List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• Q. Where is Notre Dame located?

  Notre Dame is located in the village of Wilcox, 50 km south of Regina, the provincial capital of the province of Saskatchewan. Google Map

• Q. How long has Notre Dame been operating?

  In 1920, the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis opened the Notre Dame of the Prairies Convent and St. Augustine elementary and high school for boys and girls. In 1927, Pere Athol Murray—for whom the college is named—arrived and devoted his life to building the school as we know it today.

• Q. What grades are offered at Notre Dame?

  Notre Dame is a co-educational, boarding school for students in Grades 9 through 12.

• Q. How many students attend Notre Dame, and where do they come from?

  Approximately 300 students attend Notre Dame annually from across Canada and around the world. International students typically count 40 to 50 and have represented countries such as United States, China, Mexico, United Kingdom, Austria, France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic, Russia, Japan,  Australia and much more.

• Q. How many students live in boarding?

  Notre Dame is primarily a boarding school. Over 85% of the student population is 7-day boarding students. Students who live within 80 km of Wilcox are eligible for a 5-day boarding option. Students who live in the village of Wilcox and surrounding area can attend as day students.

• Q. What is the average class size?

  Average class size is 16 students. Some mandatory courses will have larger class sizes while some electives, particularly at the grade 11 and 12 level, will have smaller class sizes.

• Q. What is Notre Dame looking for in its students?

  At Notre Dame, we are seeking well-rounded students who want to strive to reach their potential and are ready to be challenged academically, physically and spiritually. Students must show interest in being involved in a number of activities and prepared to contribute to boarding, student and community life.

• Q. How well do students do academically?

  Notre Dame is a university preparatory school. Students are challenged and supported to reach their potential in the classroom. In the last five years, 95% of our graduates have been eligible to attend post-secondary institutions. Our graduates attend universities across Canada and the US. We offer SAT and ACT testing and support for our graduates who are pursuing studies and scholarships in the US. Historically, academic and athletic scholarships typically exceed $1 Million annually.

• Q. What sports does Notre Dame offer?

  Notre Dame offers 14 competitive athletic programs including hockey, football, volleyball, basketball (high school and post-graduate), rugby, soccer, wrestling, golf, baseball, softball, badminton, ultimate frisbee, cross country and track and field. We encourage our student-athletes to participate in multiple sports and it is common for many of our students to play three or four sports during the year. Many students come to Notre Dame for a specific sport and graduate excelling in another sport, often with scholarship opportunities.

• Q. What other activities do the students participate in?

  We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities and clubs including art, choral, music, drama, multimedia, and outdoor education. A student activities coordinator organizes weekend outings and social activities including dances, intramural sports, and trips to Regina and surrounding areas.

• Q. What is boarding life like?

  Student dormitories are organized by grade and most students share a room with three to four students. Each dorm floor has a student lounge with TV and light kitchen facilities. Dorms are supervised by a full-time House Parent with the assistance of four to five student House Leaders. Students are responsible for dorm jobs including cleaning their rooms and common areas. Meals and snacks are served in our Varsity Dining Hall.

• Q. Is the philosophy of Pere Murray still practised by staff and students today at Notre Dame?

  Students and staff are required to give freely of their time to add value to the school, the village of Wilcox and the surrounding communities. Each student is required to provide 20 hours of community service during a school year and 10 additional hours of Works of Mercy for specific groups in need. Hounds for Humanity is a volunteer senior student outreach group whose mission is to go "above and beyond" the required Works of Mercy program.

• Q. Is financial assistance available to help families who need support to attend Notre Dame?

  Notre Dame is committed to working with families residing in Canada or the USA who require support to make a Notre Dame education a reality for their child.  Each year financial aid is available. Although financial need is the primary basis for this decision, the student's performance and potential contribution to the school are also taken into consideration. Grants are funded by charitable donations from alumni, parents, staff and friends of the school. For further information and to apply, please see Financial Assistance Information.

• Q. Who are some of your notable Alumni and Staff?

  Notre Dame has gained worldwide recognition for producing elite level student-athletes, however, its alumni have also achieved greatness in business, science, medicine and history. Some notable alumni include:

  • Dr Olive Dickason, B.A., M.A., PhD – author, researcher, Canada's leading authority on aboriginal history, Order of Canada Member
  • Dr Ray Rajotte, PhD – key contributor in the development of the Edmonton protocol, a cure for diabetes, Order of Canada Member
  • Gerald Maier, O.C., C.D. – Chairman Emeritus TransCanada Pipelines, Order of Canada Member
  • Daryl Kelly – youngest Canadian to successfully scale Mount Everest
  • Jason Kenney – Member of Parliament (Calgary SE)
  • Alice Henderson – Canadian Author
  • Derek Prohar M.M.V. – Awarded the Medal of Military Valour
  • Gordon Currie – Order of Canada Member
  • Brian Felesky – Order of Canada Member
  • Bill Hunter – Order of Canada Member

• Q. Who are some of your notable NHL Alumni?

  Over 200+ Hounds have been drafted or signed in the NHL. Key NHL alumni include Wendell Clark, Russ Courtnall, Curtis Joseph, Rod Brind'Amour, Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Braydon Coburn, Jordan Eberle, Tyler Myers, Morgan Rielly and Jaden Schwartz.

• Q. Can I visit the campus?

  The Admission Team schedules personal campus day visits throughout the school year including the summer. During your personal campus day visit, you and your family will experience a day in the life of a Notre Dame Hound. To schedule your visit please contact the Admission Coordinator at 1-306-732-1203 or nd.admissions@notredame.ca