A Guide to the Back-to-School Guide
Welcome back Notre Dame! Soon school will be in full swing, but before that happens, here is some much-needed information about the new schedule.
On Wednesday, July 9, an email from Notre Dame San Jose Communications was sent out to families. In it, was the annually awaited first part of the Back-to-School Guide for the 2025-2026 school year.
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Head of School Ashley Rae Mathis said that at the end of July, families will begin receiving the weekly newsletter communications. She also linked a calendar with all the important dates for the upcoming school year, the 2025-2026 Important Calendar Dates.
Student schedules were sent out at the end of June, so if you haven't yet, be sure to take a look.
Beyond Rae Mathis’s memo is a checklist.
The first day of school.
On Wednesday, Aug. 13, students will have classes Block 1, Block 2, Block 3, and Block 4. More details about times, breaks and an assembly can be found in the guide. Don't forget, students are required to wear their formal uniform on the first day!
You don’t want to get dress-coded!
Every year, there is confusion about the school uniform. Ensure you are informed by checking out the fourth page of the guide, here.
Freshmen, listen up!
You will officially be on campus before the rest of us. Tuesday Aug. 12 is your orientation, and from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. you will meet your classmates and get a feel for what your ND journey will be like.
Yearbook ready!
Depending on which day a student’s free block lands on, they will get to take their school photo on either Tuesday, Aug. 19, or Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Tech!
At Notre Dame Students supply their own primary device, which are used for classes and all school related activities. More information is available on the guide.
Time to go shopping.
Every year Notre Dame supplies students with a list of general and class-specific supplies that will be needed. That link is here.
Notre Dame also has a list of textbooks that will be needed for classes. The textbook website link is here.
Summer homework?!
Depending on classes taken, students will have a combination of summer reading and work that is expected to be completed. The summer reading list can be found here. The summer work by the academic department can be found on the Notre Dame San Jose Student Start Page, linked here.
Parents and Guardians, you have homework too!
On PowerSchool, Notre Dame requires families to submit various forms. More information can be found here. A step-by-step guide is provided by the school.
Sports are in full spring!
Athletes, the offseason is officially over and tryouts for the fall sports begin the same week that school starts. All fall sports tryouts will take place starting Aug. 11. Later in August there will be a parent information night for the fall athletics program. Specifics about tryout times and locations can be found on the fifth page of the guide, here.
Although school is starting in less than two weeks, there is plenty of time to get prepared. Feel free to look back at this guide, and check emails frequently for any new information.
See you when school starts.
