Northshore Christian Academy in Everett, WA was one of only 4 Washington State schools to receive this year’s accolade.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels.
Northshore Christian Academy (NCA) exemplifies quality Christian education steeped in the tradition of faith, character, dynamic academics, robust fine-arts training, and innovative STEM education for all grades. From its humble warehouse beginnings it has rapidly grown in size, and now located near the Everett aerospace corridor. Through dynamic, well-rounded K-8 instruction, collaborative partnerships, and vibrant school culture NCA fosters an environment where students thrive in faith, Fine Arts, STEM, community engagement, caring culture and academic achievement.
The K-8 academic program is marked by innovative instruction, data informed learning, classroom technology tools, opportunities for advancement and collaborative teaching teams. All academics are interwoven and filtered through Christian faith instruction, daily Bible classes, chapel, caring culture and community service projects.
The STEM program offers weekly K-8 engineering classes in the dedicated engineering and science labs. Math instruction offers early advancement. Science and math learning come alive in the engineering lab by tackling real life problems.
Fine arts and foreign languages are cornerstones of NCA. K-4 music education includes annual performance concerts, musical plays, chapel presentations and after-school lessons. All 5th-8th graders participate in one or more of the sixteen bands, orchestras, choirs, art, chapel or drama classes. 1st-8th grade Foreign Language instruction (Spanish, German, Mandarin) and the public speaking program build communication skills.
Partnering with parents in a faith-focused community cultivates robust student growth at NCA. Vibrant community engagement includes 18 PTF (Parent Teacher Fellowship) leaders facilitating a large volunteer community. All meet regularly with school leaders to build relationships, deepen faith, broaden understanding, and enhance the school community. NCA values their diverse population by hosting PTF Family Connection groups including Korean, Filipino, Spanish, African, Chinese and Slavic Family Connections. Each group hold a PTF board position and meet with school leaders for fellowship and connection.
The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
CAPE, the proud coordinator of the private school component of the NBRS program, joined U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the nation’s education community in congratulating all winning schools.
WFIS members will recall that the last time a WA Private school was acknowledged as a National Blue Ribbon School was in 2014 when The Bear Creek School of Redmond, WA was also awarded recognition for being an Exemplary High Performing School.
