FAQ

NCA uses a variety of curricula to achieve the goal of a classical Christian education.  For details on Classical education, please click here.  For details on the curriculum for a specific grade, please click here: Preschool, Grammar School (K-5), Logic School (6-8), Rhetoric School (9-12).

God’s word is an integral part of all classes at NCA as we believe He is the creator of all things and the source of all knowledge.  Many Christian denominations are represented among the student body resulting in a diversity of discussion while maintaining the fundamental truths of the Christian faith.  For our Biblical Worldview, please click here.

Yes!  At NCA, we know how important it is that our students sit under godly women and men who will model what it looks like to serve and follow Christ. For this reason, our first hiring priority is that all of NCA’s teachers be active and professing Christians whose beliefs align with the school’s statement of faith and who actively pursue their own relationship with God.  Click here for our Statement of Faith.

In addition to reading texts on classical teaching, our faculty meets regularly to study and discuss classical philosophy and teaching techniques. Experienced teachers mentor new teachers, sharing best practices for implementing classical ideas in the classroom. We also attend educational conferences held by national classical organizations such as the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS), Society for Classical Learning (SCL), the Circe Institute and Logos School, host seminars and regional conferences here at NCA, and bring in professional classical authors and educators to work with our faculty for teacher development.

In classical Christian education, we are handing down the Great Tradition to the next generation. This is a deeply human endeavor. We believe technology is a useful tool but it cannot replace the care and guidance of a qualified teacher and is therefore not used as a substitute for classroom instruction. Grammar School students do not use computers or tablets for learning; instead, students put pencil to paper and hold books with pages they can turn to mark their progress through the story. Teachers do utilize technology for illustrations and demonstrations when it can enhance a lesson. Upper School students begin to integrate use of technology on select assignments for things like research and writing, graphs and lab reports, and design of publications such as the school yearbook and the Copia literary journal. Student cell phone use on campus is not permitted.

NCA is a member of the Association of Classical & Christian Schools (ACCS) and Society for Classical Learning (SCL). The school is under the governance of a board of directors and at this time is considering pursuing accreditation. NCA is registered with the State of Illinois and our curriculum exceeds all state requirements for graduation. Our graduates have been accepted to many distinguished universities and colleges.

Students may apply to NCA for any grade.  Admissions testing is scheduled once a student’s application has been received.  The testing is done to determine the best placement for the student and whether tutoring is needed prior to entrance.  There is no admissions testing for preschool.

NCA aims to maintain a target class size of 16 students.

NCA will remain at our current location at Trinity Church of the Nazarene for the foreseeable future.  The school’s use of Trinity’s facility is beneficial to both organizations and the location so near I-88 allows families from further suburbs to attend.

NCA is working toward becoming a member of a 5th-8th grade private school athletic conference.  For details, click here.  As we grow, we will continue to build our athletic program to meet student demand. In addition to NCA teams, Naperville and the surrounding communities offer many club sports, park district teams and traveling teams to meet the needs of students who desire additional athletic challenges.

Yes, we offer both before school and after school childcare for Preschool – 8th grade students.  After care hours are 3:15 pm to 5:00 pm for $10 an hour. Before care begins at 7:30 am.