Peoria Notre Dame school traces its roots back to 1863, when Father Abram Ryan and seven Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet founded a parochial school to educate young Catholic women in Peoria that would become Academy of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, known usually by the shorter name, Academy of Our Lady.

Bergan High School was established in 1964 in what was then north Peoria near the intersection of Sheridan Road and Glen Avenue.

The school was established as co-ed (though classes were taught segregated by sex), contrary to Spalding and Academy which were separate at the time.

Notre Dame's boys' basketball team used the gymnasium on the former Spalding campus north of downtown Peoria until the 2005-2006 school year.

[8] The estimated $60 million required would be funded largely through a capital campaign and private donations, the diocese, and potentially other parishes in nearby counties.

[9] Beginning in the 2010–2011 school year many changes were implemented, including a trimester schedule, a house system, and a one-to-one laptop program.

[11] Peoria Notre Dame sponsors both boys and girls sports which compete under the nickname of the "Fighting Irish".