FAQ

What impacts have COVID-19 had on the ACE Teaching Fellowship?

Not surprisingly, COVID-19 has impacted ACE Teaching Fellows, but we’re proud to share that all of our ACE teachers enrolled in our fellowship are teaching during the 2020-21 academic year – some virtually, others in-person.

During Summer 2020, first- and second-year ACE teachers received rigorous training in a virtual setting and we were even able to bring our first-year ACE teachers to Notre Dame’s campus in late July for an intensive two-week session where they primarily engaged in their student teaching experience.

Despite the circumstances, our academic faculty and pastoral team have an unwavering commitment to support the ACE teachers in our program as they each seek to be present to the students and families entrusted to their care this year and always.

How are ACE teaching fellows prepared to serve in diverse communities, often times dissimilar to the communities they were formed in? What diversity & inclusion programming is embedded into teacher formation?

ACE is founded on three pillars: forming professional educators, building community, and growing spiritually. We seek to integrate these pillars in as many aspects of formation as possible, including our diversity & inclusion efforts. Practices of cultural responsiveness and sustenance, for example, are integrated into the M.Ed. coursework. Teachers’ first summer includes a workshop on Christocentric Cultural Responsiveness to begin reflecting on the role of personal identity within community.

Additionally, there are multiple opportunities to extend those reflections as teachers learn about the communities and individuals they serve including implicit bias training, book studies, and discussion groups on topics such as building an antiracist ontology. Teachers are encouraged to communicate with staff regarding other opportunities they desire. Much of the content of these formation experiences is shaped by this ongoing dialogue, and we look forward to our continual growth together.

What do ACE Teachers do after graduating from ACE Teaching Fellows?

ACE Teachers have gone on to become physicians, entrepreneurs, engineers, financial leaders, attorneys, Fulbright scholars, law review editors, university professors, superintendents, leaders of scholarship foundations, presidents and principals of schools, priests, and national science grantees. Others continue to teach. From whatever professional or personal path they pursue, ACE graduates continue to advocate for Catholic schools and for the needs of children in low-income communities.

What is the application timeline? What are the differences between the Fall Application Timeline & Spring Application Timeline?

This year, ACE is introducing two timelines for prospective applicants to apply. Each application timeline it outlined below:

• September 1^st: Application Opens

• April 16^th – 18^th: ACE April Orientation Retreat at Notre Dame
• May 28^th – 30^th: ACE 28 Move-in & Opening Retreat
• May 31^st: First Dayof Classes

The application process for both timelines mirror one another. The only difference between the two application processes is that prospective applicants who choose to apply on the fall timeline will be asked to respond to any offer of admission without knowing the specifics of their teaching placement (developmental levels and/or subject area). Those who apply on our spring timeline will be notified of the details of their placement decision prior to their commitment deadline.

Do I apply to both ACE and the Notre Dame Graduate School? Is the GRE part of my application?

When a candidate applies to ACE, they automatically apply to Notre Dame’s Graduate School. Beginning this year (2020-21), the GRE is no longer required for admission into Notre Dame’s Graduate School. However, per the Indiana Dept. of Education, all prospective applicants to ACE Teaching Fellows must demonstrate basic skills for teacher licensure.

There are multiple options to meet this requirement, including the ACT, SAT, or Praxis; you can find the necessary score requirements here. If your ACT, SAT, and Praxis scores do not met the minimum requirements, we ask you submit GRE scores instead.

Does ACE offer an early admission process?  What if I have been accepted into another program but I really want to do ACE?

ACE is happy to work with applicants to conduct an early interview process if another job offer conflicts with the current ACE timeline. ACE will need written documentation of the offer and its deadline. If applicants think this scenario may arise, they are encouraged to contact Michael Comuniello (, 574.631.6561) as soon as possible.

Is there a specific GRE score ACE looks for? What about GPA?

ACE has no specific GRE (or equivalent graduate school qualification exam) or GPA requirements. The middle 50% GPA range for ACE 27 was 3.5-3.9.

When evaluating applicants, the selection team considers an applicant’s academic history, record of service, leadership experience, community involvement, openness to spiritual growth, application essays, recommendation letters, and interview, among other factors.

What if I do not graduate until June? Is it possible for me to do ACE?

It is possible, but it will require some flexibility. The ACE teacher may have to sacrifice his or her final week on campus, take final exams early, etc. Some ACE teachers have had to come to Notre Dame’s campus and then return to their undergraduate institution for graduation. The first week of ACE’s summer coursework is essential and cannot be made up.

How am I notified about the decision to whether or not I am accepted?

