Vision Statement: North Raleigh Christian Academy stands as a lighthouse to those seeking a Christ-centered place of excellence with a loving and caring environment where students can launch into adult life equipped with the character and skills to navigate successfully for God’s service.
NRCA publishes an annual State of School report covering the previous school year. We are excited to review and reflect on the last year as we celebrate all God has done through His school. This year’s publication details the 2023-2024 school year, as NRCA marked 28 years of ministry. NRCA is God’s school, and our mission and focus remain unchanged—to seek God in everything we do through His ministry. We have much to remember and much more to accomplish and, of course, exciting times ahead as we continue to partner with our families and community in Kingdom education.
Dr. Kevin Mathes Superintendent
Dr. Kevin Mathes, Superintendent
NRCA Senior Spreads Love and Cheer to Local Pediatric Patients and Nurses
Senior Mary Margaret Hodgson took NRCA’s schoolwide theme of “Fully Known” into the community in December 2023 when she coordinated an outreach project that made nurses and pediatric patients feel seen, known, and loved.
Hodgson, who worked as a CNA during her senior year, had a passion for giving back to the community during the Christmas season.
“I see a lot of patients who don’t have families come to see them during the holidays, and they don’t get anything other than a card. Or just a note. I also see a lot of nurses who work overtime. They don’t get to see their families on Christmas because they choose to help these patients because that’s their passion,” Hodgson said. Her experience prompted her to look for ways to serve the vulnerable and honor those who care for people in medical crisis.
Hodgson created a GoFundMe to help raise money for the project and posted it on Facebook and Instagram. “I had a lot of family and friends repost it, and I was able to raise close to $1,500,” she said.
To help identify needs that her project could meet, Hodgson once again got an assist from social media. “I made a post and said what I wanted to do and what I was looking for, and we were sent a lot of [names of] connections,” she said. Her mom, Leisha, teaches art at NRCA and helped her get the word out on social media. Hodgson received many replies and selected the places she thought had the greatest need.
“I really wanted to make little gift bags for pediatric patients who are going in and out of care who don’t have a Christmas like other children do. And I wanted to make little snack bags as encouragement for nurses and staff,” Hodgson said.
Ultimately, Hodgson donated about 150 gift bags for pediatric patients at Wake Med Pediatrics. She delivered the same number of gift bags for pediatric patients to the same-day surgical center at Duke Raleigh Hospital. The bags were designed with input from pediatric nurses.
“There was a teddy bear. A couple of different fidgets because I know that for a lot of kids, that was a big thing. I reached
out to the nurses and asked them, ‘What do you think they would like?’ I also wanted to be able for older kids to enjoy it.” Hodgson continued, “There were coloring books, crayons, playdough, little things like that— not things that get messy or anything but just little things.”
To show appreciation for the nurses who made sacrifices to care for patients over the holidays, Hodgson asked what kind of snacks they would enjoy. She shared that they responded that they would enjoy “protein bars, chips, some candy, and a lot of energy types of things and breakfast things.” Hodgson delivered baskets of treats to the nursing staff at Wake Med, and many were able to thank her personally for reaching out to let them know they were remembered for all they do to care for their patients.
After graduating from NRCA, Hodgson plans to attend Appalachian State and major in nursing.
Our Schoolwide Theme in Review
Our schoolwide theme for 2023-24 was “Fully Known.” We spent the academic year in our classrooms, programs, and events focusing on what it means to know God, be known by God, and, in turn, see, know, and love others in community. Psalm 139:1 was the central verse for our theme: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.”
Valograms on Valentine’s
North Raleigh Christian Academy celebrated Valentine’s Day with the seniors handing out Valograms to students and staff. There were a few different options that friends and family could send to brighten someone’s day, including flowers, songs, and candy. During homeroom in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, the seniors prepped for Valograms.
Valograms brought fun and joy to all the students and teachers who participated. Elementary students enjoyed the attention the seniors gave them while delivering Valograms. The middle schoolers, on the other hand, had mixed reactions. Some of them enjoyed it, and others got embarrassed by all the attention.
Linton recalled hearing an elementary student say, “I can’t wait until I’m a senior so I can do this,” as the seniors were leaving one classroom. “It’s a blessing to the student body for Valentine’s Day, but it also allows students a glimpse into how special senior year is,” Linton said. Every year as the tradition returns, many seniors talk about how excited they are to deliver Valograms to all their younger classmates.
“The seniors worked together so well to put the candy bags together and organize them into classes and grades. However, the best part was seeing the seniors deliver the Valograms. They’re dressed out in everything pink, red, and white and are so enthusiastic. It’s fun to watch how much fun they have and how much fun the rest of the school has as the seniors deliver candy, flowers, songs, and messages from family and friends,” said senior homeroom teacher Abbie Linton.
From the start of the Valograms, senior teacher and Valograms coordinator Suzanne Lyczkowski (Ms. L) encouraged the seniors to make all the students and teachers feel “Fully Known” and loved. “Fully Known” is NRCA’s annual theme. This year, enough seniors participated that almost every student had individual attention from their Valograms delivery team. Valograms are always one of the major highlights for everyone at NRCA. The day brings joy to students and staff as the seniors give them all the attention and have all the energy to make it an exciting day that everyone looks forward to.
By Finley Huneycutt, Shield Editor, and Shield Staff
NRCA’s Elementary Showcase premiered in June 2024. The mini magazine highlighted learning activities from each grade level, kindergarten through fifth grade. Featuring ideas for a super summer and articles on field trips, events, and collaborative activities between grades, the publication gave members of the lower and upper elementary divisions a chance to share their voices in celebrating a year of being “Fully Known” and honoring others.
SCAN HERE
To view the NRCA Elementary Showcase
As NRCA endeavors to fulfill its mission and realize its vision, our ministry is characterized by the following:
“But
whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
JOHN 3:21
Intellectual Development
The Christian mind should be the best mind, enlightened by the mind of Christ and one that integrates God’s principles with academic pursuits. The Ends priorities are to develop students with a biblical worldview who are well prepared in all academic disciplines with an emphasis on:
• Accurately interpreting the Word of God.
• Mastering communication skills.
• Showing proficiency in mathematics and science.
• Understanding history and God’s role in it.
• Appreciating literature and the arts.
• Reasoning and thinking critically.
• Finding, analyzing, evaluating, and appropriately using information.
• Integrating faith and learning in all academic disciplines.
• Developing innovative curriculum and programs.
• Teaching Bible as an essential core subject in the academic curriculum.
Christian Leadership
The Board of Governors, Superintendent, administration, faculty, and staff shall be committed followers of Christ, teaching and leading from a biblically integrated perspective. The Ends priorities of those engaged with the school’s governance, leadership, and teaching will be to:
• Model Christ in their teaching and leading.
• Reflect and support the school’s mission and core values.
• Understand and focus on achieving the school’s vision and expected outcomes.
• Exhibit love, justice, humility, and service throughout the community.
• Implement in all cultural contexts a thoroughly biblical philosophy of education.
• Reflect a Christ-like sensitivity relevant to a diverse school community.
SCHOOL CORE VALUES
Truth
Scripture is the revealed Word of God and is taught as truth, which is then integrated into the learning experience. Students are taught that the Ends priorities are:
• All truth is God’s truth.
• They are created in the image of God.
• They must confront the issue of sin and redemption.
• They can know God as revealed in Christ and made present by the Holy Spirit.
