NCA Fact Sheet

Student-to-Teacher Ratio

Our students receive more attention in our small and moderate-sized classes. K-8 class sizes are approx. 22:1 and also have Specialists and Educational Assistants part of each day. Early Learning class sizes are much smaller.

Best in Pacific Northwest Award

NCA was awarded Seattle Times' People's Choice 'Best in the PNW' for Best Elementary School in 2024.

ACSI Certified Teachers

All Kindergarten through 8th grade classroom teachers are State or ACSI certified. Many have, or are working toward, advanced degrees. Specialists teach technology, music, engineering, physical education, and foreign language classes.

Testing Above Grade Level Average

Three times a year 1st – 8th grade students participate in the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment, which compares their overall growth and achievement progress with national averages. Our student body scores significantly above the national average on the exam.

Station Computer Lab

Our 26-station computer lab is used for in depth instruction. Interactive whiteboards are integral to every classroom instruction. A 3-D printer is utilized in the middle school engineering. Students are taught to use Microsoft Suite products, Google tools, Access, Publisher, Web Design, Photoshop, Game Design, and PowerPoint. Coding instruction begins in Kindergarten. Digital Integrity and Citizenship are taught at each grade level. Student Tech Ambassador program starts in 5th grade.

Multi-Cultural Student Body

Northshore Christian Academy includes families from as far north as Arlington/Stanwood and as far south as the Seattle area. Our students represent over 100 area churches and some with no current church affiliation. NCA has a ratio of 50/50 ratio of boy and girl students. The rich, multi-cultural student body is reflected in a diverse ethnicity of our students, and the PTF family multi-cultural connection group include Chinese, Korean, African/African American, and Spanish speaking parents.

Fine Arts Performances

Fine arts instruction is a high value for our students. Instruction includes music, art, concert performance, drama, and public speaking education that builds each year as a child attends the academy. Every class performs twice a year in the auditorium. NCA 5th-8th graders can join band, choir, orchestra, drama, and worship team, classes. Art curriculum introduces students to renowned artistic masters. Advanced opportunities abound in art, band, choir, orchestra, drama, speech, and debate in middle school.

A Wide Variety of Curriculum

NCA uses material from a wide variety of publishers to meet the needs of our students and our academic objectives in each grade level. Please refer to our Curriculum Guides and Middle School Course Descriptions for details.

NCA Received ACSI Accreditation

NCA is a ministry of Northshore Christian Church. The school is approved by the State of Washington and accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Cognia.

STEM Classes Offered

Weekly Project Lead the Way classes are taught in a designated engineering lab with a trained specialist. It is a weekly highlight of all Kindergarten through 5th graders. Middle school offers a challenging science program with additional engineering offerings. Math education provides accelerated opportunities starting in 2nd grade.

Grades Taught a Foreign Language

Foreign language is a vital part of 3rd-8th education. Spanish is a required specialist class for 3rd-5th elementary students. In Middle School, 6th graders get one semester of Spanish, and it is an offered elective for 7th & 8th graders.

PTF & Volunteer Opportunities

Parent-Teacher Fellowship (PTF) is a vibrant group offering many opportunities for parents to volunteer and connect with others. Every day, the WatchDOGS program (Dads of Great Students) provides our school fathers or father-figures an avenue to participate in the school day from monitoring the campus to working in the classroom.

Volume Library

Two librarians hold weekly classes introducing students to quality literature. The library has over 25,000 volumes. Accelerated Reader is part of the library resources.

Special Programs Offered

• Thrive Program offers specialized tutoring and speech therapy.
• Lion’s Club provides after-school enrichment classes including: STEM, Chess, Cultural Learning, Science, Art, Cooking, Music, Sports, etc.
• Robotics Club is offered for 2nd-4th, 5th (coding), and 6th-8th graders.
• Extended Care: Starts at 7:00 AM and ends at 6:00 PM on school days.

Events Throughout the Year

The school calendar is full of exciting events! We kick off with parent and student orientations at the start of school, and wind down with graduations for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and 8th grade students in June. In between, students participate in field trips, classroom events, Christmas programs, Speech Meet, Middle School Musical, Moments with Mom, Dad's Chapel, STEM events, and Walk-a-Thon.

Tuition Payments

Northshore Christian Academy’s tuitions are affordable and we work hard to maintain a balance between the cost to our families and the expenses associated with providing high-quality student programs. Tuition for K-8th Grade is paid on an eleven-month basis. A family discount is applied to the second or third child’s academy tuition. Non-refundable fees are part of the enrollment process each spring. Refer to our Early Learning materials for tuition rates for Toddlers through Pre-Kindergarten.

Campus Open 11 hours A Day

School hours vary by Division. The Early Learning is open from 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Extended Care begins at 7:00 AM before school starts, and is offered after school until 6:00 PM.

National Blue Ribbon School

NCA was selected by the US Department of Education as a ‘National Blue Ribbon School’ in 2019. This award was given to only 50 private schools across the nation and can only be earned every 5 years. Learn more here

Kindergarten Students Start Age

Pre-Kindergarten is for students who are preparing for Kindergarten the following school year. This includes both students who are at least 4 years old by September 1st and those who are 5 years old, but who are not yet ready for Kindergarten. All Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31st.

Assessments When Applying

Students are given an entrance assessment when applying for Kindergarten through 8th grade. This assessment is done to assist the administration in the placement process. This testing is covered as part of the application fee.

Uniforms for All Students

All students in Kindergarten through 8th grade wear uniforms. Please refer to our uniform information on the web site.