Notre Dame intentionally cultivates a culture of Education for Justice and Leadership (EJL) that is formed and sustained through mission-aligned programming and partnerships. Guided by gospel values, Catholic social teachings and the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community, this work expresses Notre Dame’s Catholic identity and advances the Notre Dame graduation outcomes: for students to become lifelong learners, spiritual seekers, justice advocates and community leaders.

Grade-Level, Interdisciplinary Field Trips

Meaningful content exploration is extended through hands-on learning beyond the classroom that engages students in life skills and perspective building. All students will participate in the following interdisciplinary excursions:

Environment Matters: Stewardship, Community and You

9th graders analyze how community choices balance environmental stewardship with social and economic needs during a visit to the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy in San Jose. The trip includes the application of concepts learned in Biology and Ethnic Studies classes. Content and life skills developed in this trip include:

• Community service
• Environmental sustainability
• Data analysis
• Field identification of adaptation
• Community and event planning
• Career exposure

Art Matters: Culture, Creativity and Society

10th graders explore the de Young Museum in San Francisco to analyze art and culture as they identify connections to their study of integrated humanities classes. The trip includes the application of concepts learned in visual arts and humanities classes. Content and life skills developed in this trip include:

• See-Think-Wonder strategy
• Critical thinking
• Art appreciation
• Global citizenship
• Cultural competency
• Museum etiquette

Identity Matters: Membership, Responsibility and Historical Stewardship

11th graders travel to Japantown to explore culture, religion and the stewardship of stories. The trip includes a case study of the local experience of Japanese citizens during WWII incarceration. It is connected to the English research project and the Peace and Social Justice course. Content and life skills developed in this trip include:

• Cultural stewardship
• Local historical case study
• Citizenship
• Survivor testimonial
• Cartography
• Public transportation

Democracy Matters: Action, Advocacy and the Common Good

12th graders collaborate to integrate their experiences with a call to participation in democracy. Students also learn advocacy skills from downtown agencies and community leaders. This in-house field trip prepares students for the Young Women’s Advocacy Summit. Content and life skills developed in this trip include:

• Democratic participation
• Advocacy strategies
• Self-reflection
• Networking
• Career exposure

School-Wide Programming 

Students experience signature programming, milestone celebrations and annual events within a culture of Education for Justice and Leadership. Examples include:

• Woman’s Place Project: 9th-grade interdisciplinary project and community exhibit
• Young Women’s Advocacy Summit: 12th-grade senior capstone presentation and advocacy event
• ND Reads: Annual assembly and programming related to Notre Dame’s community read and author visit program
• Women of Impact: Annual assembly and fundraising event focus on Notre Dame’s commitment to and celebration of women’s leadership

Partnerships

Collaborative partnerships on and off campus are critical to building and sustaining this culture. Through integrated efforts across groups on campus — such as the Mission & Ministry cohort, the Career & Life Success program and academic teams — intentionality and alignment ensure the impact of this work year after year.

Notre Dame’s EJL programming benefits from community partnerships that provide resources and opportunities to support this work. Through curricular partners like Facing History and Ourselves, community organizations like the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, and sponsors like Marvell, Notre Dame is proud to offer such distinctive opportunities to advance an education for justice and leadership.