Notre Dame History

Notre Dame High School, located in Salinas, California, is a diocesan Catholic high school that has educated young women in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito County for more than 50 years.

Notre Dame was founded in 1951 when it was the girls’ division of Palma High School, under the direction of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. As a diocesan co-instructional school staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Congregation of Christian Brothers, the enrollment increased steadily. During the 1964-65 school year, the school separated, and the girls moved to a new campus at 455 Palma Drive and retained the name Notre Dame High School.

A close relationship continues to exist between the two schools. Activities, such as dances, extra-curricular activities, sports, homecoming, Associated Student Body (ASB), drama, band, yearbook, and a yearly event are still conducted jointly between Palma and Notre Dame.