Free Parent Event Featuring International Speaker

Please join us for an engaging and informative presentation on “Raising Resilient and Self-Reliant Children” with International Formation and Education Consultant, Sister Pat McCormack, IHM, EDD.

A self-reliant, resilient character is the by-product of daily life practices that nurture security, autonomy, initiative, and industry. When parents apply these practices with consistency, repetition, and continuity, positive identity formation takes root in the child. Over time resilience, self-reliance, and positive self-esteem evolve as byproducts.

This presentation will “unpack” these elements and communicate practical advice, gathered from parents of children in grades K-12 who were recognized for positive self-esteem and character.

This adult event is free of charge and will take place on Monday, January 15, at 6 p.m. at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in the Cathedral Center. The Center is located in the main Church building. Parking in the lot will be available. When you enter, please proceed up the stairs or elevator and the center is straight across. Wine and cheese will be served. All are welcome!


Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Preschool students from Notre Dame of De Pere Catholic School and St. John Paul II Classical School are well on their way to learning about the Mass and God’s love in a successful program called the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The program started three years ago at NDDP and has grown to include all four sections of the preschool population. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a program for the faith and spiritual formation of the child. Its focus is to deepen the child’s existing relationship with God. It encourages a personal prayer life, full participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, and the development of a deeper understanding of Catholic identity and tradition. This is accomplished through the use of materials, prayer, song, listening to the Word of God and giving each child time to work with provided materials. There is a short group lesson and then time is given for individual prayers and play.

This CGS initiative at Notre Dame of De Pere is led by Mrs. Jane Charneski, Discipleship Coordinator and trained catechist teacher and assisted by Mrs. Jennifer Kopp, trained catechist teacher for Level I for NDDP three- and four-year-old students. One or two days each week, these students meet in the Atrium classroom, which is set up with child-sized religious education materials. The CGS program is a tie-in with the school’s community and curriculum. The liturgical calendar is observed with colors and songs, and Bible verses are read and reviewed from the weekly scripture from Mass each week.

Mrs. Charneski shares, “All four sections are thriving with little learners on their ourney of falling in love with Jesus.” The student and family response to this program has been overwhelmingly positive. Families are invited to observe or help out and to sit in on class periods to see the students in action. Many compliments and kind words have been shared throughout the years, and parents have truly loved the large candle ceremony at year’s end. Both schools are looking forward to training more instructors and assistants in the future as more sections are added.


Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

Fall 2023 GRACE Newsletter

The Fall 2023 GRACE newsletter is here! Learn how the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is teaching students about the Mass and God’s love, discover what the middle days elective program is all about, read about how one school is carrying on a 15-year-old tradition at the monthly Mass, and more!

Read Now!

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

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Middle School Honor Roll

2023-24 First Trimester Honor Roll

Students in grades 6-8 who meet the proper educational criteria each trimester are eligible for the ND Honor Roll.  Criteria are as follows:

  • A= 3.5-4.0
  • B= 3.0-3.49

The Honor Roll recognizes academic success not only for academic excellence but for academic improvement.

During the first trimester, our middle school students exhibited strong academic excellence! Below are a few of their accomplishments! We are so proud of their success!

  • 100% of 6th graders made the honor roll
  • 95% of 7th graders made the honor roll
  • 89% of 8th graders made the honor roll
  • At the mid-point of the trimester, there were no students with failing grades or a GPA below 2.00

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

Voice of the Customer Survey Now Open

The 2023-2024 GRACE Voice of the Customer Survey is now open until December 10th to all GRACE families! You received an email earlier this morning containing the link. We’re excited to hear from you! Thank you for your help.


Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From the Desk of Principal Mares

My family, especially my mom, loves a good tradition.  One of these traditions was born from the changing of our Thanksgiving plans and traditions after my maternal grandparents had passed away and the Thanksgiving feast shifted to my parents’ table.  We now have a special Thanksgiving tablecloth on which every attendee at Thanksgiving dinner writes one thing they are thankful for.  

After the meal, we go around and read what we added for the year.  Not only is it nice to have a conversation about the current year but it’s also so fun to look back at our previous years’ gratitude offerings.  My now 13-year-old nephew once wrote he was thankful for big boy undies and his beloved puppy water bottle.  My husband wrote he was thankful for the University of Notre Dame’s winning season and a few years later during a losing season he was thankful that one of the players was a senior and leaving the team.  Of course, there are plenty of more serious offerings as well, including health, healing, simply being together, or notes from loved ones who have since passed on.  

As we prepare for the celebration of Thanksgiving in the week ahead, I hope you are finding many things to be grateful for.  If this year has been a bit more melancholy for you and your family, here are a few offerings of gratitude from some of our first-grade students to put a smile on your face and give you a little inspiration. 

  • Mom and Dad
  • My puppy and cat
  • Family and animals but mostly my family
  • Grandma and Grandpa
  • Zebras
  • Jesus
  • Make-up on my face
  • Stuffed animals
  • Teachers
  • Food
  • My friends

Molly Mares–Principal, Notre Dame of De Pere


Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

Notre Dame of De Pere Catholic School Principal Spotlight

Today we are highlighting Notre Dame of De Pere Catholic School’s principal, Ms. Molly Mares!

We asked her, “Principal Mares, why do you choose to work for GRACE and particularly, Notre Dame of De Pere Catholic School?”

She responded with, “The short answer is that God called me to this role and He has been working hard ever since to qualify me to do it. Like most working in education, I believe in being a champion for children and have a commitment to lifelong learning. God specifically pointed me toward leading at Notre Dame of De Pere and it is truly a joy. Walking my own faith journey alongside our students and families is the greatest gift.”

As the NDDP community can attest, Principal Mares is a joy to have around, but we wanted to know; “What is a fun fact about you?”

Her answer was, “I can easily say the alphabet backward!”

We are so blessed by dedicated and talented leaders such as Principal Mares. Join us in thanking her for her commitment to Catholic Education!


Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

All Silent Auction Bidding is OPEN NOW!

Don’t Miss Out!

Silent auction items are open for bidding online! You can bid from anywhere on almost 200 items! From parties to grills and everything in between, register your account and let the fun begin! 

Don’t Miss the Action at the LIVE AUCTION! Join us on Friday!

The Live Auction will begin at the event at 8:00 p.m. SHARP!  Get your bidding groups together and win some amazing experiences with your closest friends! These items are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime! For more information on the event or to join us, visit the auction website!


Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

Rise Up Raiders Night is Coming!

Important Rise Up Raiders Night Information:

  1. Sign up to help set up Rise Up Raiders Night or help at the event.
    • This is a great way to get priority hours!  
    • NEW! Clean-up volunteers get double-priority hours! 
    • RURN “Day Of” Sign Up 
  2. Turn in your pink Raider Raffle tickets if you haven’t already done so. You can buy them yourself or sell them to friends and family.
    • Purchase includes event admission for 2 and a chance to win $10,000! Only 500 will be sold!
  3. Please turn in any auction donations to the school office by Friday, October 27th. All donations are tax-deductible and are greatly appreciated!
  4. Mark your Calendar! Friday, November 10th from 6-10 PM in the School Gymnasium

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

Golden Apple Awards Now Open to Nominations

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Golden Apple Awards! The prestigious Golden Apple Award recognizes exceptional Greater Green Bay teachers. Nominations for teachers and teams of teachers who have made a positive impact will be accepted now through Friday, October 27, at 3 p.m. The nomination forms can be found below:

Please show your support and take some time to nominate our fantastic GRACE teachers!

Further information can be found here.


Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.