The sisters began to admit them, it is believed, at the urging of Cardinal James Gibbons for the convenience of some Baltimore families.

[3] In 2010, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary on the Hampton Lane campus with a parade of students and a Mass led by Jesuit Father James McAndrews.

Students, wearing the traditional uniform including the blue dress, blazer and saddle shoes, processed into the Mass carrying each class banner the school has hosted since its move to the Hampton Lane campus.

[4][5] An admission test and interview is required to apply to Notre Dame Preparatory School for both the Middle and Upper Levels.

[7] Notre Dame Preparatory School offers more than 160 courses in core and elective subjects all of which are geared towards college preparation.

Courses include mathematics, science, English, history, religion and foreign language, visual and performing arts, physical education and swimming.

The school offers 23 Advanced Placement courses in English, language, mathematics, science and the fine arts.

[12][13] In 2014, the Notre Dame Prep Varsity Volleyball team swept Archbishop Spalding in the IAAM A Conference championships.

A few key aspects of joining the arts at Notre Dame is their mission to cultivate intellectual growth, personal development and freedom of any form of expression.

The music department offers activities such as Band, Orchestra, Piano Lab, Chorus and Guitar for students.

Gym Meet is a tradition where high school students compete in the categories of March, Song, Aerobics, and Dance for the Silver Cup.

The committees, under the supervision of the Gym Meet Captain, create routines in the categories of dance, march, aerobics and song.

(In the case of a tie, the winner of the poster category, which is revealed prior to the weekend competition, is awarded the silver cup.)

Walking under the gateway is a recent school tradition that marks the entrance and exit of students to the NDP community.

Incoming students walk through the arch toward the school to mark their entrance into the Notre Dame Prep community.

Similarly, on graduation day, seniors walk under the arch toward Hampton Lane, symbolizing the end of their journey at NDP.

Other traditions include Tree Trim, Field Day, retreats, Senior New York City Trip, Coffee House, and Penny Queen.

The money from Coffee House and Penny Queen goes to benefit Notre Dame's sister school in El Salvador, Ignatio Ellacuria.