North Raleigh Christian Academy

NRCA has long been the number one choice among all private and Christian schools in Wake county and surrounding areas. At 1430 students, NRCA has a reputation for strong academics, outstanding fine arts, and championship athletics in a Christ-centered environment. The academic rigor is evident when you see the achievement tests batteries for kindergarten through ninth grade that are above average with stanines of 7 to 9. The average SAT score for the Class of 2012 was 1159, 148 points above the national average. The top 25% scored 1330 and the top 10% of scored 1390. The Class of 2012 was offered $3,669,268 in college merit scholarships with 71% of the merit recipients earning $50,000 or greater, several in six figures. Of the sixteen graduation classes and 1,064 graduates from 1997-2012, 97% have attended colleges and universities with 99% of the Class of 2012 attending. Over $24 million in scholarships have been offered to NRCA graduates since 1997. NRCA graduates have attended more than 129 different colleges and universities. NRCA offers 13 AP (Advanced Placement) classes and 30 honors classes. NRCA will give your child the best in education, a Kingdom education.
—Submitted by a teacher

I spent all four years of high school at this school. The academics are very good compared to local public schools. The rules for students are absurd. If a certain teacher does not like you, they can give you a detention at their discretion with no question by administration, leaving no defense for the student. Administration says the school is non-denominational, but there is a strong stench of southern baptist. Administration is very hell-stone and brim fire-ish. I did have some good teachers but the bad teachers outweighed the good. Some of the good teachers left after the 2012 school year. As parents have stated, there are difficulties coming into this school later than elementary school. Most moms are stay-at-home moms and have very little else to do besides living vicariously through their children. Parents were more involved in cliques than the students it seemed. Students here tend to be very sheltered and do not know how to handle the freedom and culture shock of college. I have seen many fellow alumni go crazy when they taste the freedom of college. In conclusion, my parents and I both agree that if we could go back we would change schools. 2 stars due to academics.

I am a student from this school, and I know what it is really like. It's awful. I regret everyday I wake up and go to this wasteland. The education is very biased, and teachers grade on opinions. Hypocrisy is fluent throughout the staff and student body. Students are backstabbing and cruel. I have been outcasted and called many names for my personal beliefs and physical features I cannot help. Don't get me wrong, there are a few good students and teachers here that actually care. They are few and far between. Don't come here. Don't waste your money. Once you get sucked in, it's nearly impossible to leave.The administratives have been making drastic changes lately, but that is just because they need more people to stay so they can finance a lavish vacation or make a down payment on a new house. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME, MONEY, OR SANITY.

This my first year experiencing NRCA. At first it seemed the teachers would not be accepting of him for reasons but academically he is growing. Their curriculum is set and isn't flexible for different levels. Some teachers have one style of teaching which could be broadened. How parent involvement depends on the parent being pro-active for their child and not accepting the failure of some teachers not wanting to respond. Our family has not had much of a problem with communication because we look for it and expect it. As with any school there are many great teachers. Teachers are human beings. Our concerns have been addressed. Elementary level could have higher expectancies but middle school has plenty of homework. NO school is perfect. As a parent you have to know what your expectations are and reach for them. They are strict about things but have recently down graded their dress rules. Overall, I can't say much negative about the school. Academics are there. Parent involvement is what parents put out. My one negative is that other than sports and the arts there are no after school activities for the students. Don't rely on the opinion of one person.

We have the greatest appreciation for NRCA having had two of our children graduate from this great institution. Both were actively engaged in academics and athletics at NRCA. The academic challenge was outstanding. The balance of academics with age appropriateness was appreciated in elementary and middle school. The honors and AP classes on the high school level rival any of the schools in the area. The scholarship dollars they received for college were significant. They have been actively engaged in alumni activities since graduation. They love returning to visit with their teachers and attend Homecoming and Alumni Weekend events. NRCA has a tried and proven record for balance and excellence between academics, fine arts, and athletics and allow students to have a life as well. More importantly, the school is an extension of our values. Our daughters have been able to defend their faith and they love Jesus and the USA. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We could not have had a better partner in the education of our children. We highly recommend NRCA. No school is perfect but NRCA comes close.
—Submitted by a parent

The curriculum is far from challenging and seems to be "one size must fit all". Christian perspective is fundamental and non-inclusive. We will not re-enroll our children next year.
—Submitted by a parent

First, no school is perfect and that includes NRCA. I have 3 children at NRCA (1st, 5th, and 7th grades), my 2 older children are academically gifted (I had them tested at Project Enlightenment). Unfortunately, there is no program for academically gifted children in Elementary or Middle school at NRCA. Even though NRCA's one-size-fits-all curriculum is more advanced than Wake County Public School System curriculum, it's just not rigorous for truly gifted students. My 2 older children have made straight A's without effort and scored in the 95%-tiles on EOG exams. NRCA strengths: The parents are very high quality, educated, and involved. Far more so than WCPSS! Gorgeous facilities! Teachers genuinely love the students. There is ZERO TOLERANCE for "urban behavior," bullying, disruptive behavior, foul language, baggy pants, body piercings, or shaggy hair. Students are from high quality, highly educated parents. Students are polite and respectful. Best of all no public school politics!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our child's first year at NRCA (upper elementary) and while we are pleased academically, we are discouraged by how unwelcoming both the parents and students have been to our family. If you start school here in kindergarten then you will likely be happy but don't expect a warm welcome if you enter later. The parents are nice enough but they do not try to get to know you or let you get to know them. And sadly that is the same attitude that their children reflect. Admissions let us down because they indicated a buddy would be assigned to our child to help him become acclimated and meet people and he never received that companion. Unsure if we will return next year.
—Submitted by a parent