• They can have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
• They can live honestly and responsibly.
• They can fulfill God’s plan for their lives.
Potential in Christ
Every learning experience aims to enable students to reach their full potential in Christ. Ends priorities will focus teaching on:
• Providing programs and services appropriate for the student.
• Establishing awareness of the student’s relationship and responsibility to society.
• Developing students intellectually, spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically through every curricular and co-curricular activity.
• Making disciples.
• Preparing for works of service.
• Developing an eternal view of life.
• Thinking and processing information in the context of a biblical worldview.
Operational Integrity
The school’s day-to-day operational practices are a consistent model of integrity, efficiency, and accountability. Ends priorities of biblical values are consistently implemented as the school:
• Reflects the high road to policy development and accountability in board governance.
• Manages people resources ethically and justly.
• Manages and monitors school finances with integrity and disclosure.
• Conducts straightforward and Christ-like relations with the government and its agencies.
• Creates ethical, clear, and open strategies in business, development, marketing, and personnel.
• Conducts fair and consistent classroom management.
• Reflects honesty, openness, and fairness in parent relations.
• Maintains high academic standards with internal and external evaluation.
• Initiates a plan of consistent evaluation and assessment for continuous improvement.
STAFF CORE VALUES
“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
DEUTERONOMY 6:7
Evangelism
We believe there is nothing more important than encouraging people to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We desire to disseminate the gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible. We believe the ultimate purpose in living is to know and glorify God and to attain eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, beginning within our own school families and then reaching beyond to the rest of the world that does not know of his love and sacrifice.
Assisting Families
NRCA started by having a mission that included, “assisting families.” Our primary focus each and every day is simply meeting the needs of our families and friends. It is our calling.
Excellence
We focus on the details to provide the highest level of quality we can achieve for the glory of God and the benefit of our constituents
God’s Ministry
This ministry was God’s idea, and we do not own it. We are simply the stewards of the opportunities and the resources he sends our way.
Sense of Community
People will make a decision about who Jesus is by the way we treat them and the way we treat each other. Therefore, our responses will be personal, gracious, timely, and generous.
Integrity
Because we live before an all-seeing God and are subject to public scrutiny, we attempt to be above reproach in the operation of this ministry by holding ourselves to the highest standards of accountability. We want to be worthy of the trust that has been placed in us by our school families.
Family
We believe that the institution of marriage was intended by God to be a permanent, lifelong relationship between a man and a woman, regardless of the trials, sickness, financial reverses, or emotional stresses that may ensue. We believe that children are a heritage from God and a blessing from his hand. We are therefore accountable to him for raising, shaping, and preparing them for a life of service to his Kingdom and to humanity. We believe that human life is of inestimable worth and significance in all its dimensions, including the unborn, the aged, the widowed, the mentally handicapped, the unattractive, the physically challenged, and every other condition in which humanness is expressed from conception to the grave.
Kingdom Education
Kingdom Education is a life-long, Bible-based, Christ-centered process of leading a child to Christ, building a child up in Christ, and equipping a child to serve Christ. We believe that God has ordained three basic institutions—the church, the family, and the government—for the benefit of all humankind. The family exists to provide a safe and secure haven in which to nurture, teach, and love the younger generation. The church exists to minister to individuals and families by sharing the love of God and the message of repentance and salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. The government exists to maintain cultural equilibrium and to provide a framework for social order. The Christian school serves as a bridge in uniting these institutions within the community in the fulfillment of Kingdom Education (Deut. 6:7-9).
Kingdom Education is a campaign for righteousness. This campaign into which we are called is as straightforward as the gospel itself. Our goals are: to bring people to Christ; to deepen the walk of those who have been nominal believers; to clearly introduce the doctrines of his Lordship, sin, repentance, forgiveness, and justification by faith to those who do not know God or those who only know him as a Friend and Creator; to point everyone to the resurrection and to judgment in the next world; to encourage young people and their parents to live by his standard of holiness and obedience to the Lord; to encourage intensive scriptural study and application of his Word to all areas of life; to motivate the people of God to practical actions in their communities and our nation in defense of righteousness; and to inspire those who are working at NRCA to love one another in a way that is pleasing to him and displays to all the love of Christ. Let Kingdom Education burn within the hearts of every member of NRCA, and let it take root in each office, class, program, and activity of this ministry.
NEW STAFF
2023-24 School Year
NRCA’s School Improvement Plan codifies the mission, vision, values, and direction of NRCA. It defines who we are and what is important to us. It is the road map of where we want to go and how we arrive over the next five years. It is a living document developed by our stakeholders that will be continuously evaluated, monitored, and managed for student learning and school effectiveness. NRCA has identified four strategies that serve as the foundation for school improvement. The four strategies below have been identified through stakeholder engagement and collaboration in developing NRCA’s School Improvement Plan.
Strategy 1: Kingdom Education Fulfillment
To foster a reaffirmation of our commitment to the primacy of Kingdom Education by embedding and deepening the principles of our ministry statements into all facets of academy life.
Strategy 2: Curriculum and Technology Enhancement
To sustain, enhance, and develop early education through twelfth-grade academics and technology in all curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular programs consistent with our Christian philosophy.
Strategy 3: Stakeholder Engagement
To develop and deepen stakeholder engagement through the school community.
Strategy 4: Growth and Money Management
To aim for business and operations practices that lead to a sustainable and vibrant future.
PREK Little Knights
ELEMENTARY At a Glance
CURRICULUM
• Abeka
• BJU Press
• Mosdos Press Literature
• Purposeful Design
• The Shurley Method
• Zaner-Bloser
• Various Novels 1st – 5th grades
PreK - The Miracle of Butterflies
The Little Knights PreK marveled at God’s creation as they watched and learned the process of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Students exercised patience and gentleness through the caterpillar and chrysalis stage. Releasing the butterflies was a time of excitement and joy as they witnessed and celebrated how our loving God can bring new life.
Kindergarten students are learning about the Engineering Process in STEM. We are learning about how fearfully and wonderfully we are created by exploring different parts of the body. The students had fun with models of bones, stomach, muscles and even built a set of lungs out of Ziplok bags.
1st Grade-Book Publishers
As part of the first graders’ sentence structure unit, Mrs. Foster’s students published their first book, Mrs. Foster’s Hive! The process consisted of drafts, edits, revisions, and illustrations by each child highlighting their favorite things. You can find the book in the Children’s Nonfiction section in the NRCA Media Center.
ANNUAL TESTING
• Iowa Achievement Test • Cogat Cognitive Abilities Test (2nd & 5th)
NRCA’s elementary division averages annual scores higher than 80% of the nation in the areas of language, math, and reading.
Enrichment Classes
2nd Grade - Entrepreneurs
NRCA second-grade students had the opportunity to be little entrepreneurs at Market Day! Students chose a good to make and sell as producers, bought goods as consumers, and even had to budget their money in order to get what they wanted, which allowed them to see opportunity cost on display.
ENHANCED CURRICULUM
• Project Lead the Way Stem Program
• LEGO Education Robotics Program
• Code.org
5th Grade - Creative Gospel Tracts
3rd Grade - World Travelers
Our third-grade students have been learning about different world regions, including continents and territories. Each student could choose a country or territory and create a “Country Board” or a PowerPoint presentation. They then presented their work to the class, where they did a fantastic job!
