Three cheers! Notre Dame West Haven raises the curtain on its inaugural coed school year

By Rick Menning

(Editor's Note: To return to my alma mater -- where I studied in those classrooms and sang a solo as a senior in front of a packed audience in that gymnasium -- and spend the entire school day reporting on this historic occasion from start to finish was a thrill of a lifetime.)

WEST HAVEN, CT -- The cool morning air and gentle breeze provided a refreshing backdrop to an atmosphere of exhilaration and anticipation on the campus of Notre Dame High School.

History was unfolding outside the student entrance as the initial arrival of some of the 50 girls (40 freshmen and 10 sophomores) joined the boys in walking up the steps and through The Commons as early as an hour before their first advisory.

Notre Dame's transformation into a coed institution was officially beginning as the students unloaded their backpacks and engaged in conversation at their lockers.

LOUD AND PROUD: Notre Dame High School of West Haven's first-ever cheerleading squad greets students arriving for the opening day of classes. The introductory festivities marked ND's inaugural year as a coed institution. (Photo courtesy of Alycia Sandella.)

The sun glistened down on the "school on the hill" throughout a very memorable Sept. 2, 2025, a day that began with the outdoor reception as the campus came alive and the student arrivals were greeted with the sounds of the Notre Dame Fight Song and When the Saints Go Marching In blaring through the speakers.

Seniors lined up at the entrance to welcome everyone back from summer vacation while a group of girls were already making their presence felt even before the first period of classes.

The Green Knights' first-ever cheerleading squad was performing their various routines as cars and buses arrived with members of the classes of 2026-2029.

Mission is accomplished

"This is an extraordinarily special day," said Robert Curis, president of Notre Dame High School which was founded by the Brothers of the Holy Cross in 1946. "After 80 years, to be out here and to see our community expanding and continuing the mission of the Brothers is very exciting."

Curis was among the group of faculty and administrators who greeted the students as they prepared to welcome another school year.

"Knowing the history of this school and what the Brothers have established -- and all that it means for the Congregation of the Holy Cross -- it is our commitment to be here for years to come," Curis continued.

Once the outdoor festivities concluded, it was time for the school day to get underway with various events for the upper classes and period one of studies for the incoming freshmen.

GRAND ENTRANCE: Notre Dame West Haven student Rosalyn Chambasis-Vallejo is well-equipped for her first day of classes as she prepares to enter The Commons as part of the historic welcoming festivities. (Photo courtesy of Alycia Sandella.)

Walking the suddenly quiet hallways, the glances inside the classrooms revealed the true historical coed significance of this day as boys and girls studied together without any fanfare and with the common goal of achieving educational excellence.

"Research shows that a coed school carries with it particular strengths like improved GPAs and more diversity of ideas in the classroom...so I think this expansion is going to have an immediate impact in that area," Curis noted. "The tenor and tone are going to change and it's all going to create an improved student atmosphere in the building."

That atmosphere was certainly evident during lunchtime as both the boys and girls enjoyed great camaraderie and plenty of smiles.

As the class sessions continued in the afternoon, students transitioned from all the excitement over the return to school to a more subdued awareness of their responsibilities and need to focus on the curriculum.

For both the boys and the girls, that educational workload centered around the traditional usual subjects associated with college preparatory studies.

Positive first impressions

For freshman Michaela Madonick, day one at Notre Dame was filled with memorable moments.

Add to that her being thrilled to be a part of the school's historic coed Class of 2029 and the smiles are understandable as she shared her feelings following her last class on a Tuesday to be cherished for a lifetime.

"Everything went very smoothly. We had three days of orientation before today, so I think all the students were prepared extremely well," said Michaela, who previously attended St. Rita's School in Hamden.

The Woodbridge resident, who plans to play both ice hockey and lacrosse as girls sports prepares to flourish, is taking honors classes as she builds her path toward academic and athletic success.

"It's a very exciting opportunity to be part of the first coed class, and I'm just hoping that we make a good impact," Michaela said. "We also want to set up for the girls who will be here in the coming years that they have the same good experiences."

Girls' sports on the horizon

One very significant addition to the overall landscape at Notre Dame West Haven is girls' sports, which Curis said will hit the ground running.

The inaugural Green Knights girls' volleyball season gets underway next week, and the home debut of the cheerleading squad will take place on Friday, Sept. 19 when the Notre Dame varsity football team hosts Amity for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

In other news on the athletic front, Athletic Director Jason Shea confirmed that Notre Dame will be teaming up with Trumbull in girls' ice hockey and there will also be a girls' basketball team this winter.

There will also be a coop situation in softball as ND will join Stratford for a spring schedule on the diamond.