NDSM's Mission & Guiding Principles
Three Campuses. One Mission. One Notre Dame School of Milwaukee.
We are a unified community grounded in faith, academic excellence, and dual language education. Each campus plays a vital role in helping students grow into confident, capable, and compassionate leaders who are empowered to shape and transform their world. Guided by our mission and core principles—and deeply rooted in the charism and philosophy of the School Sisters of Notre Dame—we bring these values to life every day through rigorous academics, meaningful service, and faith formation that inspires lasting impact.
Why We Serve
Our mission is the heart of who we are — it fuels our passion, inspires our work, and gives meaning to each day.
Notre Dame School of Milwaukee, a Catholic school sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, challenges our students to reach their full potential as individuals, empowering them to direct their God-given gifts toward transforming their community.
What We Aspire To
Our vision is the promise of what’s possible — a bold picture of the future we aim to create by living our mission every day.
With deep faith and courage, Notre Dame School of Milwaukee boldly addresses the urgent, critical needs of the community by providing an education focused on student and school growth through quality and innovation.
How We Are Guided
At Notre Dame School of Milwaukee, our guiding principles are more than lessons we teach — they are the way we live. Rooted in respect, regalo (gift), and responsibility, these core values provide us with direction, shape our choices, and foster a community where every child can thrive. By embracing and living out the deeper meaning of these values, our students embody care and purpose, shaping a school community that radiates respect, gratitude, and a profound sense of belonging.
NDSM Core Values
Respect
Respect means honoring all of God’s creation—respecting each person, myself, and others’ property for who and what they are.
Regalo (Gift)
Regalo is the belief that God created each of us with special gifts. We are called to discover those gifts and see the gifts—not the faults—in one another.
Responsibility
Responsibility means developing my gifts, being accountable for my behavior, caring for the earth, and respecting all things I use.
At Notre Dame School of Milwaukee, students are shaped in mind, heart, and spirit. Beyond academics, I learned the importance of giving back, respecting others, and using my gifts with purpose. These values become part of who you are as an NDSM student and graduate—and they inspire us to lead, uplift others, and build a brighter future for the next generation.
- Melissa Rios
NDSM 1999, Divine Savior Holy Angels 2003, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 2009, University of Notre Dame 2021 Master’s of Educational Leadership, Director of Enrollment at NDSM
Carrying Forward the Charism and Educational Vision of the School Sisters of Notre Dame
The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) embrace a profound mission: to proclaim the Good News and make Christ visible through education, unity, and service. With a special dedication to empowering women, youth, and the poor, their charism reflects an unwavering commitment to transformative education and systemic change.
Notre Dame School of Milwaukee (NDSM), as a sponsored ministry of the SSNDs, lives out this mission every day by providing a rigorous, faith-filled education to students from Milwaukee’s near south side. Rooted in the SSND tradition, we foster academic excellence, leadership, and spiritual formation—just as Blessed Theresa, Mother Caroline, and generations of School Sisters envisioned. For nearly 30 years, NDSM has carried forward this legacy, believing deeply in the power of education to transform lives. As we’ve grown, we’ve remained firmly anchored in this charism, ensuring that our students graduate not only with knowledge and skills, but also with the moral and spiritual foundation to lead in their families, workplaces, and communities.
How We Carry Out the SSND Charism and Educational Vision
At Notre Dame School of Milwaukee, our Catholic identity and Gospel values are deeply woven into the fabric of school life, guiding every program, initiative, and interaction. Each day, our teachers, staff, volunteers, and benefactors come together to live out the charism and educational vision of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, steadfastly making Christ visible through faith, service, and academic excellence. We are honored to carry forward the SSND mission, committed to educating, empowering, and transforming lives—just as the Sisters have done for nearly two centuries.
Three Ways We Live Out the Vision
Tying Core Values to Scripture
Our guiding values—respect, regalo (gift), and responsibility—are deeply rooted in scripture, highlighting the vital connection between faith and daily living. Our school community regularly reflects on faith-based values connected to these pillars, encouraging students to embody Gospel teachings in their words, behaviors, and personal growth. For example, students are inspired to cultivate self-respect through self-compassion, guided by Colossians 3:12: “Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience.” This ongoing spiritual integration makes Christ visible as students practice faith in meaningful, everyday ways.
Use God-given Talents to Transform the World
The School Sisters of Notre Dame hold a profound conviction that education equips individuals to realize their God-given gifts and use them to transform the world. At NDSM, this mission is realized through rigorous academics, leadership development, and comprehensive preparation for high school, college, and life beyond. Our expanded STEM curriculum offers middle school students exposure to career pathways in critical and growing fields like science, technology, engineering, and math. Beyond academics, students explore their unique talents through rich extracurricular offerings such as sewing, design, language clubs, and our annual spring musical, alongside competitive sports teams. To nurture vocational discernment, NDSM hosts Leadership Lunches where local professionals share their journeys, inspiring students to envision diverse and meaningful futures.
Dedicated Days of Service
Living out the SSND call to embody the Gospel through service, NDSM has established three dedicated Days of Service, providing students with opportunities to serve both their school and the broader Milwaukee community. These projects strengthen bonds across generations and communities. One memorable example saw students creating handmade door decorations for the School Sisters of Notre Dame at Trinity Woods, expressing gratitude for the Sisters’ lifelong dedication to education, faith, and service. These acts of kindness nurture compassion and reinforce the deep-rooted values that guide our school’s mission.