Applicants will receive either a phone call or e-mail notification between December 11^th – 22^nd, 2020 (Fall Timeline) or March 2^nd – March 10^th, 2021 (Spring Timeline). In this communication, applicants are told whether they have been accepted, placed on the wait-list, or rejected.

How is the wait-list ranked?

ACE’s wait-list is not ranked. Due to the specific requests from the schools, ACE accepts the person best qualified to fill the particular vacancy.

What can I do as an underclassmen to prepare for ACE?

ACE encourages underclassmen to speak with current or former ACE teachers, members of the ACE staff (most of whom are graduates of ACE), and others who have a strong understanding of the program.

ACE also encourages prospective applicants to gain experience working with students (e.g., through tutoring, coaching, or mentoring programs), seek leadership roles at their colleges and universities, and engage in faith-based service.

Underclassmen may also consider attending ACE functions on their campuses, such as information sessions or post-graduate volunteer fairs.

Do I have a choice in where I am placed?

Applicants rank their preferences for grade level and content/subject area on the application. The dynamics of placement preclude us from guaranteeing placement preference. This process includes the following considerations:

• The specific school requests
• An applicant’s undergraduate background and what he or she is qualified to teach

The selection team is wholeheartedly committed to placing participants in environments that will allow them to thrive and will maximize their skill sets. As an example, candidates with proficiency in Spanish are often placed in schools/communities that serve Spanish-speaking populations.

Are certain academic majors preferred?

ACE welcomes candidates from all academic disciplines. We place teachers

• in self-contained elementary classrooms (2^nd through 5^th grades)
• in middle school content areas (6^th through 8^th grades)
• in high school content areas (9^th through 12^th grades)

Major content areas include the following::

• English & Language Arts
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies

Many ACErs teach a combination of these subjects (e.g., middle school Math and Science).

I have a major other than the four content areas. Can I still teach high school?

Potentially, but it all depends on the applicant’s ability to pass the content test required for licensure per the Indiana Dept. of Education; typically, one’s undergraduate coursework is a good predictor. Applicants are encourage to contact the ACE staff for transcript reviews or advice about teaching qualifications and requirements.

What if I’m an education major? Can I still apply?

Absolutely! ACE welcomes candidates from all academic disciplines, including education. 

What kind of professional support can an ACE Teacher expect?

All ACE teachers have at least four support resources at their disposal throughout their two years in the program: an academic supervisor from the Faculty of Supervision and Instruction, a pastoral administrator, the school principal, and a designated mentor teacher in their local school.

Principals provide ongoing formative and summative evaluations of the ACEr’s teaching, community, and spiritual formation. Mentor Teachers serve a non-evaluative role by helping ACE Teachers orient to their new city and school, conferencing with them about instructional and curricular goals on a regular basis, and reflecting with the ACE Teacher about successes and struggles in and out of the classroom.

Local support resources also include other school faculty, the diocesan superintendent, former ACE teachers who may remain in the area, and Notre Dame alumni club members who welcome the ACE teachers to their local communities.

Are there opportunities to coach and lead extracurriculars while teaching in ACE?

Yes, ACE Teachers will regularly assume leadership positions throughout the school, offering their time and talents in areas such as athletics, student government, Campus Ministry, and many others.

Do I have to find my own housing?

No. Housing and furnishings are provided. ACE Teachers need simply to bring personal belongings to the ND summer session and to their communities.

Do I need a car?

Not necessarily; not having a car should not keep applicants from applying! ACE teachers certainly do not need cars during the summer sessions at Notre Dame. Many ACE teachers find it helpful to have a personal car at their sites due to school commitments and extracurricular activities. Still, many ACE teachers carpool. Please ask the ACE staff about transportation if you have questions and/or concerns.

Are all ACE schools under-resourced?

ACE is committed to sending faith-filled, committed teachers to Catholic schools. While the biggest poverty served in ACE schools is socio-economic, ACE also serves schools that are in need of strong faith-filled role models.

I am not Catholic. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes! ACE invites all applicants for service to Catholic education. All participants should demonstrate a lived commitment to their faith tradition and should be willing to live and work in community, as well as contribute to the spiritual formation of their students.

What opportunities for spiritual growth do ACE Teachers have?

As Catholic school educators, ACE Teachers will have the opportunity to form and guide their students in their faith lives, which in turn will shape their own.

Summers at Notre Dame offer a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth including retreats, liturgies, and prayer services. All ACE Teachers will take one of two classes – Introduction to Teaching Religion or Teaching in Catholic Schools – to better prepare them to serve as a spiritual resource for their students.  

Members of each ACE community together develop their spiritual and prayer lives, embracing personal experiences and inviting each other to grow in faith. In addition, ACE Teachers often find spiritual support, direction, and challenge from the pastoral team.