Mr. Jencks’ fifth-grade class created gospel tracts utilizing design elements to present the gospel message in a unique and creative manner. Each tract has answers to ten essential questions that highlight key theological points of the gospel message. The students also included relevant scriptures to support the answers to each question and are now eagerly looking forward to presenting their gospel tracks to students in other grade levels and fellow peers!
4th Grade - Newton’s Law
The fourth-grade students took a field trip to the United Skates of America. There they reviewed Newton’s laws of physics including inertia and friction in a STEM workshop, and then they put those principles into practice with rollerblades and skates!
NRCA’s Elementary Showcase, launched in June 2024, highlighted learning from K-5 with summer ideas, field trips, events, and classroom highlights.
NRCA’s Elementary Showcase, launched in June 2024, highlighted learning from K-5 with summer ideas, field trips, events, and classroom highlights.
SCAN HERE
To view the NRCA Elementary Showcase
NRCA is pleased to announce that the 2024 Iowa Assessments K-8 test results again showcased the extraordinary efforts of NRCA teachers, students, and families who support them. As demonstrated on these graphs, each grade level tested (kindergarten through eighth grade) exceeded the average scores of other ACSI schools across the nation as well as that of all Iowa test takers across the Southeast region—in every content area.
ACSI SOUTHEAST NRCA
KINDERGARTEN
2ND GRADE
3RD GRADE
4TH GRADE
7TH GRADE
5TH GRADE
8TH GRADE
READING-NPR WRITTEN EXPRESSION-NPR CONVENTIONSOFWRITING-NPRVOCABULARY-NPRELATOTAL-NPRMATHEMATICS-NPRCOMPUTATION-NPRMATHTOTAL-NPR
The Iowa Assessments are evidence-based, technically sound assessments that measure student achievement and growth against next generation learning standards. These assessments are built to a carefully constructed test blueprint, and the content specifications are focused on current best-in-class state, national, and international benchmarks and standards of educational achievement. Iowa testing is designed to allow for comparisons and interpretations of growth and college and career readiness. Iowa Assessments measure concepts, processes, and objectives taught throughout the nation in Reading, Written Expression, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. This complete testing program provides teachers and parents with valuable and in-depth information in all subject areas.
MIDDLE SCHOOL At a Glance 366
TOTAL ENROLLMENT 2023-2024
6th Grade – Hands-On Learning Experience
In a creative math lesson, our sixth graders used play dough to dive into the world of fractions. They actively recognized, found, named, and wrote fractions such as 1/3, 1/4, 2/4, and 3/4 by shaping their dough into various lengths and quantities. The students also practiced writing simple fractions, discovering that 1/2 of 6 equals 3 while recognizing the equivalence of 2/4 to 1/2. This hands-on approach not only made learning fractions fun but also helped solidify their understanding of these important mathematical concepts.
ANNUAL TESTING
• Iowa Achievement Test
• Cogat Cognitive Abilities Test (8th)
NRCA’s middle school division averages annual scores higher than the national norms in areas of language, math, and reading.
7th PERIOD LIFE SKILLS
• Spiritual Growth
• Organization
• Time Management/Personal Responsibility
• Active Listening
• Note Taking/Summarizing/ Test-Taking Skills
7th Grade - Bringing Math to Life
“Mrs. Black, when are we ever going to use this?” is a question students ask on a regular basis when learning about concepts in pre-algebra. In response, Mrs. Black decided to take learning beyond the four walls of their math classroom to help students discover this answer.
Students applied their knowledge of perimeter to determine how much wood would be used to construct flower beds inside and outside the greenhouse, as well as calculate volume to determine how much soil they would use to fill the beds. Students also determined how much mulch was needed to cover the soil using their knowledge of surface area. They discussed other ways a variety of concepts they learned could be applied to other areas of the greenhouse. After collecting all this data, the students were asked to research how much money would be required to buy the materials for each section of the project. When the students completed this project, they returned with a far better understanding of these mathematical concepts. They now understand how these concepts could be used in real life and can apply them outside the classroom. Who knows — someday they may be designing a flower bed near you.
To view the Middle School Insider’s Guide of our Course Curriculum North Raleigh Christian Academy
8th Grade - Exploring Chemical Changes
The objective of the lab was to evaluate observable evidence of physical and chemical changes and identify the differences between the two. The students learned that physical changes occur without any changes in identity. In other words, no new substances appear as a result of the change. Objects undergo a change that does not change their chemical nature. A physical change involves a change in physical properties such as texture, shape, size, color, odor, volume, mass, weight, density, or a change of state (i.e., solid to liquid).
On the other hand, when chemical changes take place, a change in identity also occurs. Some common signs of a chemical change the students were able to observe were bubbles of gas, the formation of a precipitate (solid), an unexpected color change, or a gain or release of energy (heat or light).
STUDENT STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT
Charles Beguelin
VICE-PRESIDENT
Niklas Young
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Caroline Newell
9TH-GRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Giulia Cassino
CHAPLAIN
Connor Christensen
6TH GRADE
Representative: Luca Berry
Miss Adams Camille McTaggart
Mrs. Comer Harrison Ritter
Mr. Kruger Adalynn Huffman
Mrs. Overton Alexander Vaughn
Mr. Rosario Mia Ruppert
7TH GRADE
Representative: Lilly Brown
Mrs. Black Quinn Patton
Mr. Lester Kristian Lloyd
Mrs. Lilly Annelise Chalker
Mr. Oros Ayva Olivotti
Mrs. West Micah Bartholomew
8TH GRADE
Representative: KJ Brown
Mr. Bridges Graham Gutekunst
Mr. Gallman Silas Jurls
Mrs. Gealy Parker Adkins
Mr. Parrish Baylor Howard
Mrs. Robinson Elijah Wofford
9TH GRADE
Mrs. Eaddy Sydney Trollip
Mr. Lee Camille Garnuette
Mrs. McCoy Cece Gue
Mr. Miranda Ashton Dalton
Mr. Pinon Tyler Stavlas
Dr. Weitzel Holden Hodges
10TH GRADE
Mrs. Bailey Olivia Bangs
Mr. Blanchard Brady Oliver
Dr. Savage Meredith Parker
Mrs. Stephens Gabriella Gibb
Mr. Williams Alexis Herring
Mr. Willison Audrey Dowler
11TH GRADE
Mr. Dean Charles Frazier
Mr. Gealy Anna Cate Badin
Mr. Huffman John Matson
Mr. Sandy Natalie Massengill
Mrs. Schulte Christopher Gomez
Mrs. Waite Zoe Richardson
12TH GRADE
Dr. Evans Steven Messiah
Mrs. Linton Carina Cooper
Miss Lyczkowski Eliana Poteat
Mrs. Perry Cassidy Coutts
Mr. Severs Jaidyn Kavadias
Mrs. Stott Blane Autry
HIGH SCHOOL At a Glance 529
Anatomy Students Explore the Brain Through Dissection
Did you know a sheep brain weighs only 1/10 as much as an adult human brain? Mrs. McCoy’s anatomy class learned this fact and more with a hands-on opportunity to dissect sheep brains as part of the nervous system unit. Students were tasked with dissecting a sheep’s brain during anatomy class to further understand the complexity of the organ. It is amazing to see God’s creation in the smallest detail, like finding the small pituitary gland in the center of the brain and all the different types of tissue that make up the brain.
