Welcome to our community
Joining the Notre Dame School of Milwaukee
Notre Dame School of Milwaukee (NDSM) welcomes families who seek a high-quality, faith-based, dual-language education rooted in Catholic values. We partner closely with parents and guardians to ensure every child has access to a nurturing, academically rigorous environment where they can grow in faith, knowledge, and leadership.
Enrollment is open to students entering K3 through 8th grade across our three campuses:
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Coed Primary School (K3–4th Grade)
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Girls Middle School (Grades 5–8)
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Boys Middle School (Grades 5–8)
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Every child deserves access to an excellent, faith-filled education.
Wisconsin Shares Program
Families with children enrolled in our K3 program may qualify for assistance through the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program. This program helps cover early childhood tuition for qualifying families. The program invests in eligible working families to help make quality child care more accessible and affordable. How? By covering a portion of their monthly child care costs. Why? Because when families get a little help — more is possible! Knowing their child is safe and well cared for, parents and caregivers can take advantage of opportunities that create strength, growth, and success.
Choice Programs and Deadlines
Notre Dame School of Milwaukee accepts students on a first-come, first-served basis. NDSM participates in both the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) for students in grades K4 through 8.
- Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP):
Open enrollment occurs from the 1st to the 20th of each month, February through August, for the next school year’s grade level. - Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP):
Open enrollment occurs from February 3rd through April 20th for the next school year’s grade level.
Families must complete both the NDSM application and the state Choice application during the appropriate enrollment window. Supporting documentation — including proof of residency and income verification — is required for Choice eligibility.
Additional information you may find useful
Financial Assistance
For families who do not qualify for a Choice voucher, tuition rates are established annually. Scholarship opportunities may be available based on eligibility and donor support. Our admissions team works closely with families to share these opportunities when they arise and to ensure clear communication about tuition costs.
Open Enrollment
Notre Dame School of Milwaukee accepts students year-round as space allows. Early applications are encouraged to ensure you secure a seat.
Lottery Process
If more completed applications are received than spots available for any given grade level, a random lottery is conducted to determine which students are admitted. If a sibling is currently enrolled at Notre Dame School of Milwaukee, subsequent siblings receive enrollment priority in their grade level, as space permits.
After each lottery, an email notification is sent to all applicants regarding their application status and, if applicable, their number on the wait list.
Family Involvement
At Notre Dame School of Milwaukee, families are vital partners in our students’ success. We believe that when parents and educators work together, children thrive — academically, socially, and spiritually.
Parents are encouraged to volunteer at least 20 hours per year. To ensure a safe environment for all students, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee requires all volunteers to complete Safe Environment training and a background check.
- Training sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
- Dates and times for these sessions can be found here.
- Training is required only once and is transferable to all other Archdiocese of Milwaukee schools.
We also strongly encourage families to attend school functions, student activities, and parent meetings. Active participation in these events helps make NDSM a stronger, more caring, and culturally rich community for every child.
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.