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1966 to 1979
Increasing enrollment describes this point in history for both
Notre Dame Academy and Notre Dame Elementary School.
In 1968, NDA’s enrollment peaked at 900. This necessitated
using the new building and the former Temporaries, now
renamed Freshman Hall, for classrooms. Nine homerooms
housed 287 freshmen girls. Notre Dame Elementary School
relocated to the Provincial Center’s Teacher Training Wing.
“The elementary school needed the space in order to expand
and make room for grade 8,” Sr. Margaret explains.
Other construction during these years included a drainage
pond for fire protection built to south of NDA in 1972 and a
large pole building constructed next to the Concord Barn on
Butternut in 1974.
On July 4, 1969, a tornado ravaged the land, resulting in
the loss of 40% of the woods between NDA and the Provincial
Center. The chapel towers and farm buildings sustained
considerable damage.
Sadly, this time also included the phasing out the dairy
farm at Shamrock Acres, with the equipment sold at auction.
“In its place, the Sisters of Notre Dame raised 40 head of beef
cattle and several pigs which provided sustenance for the sisters.
We also allowed our neighbors to use our pastures for their
cows,” notes Sr. Margaret.
In 1978-79, the west wing of NDA, or the library wing, was
constructed. Upon completion, the Temporaries were no
longer needed; one was moved to St. Helen School while the
Assembly Hall section remained and later converted to the
Fine Arts Center for NDCL in 1996.
1980 to 1988
With the turn of a new decade came more major changes to
the SND land. The NDA boarding school was closed in 1980 and
later this same year, Bethany Retreat Center occupied its space.
During the middle 1980’s, due to declining NDA enrollment,
the Sisters of Notre Dame were asked to consider the option
of co-education. No Catholic high school for boys existed in
the county. After prayer and consultation, the Sisters decided
to address both issues: the declining enrollment and the
need for a co-ed high school.
Within this same time frame, the Cathedral Latin Alumni
Association suggested establishing a co-ed high school.
Eventually, on March 14, 1988 an affiliation agreement was
signed between the Sisters of Notre Dame and Cathedral Latin
Alumni Association Trustees, resulting in two strong traditions
of Notre Dame Academy and Cathedral Latin School uniting
to promote their shared values: educational excellence, a life
based upon Catholic faith, a strong commitment to achievement
in school activities and devotion to Mary.
A Catholic co-ed high school, owned and operated by the
Sisters of Notre Dame, was now available to families. As
always, some CL and NDA alumni felt, “It’s not my school
anymore.” Time, however, has healed many of those attitudes
as alumni witness the growth, energy and spirit stirring on
NDCL’s campus today.
1989-2008
At the cusp of a new decade, the Butternut pastures (where
cattle grazed and pigs were housed) became athletic fields.
In 1990, the McGarry gymnasium was constructed, and in
1998, Lion Stadium was built to meet the needs of the
growing athletic programs.
In 1992, the Geauga County Forestry Division thinned out
the woods, enabling hundreds of maple trees to grow and
trails to be blazed for cross country and other activities.
Property was purchased north of the football field and
dedicated as wetlands for preservation.
In 1996, the acreage owned by the Sisters of Notre Dame
The NDA boarding school closes and
later that same year, Bethany Retreat
Center occupies its space
March 14, 1988 an affiliation agreement
was signed between the Sisters of
Notre Dame and Cathedral Latin
Alumni Association Trustees, resulting
in a co-ed high-school: NDCL
McGarry gymnasium
constructed
The acreage along Bean
and Bass Lake. Funds
from the sale were used
to upgrade the utilities
and build a new sewage
disposal unit
1980
1988 1990
1996
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Seasons Spring 2008 7