Religious education addresses how students view themselves and others in their social and religious contexts. In turn, this helps students understand and respond to the world around them. Religious education courses help students become self-motivated problem solvers equipped with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to face their changing world with confidence. This is accomplished through practical experience, discussion, debate, research, reflection, prayer and discernment, and the development of critical and creative thinking skills. 

Moreover, religious education courses are sensitive to the rhythms of the liturgical seasons as well as incorporating experiential opportunities for prayer and reflection. Indeed, such opportunities will help students progress from a simple acquisition of religious knowledge (the “what”), to a consideration of its meaning (the “so what”) to an appropriation of that meaning into their lives (the “now what”). This dynamic informs the structure of the strands across all grades and programs. Excert from the Secondary Religious Education Policy Documents

Each year of high school, you are required to take one (1) religion course for a total of at least four (4) to be eligible for graduation. These are the courses available at Notre Dame and the pathways available.