory high school
(Grade 10 to 12) operated by the French school Notre-Dame “Les Oiseaux”
in partnership with Nacel France, and established in 2010. The program was
awarded accreditation from:
••the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School
Improvement (NCA CASI),
••the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC),
••and the Southern Association Council on Accreditation and School Improvement
(SACS CASI), all of which are accreditation divisions of COGNIA.
The school arranges for students to take official
French exams, such as the DELF exam, by request.
FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
In addition to the American curriculum, the During school breaks (fall, winter and
school offers an extensive French language spring breaks), students are given the opportunity
and culture program as well as enrichment to travel to various towns in France, such as Lyon,
courses taught by French teachers. Courses Rouen or Montpellier, where they will attend
administered by the French school’s faculty intensive French classes. Placements in French host
include: families are also offered during breaks for
further language and culture immersion.
•French language (from Beginner level),
•Art,
••and Physical Education.
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PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Our students demonstrate proficiency in the school ••Accepting, appreciating, and understanding
curriculum by: human diversity as it relates to themselves and
••Producing high level work that prepares them for others;
higher education or professional life; ••Developing cultural skills such as mindfulness,
••Demonstrating effective problem solving skills in empathy, self reflection, and patience in uncertain
various settings; situations
••Integrating and applying the knowledge ••Understanding the impact of their actions and
and experience gained in all subject areas; those of others (individuals and groups);
••Gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information ••Appreciating the value of learning and taking an
gained from research, prior learning, and different active role in their education.
world perspectives.
US COLLEGE COUNSELING & ADMISSIONS
Students will develop and refine their intercultural PROCESS
thinking skills by: The school administers a college preparation course
••Learning to understand the viewpoints of others to support and guide upper-level students during the
and allowing this information to shape their own college search and application process. In addition
perspective of the world; to assisting students in the search for universities and
••Challenging their personal biases and beliefs colleges and the admissions process (completing
through the examination of other worldviews; applications, essays, etc.), our college preparation
••Using knowledge and critical thinking to develop includes writing a resume, considering financial
educated positions on topics and issues that will aid and scholarship opportunities, registering and
improve their interactions with others. preparing for the SAT and TOEFL.
Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate FRENCH UNIVERSITY STUDY
effectively within an intercultural setting by:
••Improving skills in oral and written language; The U.S. High School diploma is evaluated
••Expressing thoughts and ideas with clarity, individually for equivalence with the
purpose, and cultural awareness; Baccalaureat (French diploma system) if applying
••Recognizing, analyzing, and evaluating various to French universities. Each French University
methods of verbal and nonverbal communication; has its own admission criteria for holders of
••Developing mastery of English (or for U.S. students, foreign qualifications. The student’s French
another world language), to be successful in language proficiency level is also taken into
postsecondary studies. Students will exhibit account as this is a key factor in the student’s ability
personal and social responsibility by: to excel.
••Practicing personal and academic integrity;
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PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCE
Notre-Dame International High School students
have been accepted to the following Colleges
and Universities:
••American University of Beirut, Lebanon ••Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
••American University of Paris, France ••Marymount Manhattan College
••Arizona State University ••Marymount School of New York, NY
••Atelier Hourde annee préparatoire aux écoles de ••MGIMO University Moscow, Russia
création, Paris, France ••Mt. Allison, New Brunswick, Canada
••Barry University ••Northampton University, UK
••Bishop University, Sherbrook, Canada ••Pace University, New York, NY
••Brunel University, London, UK ••Parsons New York
••Buffalo State College ••Parsons Paris- the New School for Design, Paris,
••Canisius College France
••Caucasus Business School of Georgia, Georgia ••Penn State Erie
••Chicago Institute of Art ••Penn State University - Abington/University Park
••College of Mount St. Vincent, Bronx, NY ••Regent American College London (member of
••Colorado State the Webster University network), UK
••Coventry University, UK ••Richmond American University, London, UK
••Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA ••Russian State Medical University, Russia
••Drew University ••San Diego University
••Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland ••San Jose State University
••Ekonomski fakultet – Zagreb, Croatia ••Santa Barbara University
••Elena- UK ••Savannah College of Art and Design
••ESSEC, Singapore ••Schiller University, Paris
••Eugene Lang ••School Of Visual Arts NYC
••European University of Barcelona, Spain ••St John’s University, Queens, NY
••Faculté des Métiers, Evry, France ••SUNY Fredonia
••Faculty of Law-University of Belgrade, Serbia ••Tbilisi Teaching University, Georgia
••Faculty of Philosophy, Novi Sad, Serbia ••Texas A&M University
••Fordham University ••Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajará,
••Franklin and Marshall Tabasco, Mexico
••Free University of Georgia, Georgia ••University of Arizona
••Houston Community College, Texas ••University of Birmingham, UK
••Hult International Business School London, UK ••University of Bristol, UK
••IESEG (Business School), Lille, France ••University of California-Davis
••IFC Marseille, France ••University of California-Santa Cruz
••INSEEC, Paris, France ••University of Colorado
••Institut Formation Conseil, Marseille, France ••University of Derby, UK
••International Fashion Academy ••University of East Anglia
••IPAG, Paris, France ••University of Exeter, UK
••ITAM, Mexico City, Mexico ••University of Florida
••Kaplan International College London, UK ••University of Kent, UK
••Kings College Foundation, Bournemouth, UK ••University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
••Kings College London, UK ••University of Roehampton, London, England
••Lewis and Clark ••University of San Francisco
••London Metropolitan University, UK ••University of Sheffield’s Law School
••London South Bank University, London, UK ••University of South Florida
••Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus) ••University of St Thomas
••LSBF (London School of Business and Finance), ••University of Warwick, UK
UK ••UPenn- Wharton School of Business
••Manhattan College, New York, NY ••Warsaw University, Warsaw, Poland
••Washington and Jefferson
••Webster University, Vienna, Austria
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SCHOOL CAMPUS
Our international study program is provided on
the campus of the French school Notre-Dame “Les
Oiseaux” (NDLO). The educational mission of Notre-
Dame “Les Oiseaux” is “Grow up Together”. The
goal is to prepare students to become autonomous
and responsible adults. Notre-Dame “Les Oiseaux”
creates an environment for community, freedom,
purpose, and involvement.
