At the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, student well-being is more than an initiative—it’s a community-wide commitment. ND Cares, the Academy’s holistic approach to wellness, recognizes that emotional, social, and academic health are all interconnected. Its mission is to create an environment where every student can build resilience and thrive, supported by caring adults and peers. 

Head of School Dr. Laura Hotchkiss, who established the program, understood that fostering student wellness requires a team approach. That’s why ND Cares not only supports students but also equips faculty, staff, and parents with the resources they need to guide them. 

A Comprehensive Approach to Wellness 

At the heart of ND Cares is a dedicated team of counselors and learning support specialists who provide individualized, high-quality services while working to reduce the stigma around asking for help. Over the past five years, the team has integrated conversations about mental health into every corner of campus life—on the field, in classrooms, at lunch, and even online. 

“Our goal is to ensure everyone feels equipped to support young people’s mental health, helping them build resilience and thrive.”

Laura Schmidt, Director of Student Support and Well-Being 

In 2022, the Academy launched a three-year partnership with The Jed Foundation, a national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens and young adults. Using community-wide data, Notre Dame developed a strategic plan to meet the specific needs of students, families, and educators. 

“When we resurveyed with the Jed Foundation, we saw significant growth in our students feeling like they have a support system on campus and that they know where to go if they or a friend needs support,” Schmidt explained. 

One simple yet powerful example of this effort is the wellness cards placed in bathrooms and around campus. These cards connect students directly to their counselors, the ND Mental Health Resource Guide, and emergency resources such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 

Building Community Through Care

ND Cares also encourages the community to celebrate kindness and connection. Events such as Unity Day in October and World Kindness Day in November invite students, faculty, and staff to recognize acts of compassion. Handwritten notes, shoutouts on sticky notes, and other small gestures help foster an uplifting culture of support. 

“It reminds us that we are not alone and that we are seen in this community. When we celebrate and highlight these moments, they will continue to grow.”

Laura Schmidt

Student-Centered Support 

Recognizing that well-being looks different at every stage, ND Cares tailors its programs for Middle and Upper School students. 

In Middle School, a dedicated counselor works exclusively with grades six through eight, leading one-on-one sessions, group interventions, and a seminar class. Through a partnership with The Social Institute, students engage with the #WinAtSocial curriculum, which addresses digital citizenship and social-emotional learning with timely themes such as “Cyberback” and “Play to Your Core.” 

In Upper School, each student is paired with a counselor beginning in ninth grade, ensuring consistent guidance through all four years. Programming continues to evolve in response to data and feedback, with a focus on relationship-building as the foundation of care. 

Partnerships That Strengthen the Mission 

Beyond campus, ND Cares partners with organizations like SpeakUp!, founded by ND alumna Martie Gillin Bernicker ’85, which fosters honest conversations between students, parents, and educators. Two learning support specialists also play an integral role, collaborating with faculty and the Athletic Department to ensure that students’ academic, emotional, and personal needs are addressed in a holistic way. 

This comprehensive approach reflects the Academy’s deep commitment to nurturing the whole student—mind, body, and spirit. 

Looking Ahead

The upcoming school year will see the launch of the ND Cares Leadership Team, a group of students dedicated to evolving the program to meet the needs of their peers. Their first project will be a Mental Wellness Morning in partnership with Minding

Your Mind, featuring a presentation and small-group discussions led by students to foster meaningful peer-to-peer support. 

“When one of us is struggling, I want our students to feel empowered to reach out, support their sisters, and connect them with the resources they need. That is what it means to be a community.” 

Laura Schmidt 

With strong systems of support in place and a culture rooted in compassion, Notre Dame students are empowered to care for themselves and one another—both within the Gates and beyond.