• 9th grade: PreACT
• 10th grade: PreACT
• 11th grade: PSAT/NMSQT and ACT
• 12th grade: ACT
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete community services hours each year and take part in a mission trip to meet NRCA graduation requirements.
Bring Fables to Life for Kindergarten Classes
Mrs. Savage’s 10th-grade Honors English class brought creativity to life while studying Things Fall Apart. As part of their lesson on fables, the students crafted their own imaginative tales and had the exciting opportunity to perform them for the kindergarten classes. The project not only allowed the older students to explore storytelling techniques but also created a fun and interactive experience for the younger audience. It was a wonderful example of how storytelling bridges generations and fosters creativity.
ANNUAL TESTING SCAN HERE
To view the Middle School Insider’s Guide of our Course Curriculum
AP Psychology Students Explore Hands-On Sensation and Perception
Seniors in Ms. Lyczkowski’s AP Psychology classes learned about sensation and perception through several hands-on demonstrations. One of the stand-out activities included using inversion goggles, which flip the visual field upside down. They attempted several different everyday tasks challenging coordination and spatial awareness, such as catching a ball, drinking from the water fountain, and tracing shapes. Another favorite was the taste test experiment, where students discovered just how much smell influences taste. Other demonstrations included optical and auditory illusions and movement and balance exercises. These engaging activities brought the course content to life and sparked curiosity among students about God’s intelligent design for how our senses shape our everyday experiences.
NRCAplus VIRTUAL ACADEMY
NRCA offers a signicant list of courses outside on-campus classes through NRCAPlus. Here is a sample of what is offered:
AP Courses
• AP Computer Science A
• AP Human Geography
• AP Macro & Microeconomics
• AP Statistics
Full Credit Courses
• French, Latin, German, Chinese, ASL
• Marine Science
• Forensic Science
Half Credit Courses
(2 must be taken in one year)
• Digital Photography
• Game Design
• Music Appreciation
• Personal and Family Finance
• ACT/SAT Prep
DUAL ENROLLMENT
The College at Southeastern awarded college credit for seven courses taught at NRCA.
Honors Philosophy
PHI1100 Intro to Philosophy
AP United States History
HIS3510 American History I
AP English Language & Composition
ENG1110 English Composition I
Christianity and Culture
THE3110 Intro to Christian Theology
AP English Literature & Composition
ENG1120 English Composition II
AP Psychology
PSY2600 Intro to Psychology
Christian Living
REL1100 Intro to the Christian Religion
SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS
Valedictorian Joey Chitla
Salutatorian Dylan Lithgow
L inton’s
Looneys
Field Day Homeroom Themes
Field Day Winner: The Alians (Miss Lyczkowski’s Homeroom)
Powderpuff King Gavin Galligan
Rock Signing
Valograms
Orlando Trip
Europe Trip
Homecoming Queen Lillie Wright
SENIOR CAPSTONE
A Higher Calling, A Healthier Community
“God does not need your good works… but your neighbor does.”
-Martin Luther
These words, penned by Reformation theologian Martin Luther, serve as a summary of the heart and drive behind Senior Capstone.
Senior Capstone is a program created by the NRCA Administration and Bible Department with the goal of allowing NRCA seniors to develop a service-oriented project tailored to their unique talents and gifts.
After four years of planning and modification, the current version of Senior Capstone is based on the demonstration of the four Expected Student Outcomes of an NRCA graduate: Spiritual Formation, Worldview Orientation, Academic Thinking, and Skills Development.
Successful senior projects share several important characteristics. They demonstrate a depth of investment and insight, exhibit a significant level of personal challenge, connect the student to a larger community, and advance a student’s ability to articulate how his or her biblical worldview has been explored, challenged, or changed by the project experience.
Seniors begin brainstorming their possible topics during the first quarter and develop those ideas into a working proposal near the end of the fall semester. Once the students have their plans approved, they begin work on implementation. The project topics are as unique and varied as the individuals who develop them. However, they tend to fall into one of six categories: academic, artistic, STEM, service, business, or athletic.
As NRCA has recently updated its high school Bible curriculum, several elements of Capstone development were placed within the Scope and Sequence of the new senior Bible course, Christian Living. Over the course of the year, seniors will wrestle with ideas about what it means to be an image bearer, how gifts and talents are
made available to individuals, the concept of vocation and calling, and the importance of serving others. Students will use those concepts and topics to help guide their own development and implementation of their project.
Senior Capstone also is a great opportunity to demonstrate the various school themes over the years. In 20222023, NRCA used “Love God, Love Others” as its school theme, followed by “Fully Known” in 2023-2024. The 2024-2025 school year is focused around “Excellence.” All three are important in understanding the purpose and intent of Senior Capstone.
Love God, Love Others
According to the Westminster Catechism, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Thus, every Capstone should start out with the goal to honor and glorify God using the gifts and talents He has bestowed. There is no greater commandment. But, as Jesus stated, the second greatest commandment is to love others. Senior Capstone should focus on the honor and glory of the Creator, but only as it is outwardly focused to demonstrate care and compassion for others in need.
Fully Known
To accomplish this task, seniors need to truly understand their unique gifts, talents, opportunities, and callings. Through discussions about image bearing, calling, vocation, and equipping, seniors should develop a greater sense of their identity and purpose in Christ. Once the seniors know who they are in Christ, they are more equipped to affect the world and community around them for Christ.
Excellence
NRCA recently updated its definition of excellence, moving from a metric based
on human achievement to one rooted in knowing Christ and making Him known. Excellent actions, then, are ones designed to work for the Lord rather than for men. In the context of Senior Capstone, an excellent project is a project where the skills invested into our students are applied in a context of making more of Christ. The attention is not on our seniors but on how our seniors magnify the name of Christ by giving freely of themselves to serve others. While many assignments and tasks students face during their high school years are one-size-fits-all, Senior Capstone allows the individuality of each senior to shine through. It highlights the fact that God has gifted each senior in unique and personal ways; however, it does not stop with the senior. Each project should attempt to affect the surrounding community in a manner that allows the senior to be true image bearers of God: to care for what is broken, to cure what is diseased, to confront what is evil, and to cultivate what is good. These are the good works Luther had in mind.
God does not need the works of the NRCA senior class. He is complete and sufficient in His own existence. But, as a product of His grace, He uses the works of His people to bless those around them. In a broken and lost world, Senior Capstone provides an opportunity for students to know who they are in Christ, how they have been gifted by the Spirit, and how to use those gifts. Because, when done in the power of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of God, those gifts create the good works our neighbors need to point them to the power of the good news of the gospel. Our seniors can have no higher calling.
By Dr. Mitch Evans, Senior Bible Teacher
On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, seniors attended the second annual NRCA Senior Seminar Day. The afternoon session featured a sampling of outstanding Senior Capstone projects. Presenters included the following: Morgan Brookhart (who worked with MakeA-Wish Foundation), Gio Thrasybule (who prepared and served hot meals for families in the Salvation Army shelter), Emma Grace Risinger (who partnered with Refugee Hope Partners to help tutor students), Kaitlyn Snead (who organized craft workshops for patients at Wake Med Children’s Hospital), and Oyinda Idowu (who created a campaign to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and heart health).
