Frequently Asked Questions
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School
2015-2016
• Who are the Sisters of Notre Dame?
In 1849, two young teachers in Coesfeld, Germany began providing a home where neglected
children could be loved and cared for while they attended school. Hilligonde Wolbring as Sister
Maria Aloysia, and Elizabeth Kuhling as Sister Maria Ignatia began their novitiate on October 1,
1850, and the Sisters of Notre Dame of Coesfeld were founded.
Since its founding, the Congregation has grown to its present membership of 2000 sisters
ministering worldwide in nineteen countries, 700 of whom serve in the United States. Notre
Dame Education Center is one of four provincial (regional) centers in the United States. By
2020, all four provinces in the United States will be one province.
• Explain the term “sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame.
The sponsorship of a particular apostolate or ministry is a formal relationship between a
recognized Catholic organization (The Sisters of Notre Dame) and a legally formed entity (NDES
and NDCL) entered into for the sake of promoting and sustaining the mission of the Church.
Sisters of Notre Dame are responsible for ensuring the school’s fidelity to its Catholic identity and
to the educational vision and principles of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Their role is one of
influence, not governance.
• Who is the governing body for Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School?
The Board of Members and the Notre Dame Schools Board of Directors presently serve as the
governing body for NDCL and NDES. Five persons constitute the Board of Members. On July 1,
2015 a new board, The Notre Dame Schools Board assumed their role of governance replacing
the two previously established separate boards for Notre Dame Elementary School and Notre
Dame-Cathedral Latin. The Board numbers 24 members, three of whom are Sisters of Notre
Dame. The Board Chair is Lynne Ernes. The current board members are alumni of Notre Dame
Academy, Cathedral Latin School, NDES and NDCL, current and former parents and other
professionals from the business community. Each possesses expertise in specific areas relative to
the board’s areas of responsibility. The Board of Directors sole hire is the President of Notre
Dame Schools (NDES/NDCL).
• Why did NDCL implement the president-principal model?
Recognizing the need for a stronger leadership model as the challenges of school growth
became more complex, NDCL implemented this model of leadership in July, 2006. Seventy
percent of all private schools or those sponsored by a religious congregation (such as NDCL)
have this leadership model in place. This nationwide trend is increasing due to the complexities
and challenges of Catholic high school administration, marketing, and fundraising.
The president’s primary areas of responsibility include NDCL’s Catholic identity and mission, the
implementation of the educational vision and mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Board
leadership, strategic planning, fiscal management, alumni affairs, marketing and admissions,
public representation, fundraising and all advancement efforts.
The principal is responsible for academic and student affairs, student services, certain aspects of
admissions, campus ministry, technology, the teaching faculty and support staff. Athletic
directors and moderators of all extracurricular activities report to the principal.
• Name significant events in the history of the school:
1878
1915
1916
1922
1963
1979
1988
1990
1991
2003
2006
2008-2015
2013
2015
2015
2015 -2016
Notre Dame Academy established at 18th and Superior, Cleveland
Notre Dame Academy relocates to Ansel Road, Cleveland.
Founding of Cathedral Latin School
The Marianists accept the Bishop’s invitation to operate Cathedral Latin.
Notre Dame Academy relocates to Munson Township
Cathedral Latin graduates its last class
NDCL is formed with the signing of the Affiliation Agreement between the
Sisters of Notre Dame and the Cathedral Latin Alumni Trustees.
Notre Dame Academy graduates its last class in Munson Township
First graduation class of Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School
Governing Board of Directors established with a lay Board Chair
President-Principal model of leadership implemented
First comprehensive capital campaign completed: Artificial turf and lights on
Lozick Field at Lion Stadium; six tennis courts, west parking lot, remodeling of the
cafeteria; significant upgrades for technology throughout the building; lobby and
main hallway; Pat & Janet O’Brien Center for the Performing Arts featuring the
Sam J. Frankino Stage, the †Eugene T. Baker ’37 gym, and repurposing of the
library into the Sisters of Notre Dame Learning Commons.
NDCL celebrates its 25th anniversary year
NDCL Class of 2015 is the 25th graduation class from NDCL.
Notre Dames Schools (NDES/NDCL) Board of Directors established July 1, 2015.
Design and renovation of the NDCL chapel
• What is the make-up of the faculty and staff at NDCL?
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Administrators – 4
Campus Ministers – 2
School Psychologist – .5
College and Guidance Counselors – 3.5
Instructional Staff – 59
Support Staff – 23
Sisters of Notre Dame – 7
• What is the scope of NDCL’s extra-curricular programs?
Students participate in a wide range of clubs from Mock Trial, Robotics, Academic Decathlon,
Science Olympiad, Drama, Band, Mane Page and Yearbook. There are thirty-two varsity teams
and a total of forty-nine other teams which include JV and freshmen teams. Multiple campus
ministry activities are available including, but not limited to, Students for Peace and Justice
(STPJ), Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer ministry, tutoring and immersion trips to West Virginia,
Central America and Jamaica.
