Alum, physician and current parent of three students at Notre Dame says school ‘goes above and beyond.’
When current parent and alum Fabian Fregoli and his wife, Loreta, were considering sending their three children to Notre Dame, they did the usual research themselves, a majority of which involved talking to other parents who had kids at the school. They received only positive reviews from the parents, according to Fabian. But it was what the children of those parents kept saying that finally clinched it for the Fregolis.
“When the kids themselves reported loving Notre Dame and would never want to attend any other school, I knew there was something special about the organization and the community,” said Fabian, who has a student in the lower division and two in the upper.
Of course other factors were considered when Fregoli did his research – many factors. After all, he is a practicing physician — plus, he’s a member of the senior leadership team at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, serving as Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland and Regional Chief Medical Informatics Officer-East Market for the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System — so he’s well versed in making sure that when important decisions are made, they are backed up with facts and figures.
“The continuity of education between divisions was an important factor,” Fregoli said, recalling his initial assessment of Notre Dame. “Plus, the lower division’s low student-to-teacher ratio was attractive to us, and in the middle division, the offering of Chinese language, the robotics program, and the availability of an honors math program also were big factors.”
He also said having the International Baccalaureate program at all levels at Notre Dame was an indication that “the school is progressive in its approach and innovative in its vision.”
’Some of the greatest educators’
The fact that Fregoli himself is a product of a Notre Dame and Marist education — he graduated from Notre Dame in 1989 — surely also must have played a role in the decision to send his kids to the school.
We asked just to make sure.
“Absolutely,” he answered without hesitation. “Notre Dame changed the course of my life! I was inspired and encouraged by, in my opinion, some of the greatest educators around. The Marist Fathers have engendered a very special and unique culture that blends high academic standards with a caring environment.”
Fregoli said that just like what he experienced as a student at Notre Dame, his children’s teachers also seem to always go above and beyond to bring out each child’s potential.
“It is clear that the faculty and staff here are genuinely concerned about each student's success,” he said. “Plus, there is a strong sense of community with family support of programs offered at Notre Dame. Parents really do share their time and their talents for the many programs offered at the school.”
Fregoli and his wife seem to exemplify that aspect of school life perfectly. He is Notre Dame’s band treasurer, his wife assists with the middle division musical production and she volunteers in the lower division library weekly. And last year, she was a mentor for the Vex-IQ Robotics Team (Bumble Bees).
Fregoli also participated recently in a career day for upper-division students that focused on the healthcare industry.
“NDPMA offers something for everyone to become involved,” Fregoli said. “Through all the various clubs and activities, a wide variety of options are available, including sports, the arts, robotics and beyond.”
“Very pleased with Notre Dame’
So now that his children have a healthy dose of the Notre Dame experience themselves, what is their own assessment so far of the school?
“I periodically ask all three of our children if they would prefer to move to another school,” Fregoli said. “They are very clear with their response: ‘No!’ Enough said, and my question definitely answered!
“We are very pleased with Notre Dame,” he said. “We have no regrets whatsoever.”
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.