Colleges where NRCA Graduates have attended
Academy of Art University
Anderson University (SC)
Appalachian State University
Arizona State University
Auburn University
Averett University
Babson College
Barton College
Baylor University
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont University
Benedictine University at Mesa
Berklee College of Music
Binghamton University
Biola University
Bob Jones University
Boston College
Boston University
Brandeis University
Brevard College
Bridgewater College
Brunswick Community College
Bucknell University
California Polytechnic State University (San Luis)
Calvin College
Campbell University
Cape Fear Community College
Carnegie Mellon University
Carson Newman College
Catawba College
Cedarville University
Charleston Southern
Chowan University
Christopher Newport University
Clark University
Clearwater Christian College
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston
College of William and Mary
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia University
Converse College
Cornell University
Covenant College
Davidson
Depaul University
Drexel University
Duke University
Durham Technical Community College
East Carolina University
Eastern University
Eckerd College
Elizabeth City State University
Elon University
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Emmanuel College
Emmaus Bible College
Emory and Henry College
Fayetteville State University
Ferrum College
Fire School of Ministry
Fisher College
Florida International University
Florida Southern University
Florida State University
Fordham University
Fork Union Military Academy
Franklin & Marshall College
Full Sail University
Furman University
Gardner-Webb University
George Washington University
Georgia Tech University
Glenville State College
Gordon College
Grace College
Graceland University
Grand Canyon University
Greensboro College
Greenville College
Hamilton College
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampton University
Harvard University
High Point University
Hillsdale College
Hofstra University
Hollins University
Horry-Georgetown Tech
Howard University
Illinois Eastern Community College
Illinois Wesleyan University
Indiana University
Iona University
Jackson State University
James Madison University
John Brown University
Johns Hopkins University
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson University, Tennessee
Johnston Community College
Kent State University
King College
Lander University
Lee University
Lees-McRae College
Lenoir Rhyne College
LeTourneau University
Liberty University
Life Christian University
Lipscomb University
Living Arts College
Living Word Ministry University
Louisburg College
Louisiana State University
Macalester College
Manhattan School of Music
Marion Military Institute
Mars Hill College
Maryland Institute College of Art
Marymount Manhattan College
Marymount University
Meredith College
Messiah College
Methodist University
Miami University (Oxford)
Michigan State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Midlands Technical College
Milligan College
Millikin College
Mississippi College
Mississippi State University
Montreat College
Morningstar Bible College
Mt. Olive College
Nascar Technical Institute
NC Agriculture & Technical University
NC School of Communication Arts
NC State University
NC Wesleyan College
New York University
Nicholls State University
North Greenville University
Northeastern University
Northwestern College
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
Oral Roberts University
Orange Coast College
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Parsons School of Design at The New School
Pellissippi State Community College
Pennsylvania State University
Pensacola Christian College
Pfeiffer University
Pitt Community College
Point Loma Nazarene
Pratt Institute
Presbyterian College
Princeton University
Purdue University
Queens College
Queens University of Charlotte
Radford University
Randolph College
Randolph Community College
Randolph Macon College
Regent University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Roanoke College
Rutgers University
Saint Andrews Presbyterian College
Salve Regina University
Sam Houston State University
Samford University
Savannah College of Art & Design
School of Visual Arts
Seton Hall University
Sewanee: The University of the South
Shorter University
Southeastern University
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Wesleyan University
Stanford University
Stevenson University
Stony Brook University
SUNY - Fredonia
SUNY–Oswego
Sweet Briar College
Syracuse University
Tennessee Temple University
Texas A&M
Texas Christian University
The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham
The Citadel
The College at Southeastern
The Master’s College
The New School (NY)
The Peabody Institute of JHU
The School of Graphic Design
Toccoa Falls College
Tulane University
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
UNC Asheville
UNC Chapel Hill
UNC Charlotte
UNC Greensboro
UNC Pembroke
UNC Wilmington
Union University
University of Alabama
University of Alabama Birmingham
University of California Berkeley
University of California Davis
University of California Irvine
University of California Los Angeles
University of California San Diego
University of Central Florida
University of Cincinnati
University of Connecticut
University of Denver
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Hawaii
University of Illinois Urbana-Chapaign
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Lynchburg
University of Maryland
University of Melbourne
University of Miami
University of MinnesotaTwin Oaks
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri
University of Mount Olive
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Richmond
University of Rochester
University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina Upstate
University of Southern California
University of Tampa
University of Tennessee
University of Toronto
University of Utah
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin
US Military Academy at Westpoint
US Naval Academy
Valencia Community College
Vance Granville Community College
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Military Institute (VMI)
Virginia Tech
Wagner College
Wake Forest University
Wake Technical Community College
Washington and Lee University
Washington University St. Louis
Webb Institute
Western Carolina University
Western Michigan University
Westmont College
Wheaton College
William Peace College
Wingate University
Winston Salem State University
Wofford College
Word of Life Bible Institute
Xavier University of Louisiana
Steven Messiah, NRCA senior, awarded a full-ride scholarship to Princeton University through the QuestBridge program.
ELEMENTARY CHOIR PROGRAMS
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR PROGRAMS
2023-2024 Competition Results
CHOIR & BAND
2024 Fine Arts Festival
hosted at NRCA
• Sixth Grade Choir - Excellent
• Middle School Ensemble - Superior
• Concert Choir - Superior
• Honors Vocal Ensemble - Superior
• Middle School Band - Superior
• High School Wind Ensemble - Superior
• Honors Jazz Ensemble - Superior
The Knights were the only private school to perform among the over 15 North Carolina schools
Tryon Palace Candlelight Christmas Celebration –December 9, 2023, in New Bern, NC (High School Honors Ensemble)
Raleigh Fine Arts Society Elementary Choral Celebration – March 12, 2024, at Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh, NC (5th Grade Choir)
High School Choir at the Spring 2024 ACSI Fine Arts Festival, where they earned a Superior rating.
Celebrating Student Creativity at the 2023 NC State Fair
NRCA’s Art Department sent 18 student artworks to the 2023 NC State Fair, placing sixth among participating high schools. High school artists included Annie Coombs, Sarah Eyster, Katherine Kim, Katherine Matteson, Kailyn Mitro, and Reece Newman, while middle schoolers featured Calen Thomas B., Harper C., Wayne M., Lila R., and Hannah W. First graders created colorful Matisse-inspired pieces.
VISUAL ARTS
KINDERGARTEN - 12TH GRADE 429
2024 Fine Arts Festival
hosted at NRCA
1
Journalism & Media Update
The Shield Online debuted in the spring semester of 2024, featuring student-written NRCA news. In the fall of 2023, The Shield digital magazine shifted from a semiannual collection of school news and features to an annual publication of curated features, giving an in-depth view of the people, events, and programs at the academy. To provide a platform for the many news-related articles student journalists write throughout the year, NRCA created and launched The Shield Online. Articles written for The Shield Online often appear in the School News feed and as highlighted content on the weekly News Blast.
nrcaknights.com/the-shield-online
2023-2024 Yearbook
NRCA’s award-winning full-color yearbook, the Sabre, features the special events that happen throughout the year. Our skilled high school staff is responsible for photography and editing, layout and design of pages, caption and copywriting, and proofing. As part of an annual publication, our staff members learn valuable skills such as time management, organization, communication, budgeting and marketing, and basic publications law. The 2023-2024 theme was “Along for the Ride,” using Deuteronomy 31:8 and Proverbs 4:18 as the central verses. Eleven hundred twenty-five copies of the yearbook were printed, including one for every family represented at NRCA and several for others in the community. The Sabre staff is proud to be recognized in the Jostens National Program of Excellence, reaching the silver level of distinction this year.