Notre-Dame “Les Oiseaux” currently offers six
sections:
••a Pre School and Kindergarten,
••an Elementary School,
••a Junior High School,
••a General and Technical Secondary School,
••Post-secondary school Technical Degree Programs
(Management, International Business, Business, SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Communications, and Chemistry).
••Notre-Dame International High School Verneuil-sur-Seine is located 38 kilometers from
Paris city center (35 minutes by public transportation).
HISTORY Located on the River Seine, it is “a town in the
Notre-Dame “Les Oiseaux” was established in countryside”, offering all the facilities of a residential
1929, on the site of the Château de Verneuil, by the town, the proximity of Paris, as well as a rich natural
Congregation of Notre Dame. The school is located environment, with parks, gardens, forest, rivers and
in the heart of a beautiful, 13 hectare historical lakes.
park, with gardens and several trees over a century
From 1000 inhabitants in 1930, Verneuil has grown
old. The Château de Verneuil has a history going
to 15 000 inhabitants today. This former village has
back to the 16th century when it was the residence
become a real town close to the Paris city center. The
of a family in the French nobility, until the French
town is “young”, with 57% of the inhabitants under
Revolution.
39 years of age; culture is a must, with a facility
The Château was abandoned in the years dedicated to dance (Espace Maurice Béjart) and
following the Revolution but was reclaimed by regular cultural events. It offers a swimming pool, a
one of its legitimate heirs, Hervé de Tocqueville skate park, soccer fields, tennis fields and a riding
in 1802. The son of Hervé de Tocqueville, the camp, as well as trekking facilities.
famous political thinker and historian Alexis de
Verneuil-sur-Seine is situated in the center of the
Tocqueville, spent his adolescence at the
Yvelines region, home to the famous Palace of
Château. The Château also welcomed the great
Versailles and Thoiry Castle along with prominent
French writer, François-René de Chateaubriand,
businesses such as Bull, Thomson, Grand Marnier,
while owned by the Tocqueville family. In 1817,
EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space
the property was sold and had multiple owners
Company), Peugeot, Renault, Bouygues, and others.
until 1929, when the Château was purchased by
the Congregation of Notre Dame.
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SCHOOL FACILITIES
FACILITIES SCHOOL LIFE
The campus of Notre-Dame “Les Oiseaux” welcomes Clubs/sports are active in our school. They
a large community of approximately 3000 pupils include clubs that are exclusive to the international
(comprising French students attending the French program. After-school extracurricular activities
school curriculum and about 50 international change each year.
students attending the international curriculum).
There are roughly 230 staff members including Our students are invited to be leaders and
teachers, administrators and maintenance staff who suggest new clubs or extracurricular activity.
oversee the students and the school’s facilities and
Competitive sports must usually be practised
gardens (on a total of 13 hectares of land).
off campus, in local clubs. Eligibility for
enrollment is subject to dorm staff and host
The school completed a major reconstruction
family approval; not all meeting times may be
project resulting in new and expanded science labs
conducive to dormitory and host family
as well as a brand new student cafeteria. The castle
scheduling.
itself underwent a multi-phase renovation in 2018
with the purpose of enabling improved access for
people with disabilities. A new library/media center
and a new wing of dorm rooms opened in the fall
of 2017. Since Notre-Dame “Les Oiseaux” provides
college level education, the school has excellent
science and computer labs, with state-of-the-art
science instruments.
The facilities offered on campus include:
••Outdoor fields (two soccer fields, two running
paths)
••Computer rooms
••Brand new science labs
••Amphitheatre and audiovisual room
••Modernized school libraries
••Arts and Music rooms
••Two indoor gyms for basketball, handball,
volleyball, badminton, indoor soccer etc.
••A self-service cafeteria with a kitchen on location,
and an open Cafe
To supplement our on-campus library, NDIHS has
a partnership with the American Library in Paris
and all students receive an membership card to
the ALP. This provides a modern study space in
the center of Paris with borrowing privileges
and access to American library’s vast collection
of print materials and online databases.