We are enjoying our eighth year at this wonderful Christian school. Our children have thrived spiritually, academically, and mentally. The staff is top-notch and take the time to listen to our children. Every opportunity is made available to our children in extra-curricular activities: you can choose from a variety of sports and fine arts activities. This school is a God-send with a God-story behind it. We highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had the unique and wonderful opportunity to host an international student in our home for a second year now. We have thoroughly enjoyed learning our Chinese child's culture and sharing our own with her. It has been inspiring to watch our international child rise to the challenge of learning a new language and learning to study in a new language. We hope to have built a lifelong relationship with our international child and are thankful to be able to influence and love her for Christ.
—Submitted by a parent

My family is very pleased with this school. We just moved from another state and our children always attended private schools. Our children love the school. They are challenged. The staff and teachers are wonderful. They are always kind, and the teachers are very loving to the children. I highly recommend this school if you want your children to be challenged and want a great Christian environment. We are blessed to have our three children attend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have thoroughly enjoyed me experiences at NRCA. I am so thankful that the Lord called me to this ministry. Every year my heart is blessed to see the Lord working in students lives. It is truly an honor to be a part of NRCA and the fulfillment of Luke 2:52 in students lives that they might grow physically, academically, spiritually, and socially all for the glory of God.
—Submitted by a teacher

What a breath of fresh air! This is our first year at NRCA. As parents of a 1st grade and 4th grade child, we could not be happier. It has been a wonderful experience and a breath of fresh air coming from the public schools. Our children are happy, excited, and challenged. We even enjoy the carline because of the wonderful smiles of the teachers. Orientation last week was so helpful. It was another confirmation of our choice.
—Submitted by a parent

Not pleased with the culture of judgemental attitudes and average one-paced education evident currently.. After two years at NRCA, we didn't return this year.
—Submitted by a parent

My three children are all graduates of NRCA. They were well-prepared for college. We were appreciative of the scholarship dollars two of them received. Each of them have different memories because they were engaged in different activities. Two loved the sports and opportunities it gave them. One was a lover of the arts and have a great time in the theater program. Two have graduated from college and are doing well. One will graduate next year. We have nothing but good memories and thankful hearts for what NRCA meant to our family. It was a great choice for us.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been been at NRCA since its 1996 beginning. The founding superintendent has sought to provide the very best in academics, fine arts, and athletics, always integrating into every program the biblical principles of God s Word so that we not only teach students how to make a living but how to make a life. Having test scores 3 to 4 years above the national average, thousands of dollars in college scholarships for our graduates, 100% graduation rates, and 100% college acceptance rates speak for the Academy s success academically. Over 71% of the class of 2012 received $50,000 or more in college scholarships. The superintendent is engaged with students, student activities, particularly with the senior class on their trips to New York and Europe. At the request of his teachers, a number of years ago, he has planned adult trips every three years for his staff and the school family. As I have personally experienced, these trips have been beneficial educationally and relationally. Under his leadership, it has been a great place for the education of my own child and to work as a team in this ministry of Kingdom education. I highly recommend NRCA due to its leadership and staff.
—Submitted by a teacher

Our daughter graduated from North Raleigh Christian Academy several years ago. She received an excellent education academically, biblically, culturally and socially. The faculty and administration are an outstanding group of gifted and talented educators who care deeply about preparing each student for the next academic chapter of their lives. Students are not only taught how to make a living but also how to make a life. Our daughter was on the Dean's List for all four years at one of the state's leading universities. One of her favorite memories was the senior trip to Europe. The superintendent planned the trip and travelled with the students teaching and inspiriing each student as they toured the major historic sites in England, France and Italy. His involvement and genuine concern for each student has been a blessing to our family.
—Submitted by a parent

It is sad that NRCA provides an environment of such exclusivity in which non-evangelicals are not accepted or allowed to thrive. The focus is on a very fundamentalist set of rules enforced by a superintendent that is very self-absorbed. Children are taught to judge others and exposed to a limited knowledge base that creates a "culture shock" situation when entering a college environment. Incredibly strict regulations also cause students to acquire a lack of respect for authority figures that are no more lenient to seniors than to kindergarteners.

Too bad I can't leave this school a zero star rating. I don't know where to start, teachers nor principals won't return calls, issues with bullying my child. She won't be re-enrolling agian next year!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been overall very pleased with this school. We have 2 children in the elementary school. So I can only speak to that curriculum. We have had concerns about the "in the box" and the lack of creativity in the teaching. They teach to one type of child.....above average (not AG) and don't offer anything for those that are AG. The facilities are top notch, the teachers all seem caring and when we take our kids...we feel good about the environment in which they are learning. The kingdom education is a bonus for us!!!
—Submitted by a parent