WEST HAVEN, Conn. — With a new school year comes a new name for a Catholic institution in Fairfield.
The former Notre Dame Catholic High School is now being called Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University. The Diocese of Bridgeport sold the school to the university on July 1.
Nearby Sacred Heart University says that the two schools have a long history of partnering with each other and that they look forward to building upon that relationship as a new academic year begins. SHU President John Petillo explained how the new name was chosen.
“It was important that we keep Notre Dame’s identity and spirit while also acknowledging the new relationship with Sacred Heart,” Petillo said.
He added that SHU is excited to welcome Notre Dame’s students, faculty, staff and alumni into its family.
“We look forward to maximizing resources, making improvements and creating new and exciting opportunities for students at both Notre Dame and SHU,” Petillo said. “We welcome this change to ensure that students at both institutions continue to receive a top-level Catholic education that will prepare them for the future… I look forward to watching how this unfolds.”
Notre Dame Prep Principal Chris Cipriano said he is thrilled about the opportunities that the new relationship with SHU will offer the high school’s community, according to the university.
“As we build upon our existing partnership, I see tremendous opportunities for our staff and – most importantly – our students. I believe some of our best days truly lie ahead,” Cipriano said.
According to SHU, Cipriano is delighted to share that Notre Dame Prep has been named an International Baccalaureate School and is one of only several high schools in Connecticut to earn that designation. The International Baccalaureate is a global leader in international education and develops inquiring, knowledgeable, confident and caring young people, SHU says.
The designation will also enable school-aged students to take ownership in their own learning. It will guide them on the path to developing future-ready skills that will help them make a difference and succeed in a world that rapidly changes, according to the program.
“I am very proud of our students, faculty and staff for their hard work and commitment to social justice. This is not an easy designation to earn,” Cipriano said, according to SHU.
Previously, both institutions shared facilities, including athletic fields, SHU’s library and Chapel of the Holy Spirit, parking lot space at Notre Dame and more, the university says. For many years, SHU has also offered a 50% tuition scholarship to Notre Dame students who are accepted into the university.
Many Notre Dame graduates have attended SHU and received degrees there. The university says that since 2018, approximately 20% of each Notre Dame graduating class has gone on to study at SHU.
“We anticipate great work from this collaboration between the high school and university and look forward to a rewarding experience for Notre Dame students as they become a part of this strong Catholic university,” Bridgeport Diocese Bishop Frank Caggiano said, according to SHU.
Caggiano added that the relationship between Notre Dame and SHU is “deeply rooted in faith, generosity and aspiration to the people of our diocese” and that “the benefits that Sacred Heart University can bring to students and their families will be enormous.”
According to SHU, Petillo says that the university will invest at least $5 million in the high school and property over the next two years. This could lead to physical improvements, building infrastructure, technology upgrades and updated athletic facilities for the high school.
“We are two Catholic institutions that share a common mission and vision. I’m looking forward to working even more collaboratively and strengthening the long-standing academic and community relationship between our two schools,” Petillo said, according to SHU.
He noted that adding a successful high school like Notre Dame to the university’s portfolio is a natural expansion of its brand and commitment to Catholic education and the local community.
“We want to ensure that Notre Dame Prep is part of the community for many years to come,” Petillo said.
Editor's Note: Notre Dame Prep in Fairfield and Notre Dame High School in West Haven are separate institutions.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
