Notre Dame School in Santa Barbara has been selected for the 13th cohort of the Latino Enrollment Institute (LEI) at the University of Notre Dame.
The recognition comes at a pivotal time as the school begins to celebrate its 100th anniversary of Catholic Education, and experiences a dramatic rise in academic achievement under new leadership, the school said.
“Through bold initiatives and renewed vision, Notre Dame has strengthened its curriculum with Success for All, a literacy program driving significant reading gains, and Illustrative Mathematics, a problem-based approach connecting math to real-world applications,” the school said.
The innovations have led to marked progress, with 71% of students now reading at or above grade level, according to the school.
Participation in the LEI will provide principal Alec Gasca with a year of formation, mentorship, and collaboration with principals nationwide.
The program equips Catholic schools to implement strategic enrollment practices and create welcoming, culturally responsive environments for Latino families, one of the fastest-growing populations in Catholic education.
“As we celebrate our centennial, this recognition from the University of Notre Dame affirms the exciting transformation taking place at our school,” Gasca said.
“We are building a strong foundation for the next 100 years, rooted in faith, strengthened by academic excellence, and committed to serving every family in our community,” Gasca said. “We are bringing our legacy forward to serve Santa Barbara’s children.”
“The growth I’ve seen in my daughters’ learning has been incredible,” said M. Tovar, parent of a fifth-grader and a seventh-grader. “Notre Dame is equipping them with real-world tools and preparing them for a life built on a foundation of love, respect, and universal values.
“As Latinos, we care deeply about family, tradition and heritage,” Tovar said. “Sending my daughters to a Catholic school is a way to carry on the legacy that my grandparents and parents instilled in me, and I want to continue passing that on to them. It’s our job as parents to preserve and strengthen that tradition.”
For more, visit www.notredamesb.org.
