The Middle School Program at NCCS

Students at our Christian middle school receive an education that is filtered through a biblical worldview, equipping them to sit at the table of influence and impact our culture for Christ. Middle School students take Bible as a core class and also participate in weekly chapel. With a faculty and staff comprised of 100-percent committed Christian believers, every subject -- from math and science to speech and photography -- is taught and interpreted through the lens of biblical truth. Additionally, students are deeply discipled through intentional opportunities built into the annual calendar (see below).

As a pillar of the Middle School experience, our 5th through 8th grade students have intentional opportunities built into the yearly calendar to grow exponentially closer to the Lord and to each other. These experiences begin with Fall Retreat at the onset of each school year. Fifth and sixth grades participate in a day of adventure and team-building, and seventh and eighth grades spend three days at a beautiful retreat center, going deeper with faith and friendships to set the tone for the school year. 

Halfway through the school year, NCCS Middle and Upper School host Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW) -- a week of special chapels and daily worship. Each year has a unique theme, urging students to be reignited as they follow Christ. 

Fifth through eighth-grade students also participate in Spring Term. This is an intentional time of outside-the-classroom learning, where students are given exciting, real-world opportunities to explore, learn, and serve. Each grade level participates in a different experience, from exploring our own community’s cultural highlights to experiencing our nation’s history through visits to cities like Charleston or Savannah. These experiences are designed to launch students beyond the textbook, tapping into their natural curiosity as they become lifelong learners.

The schedule for all 5th through 8th grade students at NCCS has been intentionally and strategically designed to accommodate the unique needs of adolescent learners. With strategically designed class rotations, two elective options each semester, daily recess, and structured time to hone study and organizational skills, Middle School students move through the day with adequate attention to their mental, social and physical development. 

A multidisciplinary approach is foundational to our Middle School program, developing students into authentic, well-rounded Christian leaders. The instructional approach utilizes a balance between academics, athletics, fine arts and student life, encouraging students to discover their unique genius while honing gifts and abilities.

Students are also encouraged to start thinking about their future goals so they can align their education, elective choices, and extracurricular activities with their God-given potential.

The learning community at NCCS is one where every student is known, loved, and mentored regularly. Our faculty pours into our students, and the impact of this is seen long after graduation. Every middle school student participates in Small Groups, which are same-gender groups of students who meet monthly throughout the year with a designated faculty or staff sponsor for discipleship and support. These groups essentially "do life" together, unpacking biblical truth in real-world contexts.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Timothy Program, an intentional peer-to-peer mentoring format based on Paul’s mentorship of Timothy in the book of Acts. Students in grades 9 through 12 volunteer to serve as mentors, meeting for one hour a week with students in grades K5 through 8th to work through homework together, grapple with social or relational issues, explore a biblical topic, or just hang out and discuss life. The program is overseen by our counseling department, who ensures a positive experience for both mentors and mentees.

In preparation for high school and college, NCCS Middle School students rise to the challenge of a more rigorous academic curriculum. Teachers continue building strong foundations across the core subject areas of math, English, science, social studies, and Bible while providing opportunities for students to explore God-given bents, including the arts, speech, and digital design. A challenging curriculum is combined with robust learning environments to achieve student mastery through knowing, understanding and doing.

And, of course, the cornerstone of the Middle School program is NCCS's phenomenal faculty — the “living curriculum,” who purposefully invest in each student’s mastery and wellbeing.

Having access to cutting-edge technology integration in the classroom is a key component of the Middle School experience at NCCS. Each student in grades 5 through 8 is issued their own Chromebook, which they utilize in class to follow along with note-taking guides, access and complete class assignments digitally, communicate with their teachers, and click on links during interactive teacher lectures. The end goal is for students to leverage technology to deepen mastery and understanding, while also practicing digital stewardship and personal responsibility.