At Sion, going to school is about much more than just the curriculum being taught in class. Our student life strives to educate the whole person by being intentional about how and what we teach both in the classroom and beyond.
Sion offers comprehensive academic and extracurricular programs that ensure the development of the whole person - socially, intellectually, physically and spiritually. The variety of clubs, athletic teams and other activities available provide endless opportunities for a Sion student to become part of a group, discover new and diverse experiences and develop leadership potential.
Daily Schedule
School begins at 8:45 AM, which was a change in recent years in alignment with studies that show a later school start time significantly improves teenage sleep duration, mental health, and academic performance. Dismissal is at 3:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Thursdays, students are dismissed early at 2:30 PM for professional development.
9th Grade Sample Schedules
| Honors Courses | Academic Courses |
|---|---|
1ST HOUR | 8:45-9:35 a.m. | Algebra I Honors 2ND HOUR | 9:40-10:25 a.m. | Spanish I Honors 3RD HOUR | 10:30-11:15 a.m. | Global Humanities STUDY HALL | 11:20-11:45 a.m. LUNCH | 11:45-12:10 p.m. 4TH HOUR | 12:15-1:00 p.m. | Rooted in Sion and Christian Scriptures 5TH HOUR | 1:05-1:50 p.m. | English I Honors 6TH HOUR | 1:55-2:40 p.m. | Biology I Honors 7TH HOUR | 2:45-3:30 p.m. | Dimensions in Visual Arts | 1ST HOUR | 8:45-9:35 a.m. | Algebra I 2ND HOUR | 9:40-10:25 a.m. | English I 3RD HOUR | 10:30-11:15 a.m. | Biology I STUDY HALL | 11:20-11:45 a.m. LUNCH | 11:45-12:10 p.m. 4TH HOUR | 12:15-1:00 p.m. | Global Humanities 5TH HOUR | 1:05-1:50 p.m. | Rooted in Sion and Christian Scriptures 6TH HOUR | 1:55-2:40 p.m. | World Language 7TH HOUR | 2:45-3:30 p.m. | Second Elective Choice |
Lunch Program
Notre Dame de Sion High School is committed to developing lifelong wellness and serving food that promotes healthy eating. Lunches are prepared onsite daily using fresh ingredients by GROW, Kitchen + Kids. Jackie Kincaid (1991 alumna) founded GROW, K + K after seeing the need to nourish, and in turn, educate students on healthy unprocessed foods. GROW, K + K is passionate about creating healthy, balanced, made-from-scratch school lunches, paying close attention to the ingredients, and is dedicated to sourcing from local producers including Fairway Meat Market and Farm to Market Bread. Families can feel confident that each meal is prepared fresh using quality ingredients, with balanced nutrition and attention to value.
GROW, Kitchen + Kids operates a peanut-free kitchen. If you have severe medical food allergies or concerns, please email jackie@growkitchenandkids.com.
The high school's daily lunch is $6.50. In addition to the daily hot lunch entree, students have the option to visit the salad and sandwich bar. Microwaves are available in the dining room for students who bring their lunch from home.
Uniforms
Notre Dame de Sion students wear a uniform in order to create a sense of school pride and unity, equity among peers, and to simplify daily routines so that learning can be the top priority.
| Uniform Guidelines |
| On normal school days students wear either a purple or white Sion polo with either our Sion skirt or pants. Any Sion sweater, uniform-approved jacket, outerwear, and senior polos are approved. On designated Dress Uniform Days students are required to wear either their purple sweater, or black sweater with their uniform polo and approved uniform skirt or approved gray slacks on these special days. A detailed outline of our Uniform Guidelines can be found here. |
| Uniform Purchasing Information |
| SchoolBelles Uniform is our uniform provider. You may shop online with our school code S3245. SchoolBelles Uniform Customer Service can help you with any questions you have and with phone purchases. Customer Service can be reached through their website or toll-free at 1-888-637-3037. |
Traditions
The Sion community fosters a sense of belonging through many longstanding beloved traditions that began with the first graduating class in 1923, and through many “newer” traditions that have been established as our school has evolved. These traditions earmark significant milestones for our students, offer a right-of-passage for others, and provide our graduates with life-long memories that will forever unite them with all Sion alum.
| Freshmen Beanies |
| Each year the seniors welcome the incoming ninth grade class by creating personalized headwear which is presented to our new students at our “Beanie Ceremony” at the beginning of the school year. Creativity and school spirit abound as each senior mentor presents their custom beanie to the Freshman students one by one. |
| Maisons |
| Maisons are all about community, connection, and tradition. Each Maison brings students from all grade levels together, led by a faculty member, to focus on team building, social-emotional learning, and having fun. Students stay in the same Maison throughout their time at Sion, building lasting relationships and growing into leadership roles as they move from freshman to senior year. Maison meet a few times a month - freshmen will connect with their maison during orientation. |
| Field Day/Storm Stomp |
| On Field Day One day each fall, we spend a half-day on campus having fun with ice cream, dance parties, sidewalk chalk and culminating in our Sion color run! Our all-school student led fundraiser, Storm Stomp also takes place on field day for teams that choose to participate. Storm Stomp is an obstacle course relay on the Sion Athletic Field where teams fundraise for student scholarships and compete to win prizes - all in the name of sisterhood and fun! |
| Junior Ring Ceremony |
| The Notre Dame de Sion High School Ring Ceremony is a special tradition for both our junior and senior classes. The NDS ring was designed by Cartier in France in 1927 to be cast in yellow gold with six pearls. The ring bears the Sion insignia that unites all members of the Sion community, and the six pearls represent the six “pearls of wisdom” that we hope to instill in all of our graduates. At our annual Ring Ceremony, this ring is presented to each member of the junior class by a member of the senior class or possibly a family member(s) who is a Sion Alumna(e). The ceremony celebrates the transfer of school leadership from the senior class to the junior class. |
| Senior Graduation |
| Our senior class celebrates their graduation ceremony in one of the beautiful auditoriums at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Prior to graduation, each senior class works together to select their white gown for the commencement ceremony. Each student wears the same white dress as a sign of unity, they carry four roses to represent their four years of high school, and are crowned with laurel leaves similar to those in ancient Greece as a symbol of achievement. Our graduation ceremony uniquely honors our students, and is a celebration of their students’ work and dedication. |
