The Upper School Program at NCCS

At NCCS, students receive an education deeply rooted in a biblical worldview. Through Bible classes, weekly chapel, and a perspective that views all subjects through the lens of God's truth, we empower our students to take their place as influential leaders, driving positive change within the culture for Christ.

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.

With strategically designed class rotations, two elective options each semester, daily recess, and opportunities to hone study and organizational skills, Middle School students move through the day with adequate attention to their mental, social and physical development. 

The NCCS Middle School developmental approach balances academics, athletics, fine arts and student life, encouraging students to discover their unique genius while honing gifts and abilities. 

To this end, students in 5th through 8th grades have the opportunity to participate in championship athletic teams and award-winning fine arts programs. Beginning in 5th grade, students can participate in 17 high-caliber athletic teams, including football, competition cheer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, swim, bass fishing, wrestling, and more. Two arts electives per semester allow students to further develop artistic interests, as well, and a designated Middle School musical -- in addition to chorus, orchestra, band, visual arts, and theatre classes -- allows students to shine on stage. 

At NCCS, Middle School 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 private middle school curriculum in Atlanta. 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 curricula,” 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.