History – OLD

Decades before the founding of Collège Notre Dame de Louaizé, the Maronite Mariamite Order (O.M.M.) embarked on a visionary mission to eradicate illiteracy among Lebanon’s Christian communities, beginning as early as 1736. This groundbreaking commitment formed the cornerstone of Christian education in Lebanon, profoundly shaping the country’s educational landscape and ultimately laying the foundation for the establishment of CNDL.

The Maronite Fathers, driven by an enduring belief in education as a vital catalyst for spiritual growth, personal empowerment, and communal advancement, envisioned a society enriched by knowledge and enlightened faith. Their centuries-long dedication underscores education not merely as academic instruction, but as a profound means of nurturing faith, enhancing individual potential, and fostering community resilience and prosperity.

En 1960, le Collège Notre Dame de Louaizé a officiellement ouvert ses portes, initialement conçu comme un établissement éducatif exclusivement destiné aux séminaristes de l’Ordre Maronite Mariamite (O.M.M.), au sein du couvent. Ce chapitre fondateur marque les débuts modestes d’une institution qui allait rapidement évoluer pour devenir un pôle éducatif de premier plan, reconnu pour sa rigueur académique et son attachement indéfectible aux valeurs chrétiennes.

Fidèle à ses racines spirituelles et à la tradition maronite, le CNDL a rapidement élargi sa vision et étendu sa mission en ouvrant ses portes à un public d'apprenants aux horizons variés. Ce pas décisif a permis à l'école d'accroître son impact communautaire, devenant un centre d’apprentissage dynamique où des apprenants issus de diverses origines se réunissent pour viser l'excellence académique et l'épanouissement personnel dans un environnement éducatif bienveillant, ancré dans des valeurs solides.

En 1964, seulement quatre ans après sa création, le Collège Notre Dame de Louaizé a entamé un nouveau chapitre décisif de son histoire en accueillant sa première promotion d'apprenants non-séminaristes. Ce jalon historique a marqué la transformation du CNDL, passant d'une institution exclusivement dédiée aux séminaristes à un centre éducatif dynamique ouvert au grand public.

This visionary shift not only broadened the school’s horizons but also established CNDL as a cornerstone of educational excellence in the region. By embracing learners from diverse cultural, social, and religious backgrounds, the institution cultivated an enriching academic community, fostering unity in diversity, academic distinction, and inclusive values that resonate to this day.

Entre 1968 et 1975, le Collège Notre Dame de Louaizé a traversé une ère de transformation marquée par d'importantes expansions de son campus et par des réformes pédagogiques novatrices. Face à l'augmentation continue des inscriptions et à l'évolution des besoins éducatifs, l'institution a engagé dès 1968 de vastes projets d'infrastructure, notamment la construction de l'édifice principal en forme de L, qui abrite aujourd'hui la section française

En 1975, une nouvelle phase d’expansion a été nécessaire, donnant à l’ensemble son agencement actuel en forme de U. Cette évolution architecturale a symbolisé la capacité du CNDL à répondre dynamiquement à la croissance rapide de sa population d'apprenants et à son engagement constant pour offrir un environnement d'apprentissage stimulant et propice à l’épanouissement.

Parallel to its physical expansion, CNDL actively introduced progressive pedagogical reforms aimed at modernizing education, enhancing student engagement, and better meeting diverse learner needs. These reforms positioned the institution at the forefront of educational innovation, reinforcing its longstanding reputation for academic excellence and holistic student development.

The year 1970 marked a moment of pride for CNDL with the first class to pass the official Baccalaureate, achieving a 100% success rate. This success strengthened the school’s reputation as a leading institution, offering a quality education that prepares learners to excel in their higher studies

The 1980s saw the construction of several key infrastructures, including the English section, the administrative building, and the college chapel in 1981. Two years later, in 1983, the CNDL sports club was founded, enriching the school life of learners by offering them opportunities for physical development and camaraderie through various sports activities.

In the 1990s, CNDL continued to innovate by introducing computer science teaching into its school curriculum in 1991, a pioneering initiative at the time. This decade also saw the launch of the Assahira awards in 1993 and the quarterly learner magazine Assahira Al Jawwala in 1995, reflecting the college’s commitment to encouraging learner expression and creativity. In 1997, CNDL inaugurated a new building for kindergarten, thus meeting the needs of its youngest learners.

The beginning of the 21st century was marked by the creation of the Maronite pedagogical office in 2001, as well as the launch of teacher training workshops for Maronite schools in 2004. These initiatives strengthened CNDL’s role as a center of pedagogical excellence within the Maronite community. The official recognition of CNDL’s efforts came in 2014 with the accreditation of the kindergarten, followed by the opening of the French Baccalaureate program in 2015 and the accreditation of cycles 2 and 3 in 2017.