Notre Dame Discovery Days
Explore Your Interests.
Experience Notre Dame. 
Notre Dame Discovery Days are interactive academic preview events designed for prospective students and their families to experience Notre Dame firsthand. Each Discovery Day features a unique academic theme and provides students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on, faculty-led experiences that showcase the engaging, innovative, and student-centered learning that takes place every day at Notre Dame.
Throughout the morning, students will connect with current student ambassadors, explore our campus, and gain insight into the academic programs, opportunities, and experiences that make Notre Dame distinctive. Families will have the opportunity to hear from school leadership, meet members of the Admissions Team, and learn more about academics, student life, and the admissions process.
Think of Discovery Days as mini open houses with an academic focus—each one centered on a specific area of interest, allowing students to explore subjects they are passionate about while discovering new opportunities along the way.
Students are encouraged to attend with a friend and, most importantly, to step outside their comfort zone, try something new, and experience all that Notre Dame has to offer.
Arrival & Welcome | 8:00 a.m.Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Student Success Center, where students will be welcomed by the Admissions Team and Notre Dame student ambassadors. Parents are invited to join us for the opening portion of the program. Light refreshments, including coffee, juice, and water, will be available, and students will receive a grab-and-go snack. |
Welcome Program & Student Panel | 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Student Success Center, where students will be welcomed by the Admissions Team and Notre Dame student ambassadors. Parents are invited to join us for the opening portion of the program. Light refreshments, including coffee, juice, and water, will be available, and students will receive a grab-and-go snack. |
Discovery Day Experience | 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.Session I | 8:30 – 9:10 a.m. Session II | 9:15 – 9:55 a.m. Students will continue their Discovery Day experience through a second workshop, laboratory activity, demonstration, or collaborative project designed to further explore the day's academic theme. Each Discovery Day is designed to provide students with meaningful exposure to a specific academic program, discipline, or area of interest while experiencing Notre Dame's engaging and student-centered approach to learning. |
Campus Tour & Next Steps | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.The morning concludes with a student-led campus tour, offering an inside look at Notre Dame's classrooms, facilities, and student spaces. Before departing, families will receive an overview of the admissions process and upcoming opportunities to continue exploring Notre Dame. |
Choose your interests and register today
Explore Your Interests. Experience Notre Dame.
Each Discovery Day takes place from 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and offers students an engaging introduction to the opportunities that await at Notre Dame.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Think, create, design, and innovate through a hands-on STEM experience at Notre Dame. Students will explore engineering and mathematics through interactive faculty-led activities while experiencing our Center for Innovation. Participants will engage with cutting-edge technology including 3D printing, aviation and flight simulation, robotics, and more, discovering how STEM learning comes to life through creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application.
Featuring: Dr. Yoli Valencia, Engineering Program Director, and Mr. Dennis Yacono '07, Mathematics Department Chair
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Explore the science behind athletic performance, health, and wellness through Notre Dame's Sports, Exercise & Health Science program. Students will participate in a hands-on laboratory experience while examining topics such as anatomy, exercise physiology, human performance, and sports science. The morning also includes an inside look at Notre Dame Athletics, highlighting opportunities for student-athletes and the coaching philosophy that supports success both on and off the field.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Experience democracy in action through an engaging and interactive exploration of American government and civic responsibility. Through simulations, discussions, and hands-on activities, students will examine the electoral process, the foundations of government, and the importance of informed citizenship. This unique Election Day experience demonstrates how Notre Dame connects classroom learning to current events and real-world issues.
Featuring: Notre Dame Social Studies Faculty
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Discover the creativity, collaboration, and artistic expression that define the Fine Arts at Notre Dame. Students will participate in engaging workshops in visual arts, music, and theater while working alongside talented faculty and current students. Whether creating, performing, or exploring a new artistic passion, participants will experience the vibrant culture of the arts at Notre Dame.
Featuring: Mrs. Casey LaMonaca, Theater Director; Mr. Jon Bean, Music Program Director; and Mrs. Linda Dempsey, Art Teacher
Wednesday, January 20, 2027 | 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
For Admitted Students and Rolling Admission Applicants
Experience Notre Dame's signature approach to experiential learning through an immersive NDXL classroom experience. Students will collaborate, solve problems, think critically, and engage in hands-on learning that extends beyond traditional classroom instruction. This preview offers a firsthand look at one of Notre Dame's hallmark academic programs and the meaningful ways students connect their learning to the world around them.
Featuring: Notre Dame NDXL Faculty