1,125
320
25
Theatre Season of Consequence
During the 2023-24 school year, NRCA’s Squire Theatre performed two classics of the American theatre: Thornton Wilder’s Our Town and Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady. These performances engaged audiences through the theme of consequence. The student artists involved, from actors to technicians to crew members, came together to execute a beautiful season of theatre that provided an opportunity for artists and audiences to experience the power of God at work in those involved. May God continue to use the art of theatre to grow and mature NRCA’s student artists and audiences.
In Our Town, the audience watched as the play proceeded through daily life, love, and death. The student artists of Squire Theatre handled the simple, yet poetic language of the play with adeptness. Taking on the iconic role of the Stage Manager, junior Bailey Baker led the audience on a journey through life in the town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. This classic American play demonstrates how the seemingly simple acts of everyday life have a significant impact on one’s future. The care of family in the everyday experiences of life shaped George and Emily into the young people who eventually fall in love in Act II. During the second act, the audience watched as the two young people stumbled their way through falling in love. Their innocent and chaste relationship blossoms into marriage, and how often we enter the covenant of marriage unprepared for the difficulties ahead. Finally, in the third act, Wilder explores the concept of death and how we, as humans, deal with our fate. In a hauntingly
beautiful monologue detailing the beauty of life, sophomore Emma Donovan held the audience spellbound with the power of remembrance and regret. There is great consequence to our choices in life, from the smallest of everyday decisions to the monumental decisions that shape our lives.
The spring musical featured one of the great classics of the American theatre: My Fair Lady. This aristocratic foray features the story of Eliza Doolittle, portrayed enchantingly by junior Finley Mull, as she undergoes great change at the hands of Henry Higgins. The social classes clash as Professor Higgins seeks to transform the lowly Eliza into an elite socialite. Featuring the work of senior Myers Collins as Colonel Pickering, the audience was awed as the beautiful lyrics and soaring music carried them through a thoughtful look at the consequence of how we treat others. As the highbrow professor and the lowly flower girl battle out in linguistic studies, they find themselves taken with one another. However, Henry must learn that the way we treat other people has a serious impact on our most important relationships. Higgins must humble himself to accept the love he shares with Eliza.
God blessed another year of Squire Theatre in an excellent manner that challenged our student artists and stretched our audiences. May the work of these student artists continue to glorify God and bring the message of His goodness and mercy to the audience. See you at the theater!
46 ATHLETIC TEAMS
21 DIFFERENT SPORTS
CONFERENCE MEMBERSHIPS
• Big East Independent Football Conference Division
110 High Hurdles 2007, Pole-vault 2008, 4X800 Relay 2013, Boys 400 meter Run 2014, Boys 800 Meter Run 2014 & 2015, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, High Jump, Triple Jump 2023
Wrestling 152 lbs. 2023
Cheerleading 1998
Golf (Boys) 2000, 2001, 2002, 2021
Athletic Team Runner-Up Year
Golf (Girls) 2022, 2023
Basketball (Boys) 1998
Softball (Girls) 1997, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Basketball (Girls) 2021, 2022
Cross Country (Boys) 1997
Athletic Team Championship Year
Track and Field (Boys) 1998
Soccer (Boys) 2013, 2016
Golf (Boys) 1997, 1998, and 1999
Track and Field (Girls) 1998
Basketball (Girls) 1997, 2019
Softball 2024
Golf (Girls) 2020, 2021
Cross Country (Boys) 1997
Track (Boys) 110 High Hurdles 2007, Pole-vault 2008, 4X800 Relay 2013, Boys 400 meter Run 2014, Boys 800 Meter Run 2014 & 2015, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, High Jump, Triple Jump Wrestling 152 lbs. 2023
North Raleigh Christian Academy is a member of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA). Athletes compete interscholastically at the middle school, junior varsity, and varsity levels. Since joining the NCISAA in 1997, NRCA teams have won several state championships and state runner-up titles. Varsity teams currently compete at the 4A level.
110 High Hurdles 2007, Pole-vault 2008, 4X800 Relay 2013, Boys 400 meter Run 2014, Boys 800 Meter Run 2014 & 2015, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, High Jump, Triple Jump 2023
Track (Boys) 110 High Hurdles 2007, Pole-vault 2008, 4X800 Relay 2013, Boys 400 meter Run 2014, Boys 800 Meter Run 2014 & 2015, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, High Jump, Triple Jump 2023
Track (Boys) 110 High Hurdles 2007, Pole-vault 2008, 4X800 Relay 2013, Boys 400 meter Run 2014, Boys 800 Meter Run 2014 & 2015, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, High Jump, Triple Jump 2023
Track (Boys) 110 High Hurdles 2007, Pole-vault 2008, 4X800 Relay 2013, Boys 400 meter Run 2014, Boys 800 Meter Run 2014 & 2015, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, High Jump, Triple Jump 2023
Basketball (Girls) 2021, 2022
Athletic Team Runner-Up Year
Wrestling 152 lbs. 2023
Golf (Girls) 2022, 2023
Cheerleading 1998
Softball (Girls) 1997, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Basketball (Boys) 1998
Track (Boys) 110 High Hurdles 2007, Pole-vault 2008, 4X800 Relay 2013, Boys 400 meter Run 2014, Boys 800 Meter Run 2014 & 2015, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles,
Annalee Caveney Western Carolina University (Golf)
Joey Chitla Wofford College (Baseball)
Siena Clark Iona University (Soccer)
Gavin Edgington College of Charleston (Soccer)
Logan Florio Methodist University (Lacrosse)
Ava Hodges University of Virginia (Softball)
Amy Mason East Carolina University (Soccer)
Stone McDonald East Carolina University (Football)
Kira Murphy Nicholls State University (Soccer)
Walker Norris East Carolina University (Track & Field)
Tori Rowlands Charleston Southern University (Cheer)
Tyler Surface North Carolina State University (Track/Cross Country)
Cole Trollip University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Soccer)
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.”
COLOSSIANS 2:7
78
STUDENTS WERE INVOLVED IN THE STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2023-2024
19
STUDENTS ON NRCA PRAISE & WORSHIP TEAM 2023-2024
34
STUDENTS WENT ON NRCA’S WARSAW MISSION TRIP SUMMER 2024
Read about NRCA’s Campus Life by visiting our Shield Magazine
Read how NRCA’s Campus Life programs provided opportunities for students and staff to live life on mission. In-depth stories of students serving on campus, in the community, across the state, and throughout the world appear in NRCA’s annual magazine, The Shield.
19
STUDENTS WENT ON NRCA’S BANGKOK, THAILAND MISSION TRIP SPRING 2024
A Journey Back to Thailand: When Worlds Collide in God’s Timing
By Sara Gealy, Eighth Grade Bible Teacher
The mission trip to Thailand was a surreal experience for me. My worlds collided in a way that only God could have orchestrated, and I will be forever grateful for that week.
As a family, we were missionaries in Bangkok, Thailand, for 13 years. When we came back in 2022, God provided a place for all of us here at NRCA. Transitioning back from overseas was not easy, and we have spent many days over the past year and a half processing our journey back. One of the things we like about NRCA is the emphasis on missions, and I was excited to hopefully be a part of an NRCA mission trip someday. When they announced that the spring break trip this year would be to Bangkok, I couldn’t believe it. I asked Josh Leonard, NRCA’s Campus Life director, if I might be able to help chaperone the trip and began praying that God would allow us to get to go back if it was His will. Mr. Leonard told us that I could go and there was also a spot for our son Will. I was thrilled! What a neat opportunity from God.
