The Middle School Program at NCCS

A multidisciplinary approach is foundational to our Middle School program, developing students into authentic, well-rounded Christian leaders. Our instructional approach utilizes a balance between academics, athletics, fine arts and student life. We combine a robust curriculum with challenging learning environments to achieve student mastery through knowing, understanding and doing. And of course, the cornerstone of our Middle School program is our amazingly dedicated faculty — the “living curriculum,” who purposefully invest in each student’s wellbeing.

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 participate in weekly Chapel, as well as monthly Advisory Groups, which are faculty-led small groups of students who unwrap biblical truths and hash out life, school issues, and everything in between. Middle School students also participate in Fall Retreat at the beginning of each new school year. These overnight retreats are held off campus, allowing students to grow in their relationships with each other, as well as with the Lord.

The Pathways Program is an innovative middle school program that involves a series of assessments, evaluations and personal reflections compiled by our Middle School students, with the goal of helping students know themselves, from the inside out. Through Pathways, students answer the big questions surrounding their purpose and their God-given bents. Pathways outcomes also help our parents and teachers better understand how God has uniquely created each child and begin the process of making educated choices about his/her future. The Pathways Program, which began in 2006, gives us the opportunity to assess each student in the areas of their personality style, learning style, initial career interests, and spiritual giftedness. In short: each Middle School student at NCCS is seen and known.

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, and social studies while providing opportunities for students to explore special subjects such as fine arts electives. Students are also encouraged to start thinking about their future goals so they can tailor their education to achieve their full potential.

NCCS students participate in Duke TIP, which identifies academically talented students based on their outstanding performance on standardized achievement tests. These students are eligible to join the Duke TIP program and have the opportunity to take the SAT or ACT early, as well as participate in other advanced academic opportunities throughout the year.

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. 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.

Our Middle School students have an array of opportunities to explore talents and interests during the regular school day through over 30 club offerings. Clubs include Mach 5, Great Outdoors, No-Bake Cooking, Animation, Recycling, Journaling, Science Olympiad, Star Wars, Newspaper Writing, Book Club, Guitar Club, and many more! The clubs are sponsored by Middle School teachers, who pour into students through creative, hands-on experiences. Our unique, in-school club format fosters strong relationships between teachers and students, while also adding an exciting extracurricular element to the Middle School program.

As part of our Middle School curriculum, our 5th through 8th grade students participate in Fall and Spring Term. This is an intentional week of outside-the-classroom learning, where students are given exciting, real-world opportunities to explore and learn. Each grade level participates in a different experience, from exploring our own community’s cultural highlights to experiencing our nation’s history through an 8th grade trip to Washington, D. C. These experiences are designed to launch students beyond the textbook, tapping into their natural curiosity as they become lifelong learners.

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 to allow students opportunities to become technologically literate as 21st century learners, while also practicing digital stewardship and personal responsibility.