Academics

Academic excellence is guided by data-driven instruction along with a wide variety of instructional practices. Classes afford differentiated learning opportunities through technology; large and small group instruction; mentoring and accelerated advancement. A student support system provides extra assessment and tutoring.

Fine art and foreign language instruction is paramount at NCA. Four foreign languages and six fine arts programs enrich our students along the way. Specialists teach technology, engineering, music, band, orchestra, fine arts, physical education, and foreign language classes.

The school has a robust performance program with a mindset of servant leadership training. This includes yearly 1st-8th-grade public speaking training, two annual grade level concert performances, four drama classes, chapel stage presentations, eleven leadership classes or clubs, older/younger mentoring programs and ‘math talks’. The music, drama and performance training include fifteen performance opportunities each year through chapel, concerts, musicals, drama classes, and classroom training. In 5th- 8th grade, NCA has four bands, five choirs, and three orchestras.

With the nearby aerospace industry, the school STEM program is highly valued. Highlights include weekly K-8 engineering (Project Lead the Way) classes, coding instruction, and classroom technology tools. There are six robotics/engineering teams, hands-on science classes, and 2nd-8th grade advanced math opportunities. Afterschool STEM enrichment classes provide additional learning opportunities. Classroom technology tools are fundamental at NCA.

Parents are involved in the classrooms and through the PTF (Parent-Teacher Fellowship) group. Parents lead 17 different programs that enhance our school. These include popcorn Fridays, Thrilling Thursdays, WatchDogs, Cultural groups, Friends of the Library and Mom’s in Prayer groups.

NCA students enter 15 local high schools and those principals report high levels of success in academics, robotics, speech and debate, music, drama, academics, student leadership, and social/emotional maturity. In fact, graduate awards include five Valedictorians, four ASB Presidents, five Robotics team leaders, two debate state winners, six lead musical roles, two drum majors, and many other participants at other levels. NCA was awarded the highest freshman average GPA and best prepared in academics, leadership, and character by a local private high school.