On the first day of spring break, 19 high school students and three of us adults loaded up the bus at NRCA to head to Charlotte to begin the long journey to Bangkok. I remember those long flights well, though it is never easy to spend over a day in travel—always a reminder that Bangkok is on the other side of the world!
We touched down in Bangkok early Easter Sunday afternoon and were immediately greeted by the hot season. March through May are the hottest months in Thailand just before the rain starts, and some of my friends who still live in Bangkok told us that the week we came was the hottest of the year so far. Temperatures of 99°F and 100°F feel like 110°F to 112°F with high humidity, and the sun is bright and hot every day.
We were picked up by vans from the school we partnered with for the ministry—International Christian School of Nonthaburi (ICSN). I took it all in as we drove—the skyscrapers of the city, the temples, the river, the homes—all so familiar but also enjoyable to see through the eyes of NRCA students seeing it for the first time. They took us to the part of the school where we stayed for the week, and we settled in a bit and began preparing for our ministry. The students divided up into groups for games, storytelling, crafts, and songs and prepared a program to share that centered around the story of Daniel and the lion’s den.
Each day of our week of ministry was unique. We spent the first day presenting our program at a sister school of ICSN. Some of the students could speak English there, and the ages of the students ranged from three to 12 and included a special education class. The next day we ministered in two schools, one being a local temple school. It was an incredible experience to be able to share a Bible story in a meeting room where Buddhist ceremonies are normally held! The students practiced English with high schoolage students one day and then a group of teachers at a technical college another day. Each day and school was different, and the NRCA students rose to the occasion in terms of flexibility and effort. Thailand is open to the gospel in a way that is amazing to witness, but the people are culturally resistant to accepting Christianity. Teaching English is a powerful tool to help Thais connect the Bible and kind Christian teachers and hopefully seek to know more about God one day.
In addition to ministering to Thai students through Bible stories and activities, our NRCA students also connected with students at ICSN and the local youth group. What a privilege to get to interact with God’s people in a different part of the world.
Our free day on Saturday included a trip to a famous floating market, shopping at Bangkok’s largest outdoor market in the afternoon, and enjoying a sunset dinner on the river. Sunday was church, a tuk-tuk ride around the block, and packing up for the long journey back home.
Highlights of the trip for me included Thai food—so many amazing dishes and of course, the mango and sticky rice for dessert. Another highlight was getting to go back to see our old school in Bangkok and the many friends and familiar faces there. It felt in many ways like Will and I were back “home” again. I was able to spend time thanking God for the time we were given in ministry there—a place that I love.
An unexpected highlight of the trip for me and the moment when worlds collided was how much joy it brought me to share Thailand with NRCA students and colleagues. I loved watching them enjoy a new food or get excited about Thai candy or McDonald’s or just how cheap everything is in Bangkok! I shared their frustration about the scorching heat and the new-to-them phenomenon of “Thai time” where things don’t always happen when planned. I watched the team excel at adapting to situations and meeting new friends and being brave when you communicate with people who don’t speak your language. I’ll keep those memories forever and thank God for the blessing of worlds colliding.
I know that our NRCA students who went on the trip will, like me, be forever changed by their time in Thailand. Bangkok is a big chaotic city full of immense needs. But we serve a big God who can be trusted completely in the big and small things. We trust that the small seeds of His Word and His love that we planted will be used to help Thai students come closer to knowing Jesus as their Savior someday. As the students sang one day in Bible song time, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” Amen!
Engineered and edited by Jason Pizzino
Produced, written, and hosted by Josh Leonard
Content Team: Tiffany Benson and Zachary Roberts
Theme song written & recorded by Graham Tudor (Class of 2023)
Rooted Rhythms Podcast:
Season 1 in Review and Season 2 Plans
This year, Campus Life Director Josh Leonard started a podcast. The idea behind NRCA’s Rooted Rhythms podcast comes from Colossians 2:7. Leonard explained that it “stems from this verse in that our hope is not for each episode to be exhaustive in content; but rather, to help us to think deeply about the rhythms of our lives and the ways these topics can speak to the foundation we are laying.”
Each episode, the podcast features a new guest speaker covering a unique topic. The hope is that the conversation will encourage listeners to connect biblically with the truths they discuss.
Over the first season, there has been much feedback from different listeners. Many talk about how it has brought their family into conversation about the different topics presented in the episodes. “Ultimately, our hope is that this podcast provides an additional resource for our students and families in seeking to think deeply on the rhythms of our lives and how they are forming us and shaping the way we view ourselves and engage with the world around us,” Leonard said.
One of the most played episodes released in December. It was titled “…but, Why
Church?” and featured Caleb Baldwin, Brandon Walls, and William Calhoun. On this episode, Leonard asked each of these student pastors from the greater Raleigh area the same question: “In a world where I can engage in the exact same content online, why would I sacrifice the time in my schedule to be physically present and engaged in a local church?” Leonard shared that talks with all three of these ministry leaders brought to light the need for this conversation to happen. Over the past couple of years, they had all seen a decline in families being plugged into church and wanted to challenge and encourage the community.
Looking forward to Season 2 of the podcast, Leonard said his goal is to add student voices. “We are currently working on a project that will feature a Student Spotlight in the middle of each episode where we will get to highlight ways that students are serving and using their gifts to further God’s Kingdom,” he said.
In the next season, the episodes will also align with the cultural moment and how believers can be more intentional about pursuing a life closer to God.
LISTEN IN: Rooted Rhythms with Josh Leonard
The Rooted Rhythms podcast launched in the fall of 2023. Hosted by Josh Leonard, Rooted Rhythms invites guests to the show each episode for conversations that encourage listeners to sit in as the host and guests tackle tough questions or engage in discussions surrounding our culture today. Whether you are a student, parent, or community member, this podcast provides a great launching point for further discussions with your circle of people as we seek to encourage our community to establish life rhythms rooted in the truth of the gospel and point others back to Jesus.
Episodes
Season 1
• Truth and Love
Marquise Cox – Part 1
• Truth and Love
Marquise Cox – Part 2
• What is Deconstruction?
Dr. Mitch Evans
• “...but, Why Church?”
Caleb Baldwin, Brandon Walls, & William Calhoun
• Creating for the Creator
TJ Cople
• A Lifestyle of Worship
Blake Goss
• Faith in the Workplace
Jerry Nelson
• Listening for the Lord’s Voice
Jaelene Daniels
Student Leaders Attend Retreat in Gatlinburg
On Jan. 12, 2024, members of the Student Leadership Academy traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for a winter retreat.
Forty students and four staff members attended the Crossroads Winter Conference hosted by Clayton King Ministries. NRCA buses arrived Friday night in time for the worship and sermon. That night, Jacob King preached on how students can set their lives on God, their firm foundation. Worship was one of the students’ favorite things from that day, and Jacob’s message was the perfect balance of entertaining yet serious and easy to comprehend. Jacob had a fun demonstration using Legos and confetti to describe the parable of the man who built his house on the sand and the man who built his house on the rock from Matthew 7.
Cece Gue, a freshman, said one of her favorite parts of the conference was that she “learned about the character of God and that He’s loyal to you, He’s faithful to you, and you have confidence through Him.”
