Nardin Academy, an independent Catholic school, has maintained its long tradition of educating boys and girls for more than a century. (Courtesy of Nardin Academy)

Nardin Academy in Buffalo, an independent Catholic school, has a long history of developing boys and girls within an academic, spiritually-based focus. The academy encompasses a Montessori school, an elementary school and a high school.

For younger boys and girls (toddlers; pre-K-eighth-grade), and up through the all-girls college-prepatory high school, Nardin follows the tenets of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary.

The Daughters are a community of religious women founded in 1790 during the French Revolution, living now amidst God's people on five continents and 30 countries, serving through chastity, poverty and obedience.

Nardin's traditions formed almost 160 years ago and have created a learning community in which each student's God-given gifts are appreciated and nurtured through rigorous academics, commitment to community service, and spiritual development.

Academics
Nardin Academy educationally nourishes each student according to his or her level and helps them find their inner-passion. As their confidence and skills grow, students take part in many academic opportunities - winning spots at top high schools and colleges of their choice, earning close to $27 million in scholarships for the elementary and high school classes of 2015.

Music, Theater and Performance
Nardin students and their families deeply value the many annual opportunities for broadening their experience at Nardin with musical and dramatic plays, choirs, orchestras, chamber, brass and string ensembles, and themed holiday and talent shows. Each of the three schools has dedicated professional music faculty. This year, we are proud to say Nardin High School students received a gold medal in chorus (level 6) at the New York State Music School Association.

Visual Arts
From the youngest ages, students are empowered to make their own art, learning to express themselves and share their talent. In high school, students may elect courses including drawing, photography, fashion or interior design, and ceramics.

Dance
Dance is an intrinsic element of the Nardin physical education program and all students participate in grades K-eight. Dancing fosters awareness - of the self and others - necessarily utilizing grace and courtesy. A favorite tradition is Nardin's fourth-grade inter-generational dance between students and elders in our community. Dance class is an elective for interested high school students.

A Spirit of Service
Nardin is a dynamic community, promising to develop students' potential, intellect, character and courage. That can only be accomplished with a deep engagement in the community and the world.

Like our founders, Nardin students affirm a deep commitment to serve people of all social backgrounds, ages, ethnic groups and religious traditions.

With a deep engagement in the community and the world, Nardin students serve the poor and infirm by volunteering at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy and Ronald McDonald House. Our youngest students provide Christmas gifts and cheer for at-risk children at Gateway-Longview.

Furthering our mission, high school students traveled to Nicaragua this summer through International Good Samaritan to build houses for Latin America's neediest. An annual trip to Appalachia at the end of each summer provides another opportunity for students to develop character, courage and openness.

At Nardin Academy, we believe that every student has the potential to do amazing things.

To schedule a visit/tour, or to arrange for a student shadow day, visit nardin.org or contact: Kathleen Graber McHale, director of High School Admissions, at 716-881-6262 x1380, kmchale@nardin.org or Danielle Dodman, director of Lower Schools Admissions, at 716-881-6262 x1030, ddodman@nardin.org.