College Profile

An independent, Catholic, college preparatory school for young women, Nardin Academy enrolls students of diverse faiths and ethnic backgrounds. Nardin is consistently ranked as one of the top schools in Western NY. Founded one hundred sixty-seven years ago, in 1857, it is the oldest school of its kind in Buffalo, NY. Nardin is accredited by the New York State Department of Education and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, and is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC), and the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS). The school is located north of Buffalo’s business district and draws its student body from the greater metropolitan area and nearby Canada. In 2024-2025, 316 students will be instructed by a full and part-time faculty of 32, yielding a student to teacher ratio of 10:1. The Class of 2025 consists of 88 young women, all of whom plan to attend college in the fall.

100% of the Class of 2024 received a Nardin New York State endorsed diploma; 63% were “With Advanced Designation,” signifying a more rigorous curriculum; and 37% of those “With Advanced Designation” were “With Honor,” signifying a cumulative average of 94.0 or higher and no final course grade below 85% in a core course or B in a course with alpha grading.

 

Entrance to Nardin is based on a competitive examination and previous classroom performance. All students are required to take four years of English, social studies, religious studies, physical education; three years of mathematics, science, three years of a single world language; one semester of health; one semester of computer science, and six semesters of electives. An Advanced Designation Diploma indicates successful completion of four years of math and science in addition to English, social studies, religion and physical education. An Honors Diploma is awarded to students with a cumulative average of 94.0, and no final average lower than 85 in a core course or B in a course with alpha grading. Advanced Placement examinations are required in all subjects designated “AP,” and all AP courses have been reviewed and certified by the College Board. Students must also fulfill an eighty-hour community service commitment. Nardin is on an eight-day, rotating, cascading block schedule.