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STUDENT ACCOMMODATION AND WELFARE
The school offers various arrangements Boarding is suitable for students who wish to share
for accommodation and welfare. The choice their everyday life with their classmates, enjoy
should be made based on age and maturity of community life and common activities and who
the student. A nurse is available on campus are respectful of boarding staff, as well as of the
on weekdays; an international health and boarding schedule and rules. They are independent
third party liability insurance covers each and mature enough to manage their daily life and
student of the school. studies by themselves.
DAY SCHOOL The campus has internet available in the library,
This option is only suitable for students already living classrooms, computer rooms, and labs.
with their parents in Paris city center or close to the The dorm building offers double rooms, with shared
school, and who can commute easily each day to bathrooms. Students who play a musical instrument
school with their parents or by public transportation. may have the opportunity for individual lessons with
a music teacher. Laundry services are provided.
HOST FAMILY ACCOMMODATION
7 days a week, with full board (includes short breaks, Option 1
bank holidays, Toussaint Fall, Christmas, Winter & Weekly Boarding only, 5 days a week, with
Easter Spring holidays). full board: for students who can return home for
The following students should be encouraged to weekends, i.e. local students.
register for the full time host family option: Option 2
••students who are coming for a short-term cultural Weekly Boarding, 5 days a week, with full board
experience- i.e., for one semester or one year; + Weekend Homestay, with full board. Students
••students who are interested in pursuing higher move to their host family on weekends. Outings
education in France and need to improve their may be allowed on Saturdays or Sundays, during
French; day time.
••young students: boarding quarters are not
available to 14 year olds so these students must Option 3
choose full time homestay accommodation. Weekly Boarding, 5 days a week, with full
board + Weekend Boarding, with half
board (available for 15 YO+ students
Students choosing this option must be willing to only). Unsupervised evenings and night
integrate into the host family life, share the everyday outings are not allowed and students are fully
life of the host family and become a real member supervised on Friday and Saturday evenings
of the host family, not only a guest. Our carefully and nights. Various supervised activities may be
selected host families live in and around Verneuil- offered on evenings at or outside the boarding
sur-Seine, as well as in neighbouring areas. This quarters, including in Paris. Unsupervised free
is the best way to be fully immersed in the French time in Paris on Saturdays and Sundays, in the
culture and “art de vivre”! Students should expect to afternoons.
spend their evenings and weekends with their host This accommodation is offered on
family. weekends, excluding school holidays.
Outings may be allowed on Saturdays or Sundays,
during day time.
BOARDING ACCOMMODATION
(15YO+ STUDENTS ONLY)
Boarding accommodation is offered on a
weekly basis, with full board (from Sunday after
dinner to Friday afternoon, excluding school
holidays), 5 or 7 days a week.
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WHY CHOOSE OUR SCHOOL?
ACADEMIC STRENGTHS
••Graduation opportunities ;
••Challenging, student-centered course-work focused on developing independent and responsible life-long
learners
••Individualized learning through small class sizes;
••Development of critical thinking skills and intercultural learning;
••Bi-cultural and bilingual school staff;
••Long tradition of excellent education and community spirit of the French school Notre-Dame “Les Oiseaux”;
••French language support classes and opportunity to study French from Beginner level;
••International student body (more than 20 nationalities represented at school)
LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS
••Proximity to Paris city center (35 minutes by train) with opportunities for sightseeing in Paris and France,
discovering French and European culture;
••Safe residential area and exclusive surroundings;
••Beautiful green and wooded campus;
••Efficient and comfortable mix of historical buildings and modern facilities;
••Excellent science and computer labs, up to date science instruments;
••Supervised and modernized 5 and 7 day boarding facilities;
••Placement in local French host families for students with the required French skills;
••Excellent catering facilities on campus;
••Various extracurricular clubs and activities on and off campus.
ADMISSIONS
The school year runs from early September to the end of June. The fall semester ends late January.
The school year includes four breaks of two weeks each (Fall, Christmas, Winter and Spring breaks).
Notre-Dame International High School has a rolling admissions policy with enrollment in September or
January, depending on availability. We strongly suggest, however, an early application, especially
for students who need a visa to stay and study in France.
Admission is based primarily on the completed student application form which includes a review of previous
school records and teacher recommendations. An interview with a member of the staff will also be required.
Notre-Dame International High School offers the chance to any prospective applicant to come to school and
spend some hours with our students as a shadowing student. Parents and children will also be able to meet
with the School Principal or Teachers.
10
Roissy
Conflans - Sainte Honorine
Charles De Gaulle
VERNEUIL
Aubergenville
SUR SEINE
Argenteuil
Poissy Saint - Denis
Asnières sur Seine
Bobigny
Nanterre
PARIS
Noisy le Grand
Versailles
Clamart Pontault - Combault
Créteil
Orly
Notre-Dame International High School
106, Grande-Rue
F-78480 Verneuil-sur-Seine
France
Tel: +33-9-70-40-79-22
[email protected]
www.ndihs.com
