The Early History
Notre Dame de Sion School of Kansas City is a private, independent Catholic school founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion in 1912. Theodore Ratisbonne, a man of Jewish heritage, came to Christianity through the study of philosophy. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1830 and founded the congregation of Notre Dame de Sion in Paris, France, around 1850, and because it owed its existence to Mary, the new religious order was given the name Notre Dame de Sion. Father Theodore’s desire was to build a community of “one heart and one soul.”

Move to North America
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion spread to many countries, setting up schools and orphanages for children of all faiths. The schools, orphanages, and order’s commitment was expressed in credo voiced by Father Marie Alphonse: “We must open wide our hearts and make no distinction between Latin and Greek, Moslem and Jew, but lovingly embrace all.” In 1892, the Sisters of Sion arrived in the United States. Four sisters came to the state of Maine and began the work of educating young children. As the number of sisters grew, so did their work. The sisters traveled to Canada and Brazil as well as Kentucky and to Marshall, Missouri, where they taught at Sion Academy until 1925.

Building the School
In 1912, Bishop Thomas Lillis invited seven of the sisters to Kansas City, Missouri. Two taught at the Annunciation School. The others began a French kindergarten and gave private sewing, music, and French lessons. From these simple beginnings, Notre Dame de Sion has flourished. Parents of the kindergartners saw that the education in French was exceptional and asked the sisters to continue teaching their children. Each year, a grade was added until their first high school class was graduated in 1923. The sisters continued managing and developing the institution, building their first campus in Kansas City’s beautiful and historic Hyde Park. Showing remarkable foresight regarding the development of the metropolitan area, they purchased land in 1962 and built the new high school campus on the new property in what would become south Kansas City. In 1968, the sisters invited lay members to serve on the Board of Trustees. The Board provided expert guidance and professional help. Since 1989, the Board has continued to manage and direct Notre Dame de Sion, while adhering to the philosophies and values established by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion.

Values Guide Sion
Notre Dame de Sion School of Kansas City is managed and operated by a lay Board, staff, faculty, and administration dedicated to the philosophy of Sion. The Sisters of Sion's “threefold commitment: to the Church, to the Jewish people, and to a world of justice, peace and love...” has been guiding Sion since its founding. Today, Notre Dame de Sion, one of 17 Sion schools worldwide, is Kansas City’s international school and provides students of all faiths and cultures a place where they can succeed in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Generations of Kansas Citians can attest to the importance of what Notre Dame de Sion continues to provide our community and the world.