Student Life

Student Life at Nardin Academy

Step into a student experience that is shaped by exciting possibilities, where each child is known by name and story.

What kind of experience do you imagine for your child?

You want a place where your child feels seen the moment they arrive: where curiosity leads the way, friendships form naturally, and learning continues long after the day ends. Every morning they step through the doors, they’re welcomed into a community shaped by teachers who listen, coaches who cheer them on, and classmates who make room for them — a school day marked by discovery and belonging.

At Nardin Academy, the student experience is defined by that kind of energy. From Montessori discoveries to High School traditions, each child is known by name and story, and encouraged to grow their unique strengths and potential.

The Nardin Experience

Nardin Academy student life is shaped by daily experiences that build connection and purpose. Across all divisions, students are given space to grow through programs that support who they’re becoming. Here’s how that comes to life:

Becoming Through Experience
Student interests show up in many forms: robotics, soccer, orchestra, studio art, and many more. Some students discover new passions. Others return to familiar ones. Nardin offers more than 50 clubs and organizations, including Model UN, e-Sports club, Women’s Empowerment, Mock Trial squad, and more. All are encouraged to step in, participate, and see where it takes them.
Belief in Practice
Nardin’s Catholic identity plays a vital role in the way students experience community. Students take part in shared prayer, regular Mass, and service experiences that ask them to engage with the world around them. Younger students begin with age-appropriate practices. Older students lead retreats, plan projects, and show up for their community.
Belonging That Builds Connection
From Montessori morning work to High School House competitions, our private school student experience is designed for community and belonging. School events such as Spirit Week, plays, and concerts give students shared memories and a strong sense of connection.

Explore Student Life at Nardin Academy

Montessori
Lower & Middle School
High School

Montessori Experience

Toddler-Grade 3 (Co-ed)

The youngest students at Nardin begin their day in spaces designed just for them. Sunlight filters through quiet classrooms where everything has its place — wooden shelves lined with hands-on materials, small tables set for work, quiet corners for reading or reflection. These “prepared environments” are full of choice, movement, and calm.

Inside, students arrange flowers, polish wood, and sweep crumbs from the floor. They build math patterns with beads or trace letters in sand. Outdoors, garden beds and nature walks offer time to care and connect. Teachers guide gently, watching for the moment when a student is ready for something more.

Faith is introduced through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a peaceful atrium space where young children encounter sacred stories and rituals through quiet, hands-on engagement.

Montessori student life includes:

Purposeful, choice-driven work guided by Montessori-certified teachers
Practical life spaces for cooking, gardening, and movement
A calm, child-sized “world” with functional items that encourage independence
Gentle faith formation through stories and symbols
Daily routines that build focus and curiosity
Enrichment opportunities like yoga, ballet, chess, and Lego club

- A Parent’s Perspective

“My children have been at Nardin since they were toddlers. Over the years I’ve watched them grow from shy little ones into confident teenagers. Teachers here do more than teach, they create a sense of belonging that has shaped who my kids are becoming.”

Lower & Middle School Experience

Kindergarten-Grade 8 (Co-ed)

At this stage, students step into spaces that balance structure with opportunity. Classrooms are small enough for each child to be known, yet rich with programs that invite curiosity and growth.

In the Lower School, mornings begin with Responsive Classroom routines that set a tone of kindness and accountability. Daily mindfulness practices help students focus, while early world language instruction broadens their view of the world. After the school day, students dive into a wide range of enrichments: dance, swim, squash, and Pep Squad, which allow them to move and connect with friends.

The Middle School years bring new layers of challenge and independence. Students spend these years building leadership skills and finding support through the Student Advisory during an important transition. Beyond the classroom, clubs such robotics, ski club, and Student Council help students discover new interests and take on leadership roles. Service projects and leadership retreats further encourage students to grow through teamwork and responsibility.

Lower & Middle School life at Nardin includes:

Small classes with Responsive Classroom and daily mindfulness
Early world language, dance, PE, and creative enrichment
Student Advisory provides daily guidance and community support for middle schoolers
Robust after-school programs: swim, squash, Pep Squad, and more
Project-based learning that sparks collaboration and innovation
Clubs and middle school extracurriculars, such as robotics and ski club
Intentional preparation for the next stage, with academic and organizational habits that set students up for success

High School Experience

Grades 9-12 (All-girls)

High School at Nardin is a time for students to step into independence while remaining rooted in community. Traditions, mentorship, and meaningful opportunities give shape to these years.

Each January, wINTERMISSION offers students a week of hands-on learning, from internships to wellness workshops. These help students connect their studies with the wider world. Belonging takes form through the House System, where every student is welcomed into Cleveland, Delaware, Elmwood, or Tudor, creating bonds that stretch across grade levels.

Faculty advisories and freshman counseling provide steady guidance, while faith and service remain central through Mass, retreats, immersion trips, and the senior Portrait of a Graduate capstone.

Beyond academics, students thrive in both athletics and the arts. With state of the art facilities, award-winning programs, and performance opportunities on professional stages, they have the space to test their talents and celebrate their growth. By graduation, every senior moves forward with a 100% college acceptance rate and the resilience to carry Nardin values with them.

Highlights of High School life at Nardin:

Kairos retreats that encourage reflection and lasting friendships
Service opportunities that tie learning to community responsibility
Social events and traditions that bring the school together
Access to local venues such as Shea’s 710 Theater and Babeville for performances
Over 50 clubs and organizations, plus leadership, arts, and athletic opportunities

Events, Traditions, & Family Involvement

All-School Events and Traditions
The school year is punctuated with gatherings that bring the community together. Founders Week honors Nardin’s heritage, Spirit Week fills the campus with laughter, and Homecoming and Thanksgiving Lunch anchor the fall. Pep rallies, retreats, and student-led Masses add to a calendar that blends celebration with reflection.
Summer at Nardin
When classes pause, the campus stays lively. Summer programs invite students into arts, athletics, STEM, and leadership experiences that keep curiosity active year-round. Camps blend care with enrichment, giving students the chance to stay connected to friends and explore new interests.
Family Involvement
Parents are part of the heartbeat of campus life. Through the Nardin Academy Parents Association (NAPA), families volunteer in classrooms, host coffees, and support events. Many accompany students on service projects or lend a hand during school events, forming connections that strengthen the partnership between home and school.

Life at Nardin, In Their Words

- A Senior’s Reflection

“When I look back, I remember more than classes. I see the clubs I led, the stage where I found my voice, and the retreats that made me pause and reflect. Student life at Nardin gave me chances to try, to lead, and to hold on to values I’ll carry forward.”

Take the Next Step at Nardin

The best way to understand the Nardin difference is to see it in action. Walk the halls, meet the teachers, and watch student life unfold. Families who visit quickly see what makes the Catholic school student experience here — rooted in tradition and alive with possibilities.

A private, independent, Catholic school in Buffalo, NY, with coed Montessori, Lower and Middle Schools and a college preparatory High School for young women.