Nanaimo Christian School

Coordinates: 49°10′21″N 123°59′56″W / 49.1726°N 123.9989°W / 49.1726; -123.9989

Nanaimo Christian School is a combined elementary and high school in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada.

School Programs

Elementary

Teachers strive to present a cohesive, integral curriculum which allows for student participation through input, following though on individual curiosities and areas of interest. This, in K-7, is mostly through the use of themes, although does not exclude direct teaching and specific subjects. Subjects include "informal" French in primary grades, core French (5-12,) musical theatre (10-12,) and band (6-9). The core (traditional disciplines of Mathematics, Language Arts [English], Social Studies, Science, Fine Arts, P. Arts, Bible, Physical Education, etc.) chapels, extracurricular sports, service projects and the like make up the typical student timetable.

High School

The High School, 9-12, offer a core of traditional subjects that include: Social Studies, Science, Math, English and French. This is complemented by other courses that include: Applied Skills, Fine Arts (Band and Drama), Physical Education, Computers and Bible. Students are involved in weekly chapels, morning devotions, intramural and extracurricular sports.

Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre (Junior: grades 9+10 and Senior: grades 11+12) is a course at Nanaimo Christian School and is taken very seriously. The school community has worked very hard to link a large part of the school's identity to this twice yearly event. NCS's Senior Musical Theatre has put on sold-out productions of: Les Misérables,2004 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 2005 Fiddler on the Roof, 2006 Annie 2006, West Side Story, 2007, 42nd street 2008,Wizard of Oz ,2009, and Anne of Green Gables, the musical, in 2010. Unforuntately 2011 was a fail, and they did a non musical, Narnia, which not many liked, and "A Christmas Story" in 2011. But the grade 9's and 10's also did a few plays as well, including a play called "Memories of Friendship", which they wrote themselves in 2009, and Merry Christmas Charlie Brown/The Grinch, in 2010. The program grew in the fall of 2006 with the addition of a the Junior Musical program. This means that the theatre teachers get to work with their theatre students for four years. This greatly enhances their ability to give the students a meaningful theatre experience.

NCS's Credentials

Nanaimo Christian School is certified by the Province of British Columbia. It is rated, educationally, as a group one school under the Independent School Act. This ensures that it is operated by an "authority" (board of directors) and established as a society. NCS has an educational program which is organized and purposeful. This enables students to fulfil the quest of their calling. Being a group one school has many requirements. Highlights are: all teachers must have proper certification, the educational program must comply with the ministry's requirements and the school undergoes a full external evaluation every six years as well as being monitored on a regular basis.

The board, elected by participating members of its non-profit society, has authority under the Society Act and Independent School Act. The board takes guidance in educational matters from its membership with external service organizations - the Society of Christian Schools in B.C. (SCSBC), the Federation of Independent Schools Association and Christian Schools International. The administration team (Principal, Vice-Principal, curriculum coordinators and assistants) is involved in the Christian Principals Association of B.C. All the teachers have membership in the Christian Teacher Association of B.C. Finally, all the staff may also be involved in SCSBC committee structure. The staff participates with parents in the school's internal committee structure to shape the curriculum and overall school program.

NCS's Facilities

There are more than adequate facilities for the current school population. NCS has three main buildings on a 6-acre (24,000 m²) campus. The gym houses a full volleyball court with room for basketball. The school has a large playing field which holds our new Anna Barber Memorial playground. School property borders on city parkland designated to be converted to recreational use. The school hopes to jointly participate in that conversion.

The school has started construction on a new 3-story building that is scheduled to be completed for Spring 2008. The new building has been open for one and a half years now as well as a new stage, which was used for the production The Music Man performed by the grades 9 and 10.

NCS's Core Values

Unity "We recognize our differences and value our uniqueness, while we celebrate our unity in Christ."

Grace "We realize that we are saved by grace and we practice grace in all our relationships, as God's Spirit directs us."

Achievement "We strive for our individual best in all areas of our lives, while encouraging and appreciating the gifts of others."

Servanthood "We faithfully follow the Lord Jesus Christ as His Spirit directs."

Stewardship "We take care of God's creation by using our talents wisely and responsibly."