• What are a few significant statistics about NDCL in 2015-16?
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678 young men and women enrolled in grades 9–12
99% of 2015 graduates are college bound
$13.5 million in scholarships earned by graduates of 2015
88% Catholic
Average Class Size: 20; smaller on upper levels.
Ratio of boys to girls: 47:53
Active, involved campus ministry and service learning opportunities
International students from China and Germany
Summer internships at the Cleveland Clinic awarded annually
• Enrollment by County:
39% Geauga
33% Lake
27% Cuyahoga
1% Ashtabula, Portage, Summit
• Diversity: 10.5%
This includes students who are African -American, Asian, Multi – Racial, Hispanic, and
Native American.
• Financial Assistance Programs
Academic Scholarships: 15% receive academic scholarships and leadership awards.
Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes the leadership potential of the top scorers
on the NDCL placement test and offers each top scorer a 4-year renewable partial
scholarship.
The Leadership Impact Award is a unique opportunity for a partial scholarship which is
offered to prospective incoming freshman who are among the top 10% of scorers on the
placement examination.
Need-based awards
• 38% receive need-based tuition assistance.
• Awards are based on the FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment online application and
the admissions application submitted by the family.
• Ed Choice, tuition grants from the State of Ohio, are available to students residing in
underperforming school districts.
• How does the legacy of Notre Dame Academy, Cathedral Latin and NDCL live on
at NDCL?
• 21% of the students are Legacy Families of Notre Dame Academy, Cathedral Latin
and NDCL.
• 11 are children of NDCL alum.
• 29% of students are brothers or sisters of NDCL graduates
For additional information, visit ndcl.org.
Sister Jacquelyn Gusdane, SND
This year Sister Jacquelyn begins her ninth year as President of Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin
School and her first year as President of Notre Dame School which includes Notre Dame
Elementary and NDCL. With a background that is rich, varied and extensive, Sister Jacquelyn
brings both teaching and administrative experience to our schools. These include: Notre Dame
Academy (Chardon), John F. Kennedy (Warren), Elyria Catholic, and Regina High Schools. Sister
Jacquelyn has also served in administrative capacities in Diocesan Office in Raleigh, NC, the
Pastoral Theology Center at Notre Dame College, the former St. Joseph Christian Life Center,
Cleveland and the Leadership Team of the Chardon Province of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Sister Jacquelyn earned her undergraduate degree at Notre Dame College and graduate
degrees from the University of Minnesota and John Carroll University. She was awarded
certificates in educational administration and supervision from John Carroll, in spiritual direction
from Creighton University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Graduate Theological
Foundation.
In her various ministerial roles, Sr. Jacquelyn has had the blessing of traveling to and sharing in
the life and culture Germany, Italy, Brazil, India, China, Israel, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. In
2010 she was selected by Fulbright Japan to participate in an exchange program in Japan
focusing on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Sister Jacquelyn has also had
extensive opportunities to serve on the Boards of Directors for various non-profits.
Sister Jacquelyn believes her roles of service, networking, educational and travel opportunities
are invaluable assets that augment and enrich her call to advance the mission of Notre Dame
Schools rooted in the educational vision and principles of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Joseph A. Waler
This year marks Joseph A. Waler’s 36th year of service to Catholic secondary education.
Originally a religion teacher, Mr. Waler also taught English and served as a director of
development and admissions. After 10 years as an administrator at Trinity High School, Mr.
Waler was appointed principal of Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School in 2006.
Mr. Waler earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in religious studies from John Carroll
University. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Cleveland State
University. Mr. Waler has served on several national committees for the National Catholic
Educational Association (NCEA). He recently served as a member of NCEA’s Secondary Schools
Department Executive Committee.
Mr. Waler leads accreditation review teams at Catholic high schools throughout the state for
the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association. He also serves as a quality assurance review
team member for AdvancED, the parent organization of the North Central Association. For
several years, Mr. Waler taught popular graduate courses for educators through Notre Dame
College.
In the summer of 2001, he was among a group of five Catholic school educators nationwide
selected by the NCEA and Catholic Relief Services to travel to Ghana in West Africa. Later that
year, he spent three weeks in Japan as a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar. In 2006, he was
selected by the Korea Foundation to participate in a symposium on Korean culture, history, and
education in Seoul. In 2009, he and NDCL President Sister Jacquelyn Gusdane were selected by
the College Board to travel to China to explore possibilities for Chinese language and culture
studies at NDCL. In 2012, Mr. Waler traveled to Coesfeld, Germany, with Sr. Jacquelyn to
understand and experience firsthand the roots and charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Mr. Waler is married to Nancy, who is also a Catholic school educator.