Saturday, Student Leadership Academy members attended two morning sessions and one at night. The services in the morning were taught by Chris Dew and Whitney Sullivan. Senior Ellie Poteat said Dew’s message had a major impact on her. “...Saturday
morning when Chris Dew was speaking, he spoke a lot about going on mission and how we can do that in our everyday life, and I just remember everything he said, and it was really impactful,” she said.
Whitney taught about the six R’s: reflect, read, remember, rejoice, repeat, and reach out. These actions describe how Christians should live their everyday life. She shared her personal experiences and mental health struggles, which connected with many. Afterward, the NRCA contingent went to Downtown Flavortown for lunch and fun activities, including an arcade and mini bowling.
The evening service featured a time of worship and a message from Clayton King. Clayton taught that because God is strong, we can be saved.
On Sunday, the students went to two more morning services. God’s presence filled the hearts of people in the room. Students heard from Sharie King and Matt Holloman. Sharie’s message was about how only God’s design satisfies us and how we won’t be satisfied until we fill our hearts with God. Matt’s message was about how to have a gospel-driven conversation.
Junior Micah Hartley said this conference helped him realize his call to ministry. “I’ve always thought that I’d be an entrepreneur or an engineer or something like that. So, it’s cool that God’s using my gifts for His Kingdom rather than for worldly stuff,” Hartley said.
The students also grew closer to each other. Senior Lily Green said, “I think I learned a lot about growing community because we were with freshmen all the way up to seniors, and it was very good for me to grow my relationships with the underclassmen.”
Due to a winter weather event in the area, NRCA’s team had to leave the conference early so they could safely make it back home.
At the conference, 205 people were saved, and the student leaders were blessed to be a part of the weekend.
By Emmie Dean and Sammy Mull
MS/HS SCHOOL CLUBS
8 MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS
Middle School Clubs
• Book Club
• Castle Crazies
• Club 31
• FCA
• Knights of the Roundtable
• Lego® League
• STEM Club
• Young Patriots
11 HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS
High School Clubs
• Art Club
• Chemistry Club (ChemClub)
• Culture Club
• Esports
• FCA
• HOSA
• National English Honor Society
• Photo Club
• Robotics
• Speech and Debate Club- New
• Youth & Government (YAG)
NRCA offers several camp options throughout the school year and into the summer. Registration and payment for these camps are all made online. Watch your email and our social media accounts for information on when registration and sign-ups are open for each camp.
Cheer Camp
Knights Basketball League
Spring Cheer Clinic
Girls Knights Volleyball League
October K5-5th
Sept.-Oct. 1st-6th
Spring K5-8th
April-May 4th-8th SUMMER CAMPS
Fun in the Son Bible Camp
Art Camp (Elementary)
Art Camp (Middle School)
NEW - Photography
Robotics
Summer Reading Academy
Theatre
June Rising K5-5th
July Rising 3rd-5th
July Rising 6th-8th
July Rising 4th-8th
July Rising 4th-8th
August Rising 9th & 10th
August Rising 5th-8th
Elementary Grammar Workshop August 1st-5th Grade
Middle School Grammar Worshop
SUMMER SPORTS CAMP
Basketball 1 (Boys & Girls)
Basketball 2 (Boys & Girls)
Cheerleading (Girls)
Football (Boys)
Lacrosse (Boys)
Volleyball (Girls)
Soccer 1 (Boys & Girls)
Soccer 2 (Boys & Girls)
August Rising 6th-8th
June Rising 1st-5th
June Rising 6th-12th
June Rising 2nd-8th
June Rising 4th-8th
July Rising 4th-9th
July Rising 4th-9th
June Rising K5-5th
June Rising 6th-8th
Fun in the Son
Photography Camp
Art Camp
Based on our findings from the review of evidence, this Visiting Team recommends that the
North Raleigh Christian Academy be REACCREDITED pending further review and final action by the ACSI Commission on Accreditation. ENDORSED
International Student Program Endorsement
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
ACTS 1:8
International Students from 11 Different Countries
Colleges International Students Attended 2023 & 2024
• Babson College
• California Polytechnic State University
• High Point University
• Liberty University
• Michigan State University
• Penn State University
• Parsons School of Design at The New School
• The Ohio State University
• University of California - Davis
• University of California - Irvine
• University of Denver
• University of North Carolina Charlotte
• University of Southern California
• University of Washington
• Bahamas
• Belarus
• Brazil
• China
• Columbia
• Czech Republic
• Ephiopia
• Guatemala
• South Korea
• Taiwan (The Rebublic of China)
• Vietnam
13yrs.
International Program Started 2011
150 International students have attended NRCA
International Program Events
• International Orientation
• International New Year
• End-of-Year Celebration
Alumna Transforms School
Barragan researched medieval castles, wooden doors, and stone bricks as she developed the design.
To make certain the knights’ equipping room was unmistakably the Knights’ equipping room, Becerra-Barragan said she incorporated “anything else that I could add to give that instant NRCA recognizability, like through the logo, the seal, the colors – absolutely anything I could use to tie it back to our identity as a school, while still matching that vision that Dr. Mathes had for it to be a medieval armory.”
Originally from Colombia, Becerra-Barragan came to NRCA as an international student in 10th grade for a six-month stay. “I was supposed to go back to my home country and finish high school there. But I definitely found a lot of life at NRCA through my teachers, through my classmates, and, obviously, through the Lord, who provided that opportunity. It was all around very life-giving,” she said. “I found my passions. I found basically who I was as a person at NRCA. So it meant the world and still means the world.”
The NRCA mural project was not BecerraBarragan’s first. “I had previous experience from some murals that I did for the Salvation Army in Lynchburg and some others that I did for fun on either my walls of my own room or my friends’ walls,” she said.
As excited as she was to give back to NRCA through her art, the project made her a little nervous too. She shared, “It’s not an instant process. We live in a world in which everything’s so instant that you’re instantly able to show everyone how something is going to be, but painting takes time, so I was very, very nervous about that and what the perception was going to be. Were people going to think I’m a good artist, or not?”
After 34 active hours of painting across four days in June 2024, muralist and graphic designer Val Becerra-Barragan, Class of 2021, transformed the nondescript brown doors and surrounding yellow walls of the school store into a medieval castle armory.
Becerra-Barragan’s NRCA art teacher, Leisha Hodgson, recommended her for the project that superintendent Dr. Kevin Mathes had envisioned for several years. Once she was confident she understood what Mathes had in mind, Becerra-
Her finished mural met with hearty approval from Dr. Mathes. “The Armory mural that Val completed exceeded my expectations,” he said. Explaining why the mural was beyond just a beautification project, Mathes added, “The Armory is so much more than just a ‘school store.’ It is
a place where students, mainly elementary, look forward to going and purchasing an item that is either needed or something that is simply meant to be enjoyed. The Armory is also a place where parent volunteers graciously give of their time to engage our students and bless our school community. The Armory mural is a true blessing that always brings a smile to my face, from the thoughts of our talented alumna Val, who painted it, to the parent volunteers who serve while bringing joy to the students who are stopping by.”
Becerra-Barragan will graduate from Liberty University with a degree in graphic design in May of 2025. During the summer of 2024, she worked with the NRCA communications and marketing team, and when she returned to Lynchburg, Virginia, for the fall semester, she began working with the Student Activities marketing team at Liberty, where she recently added photography to her graphic design credentials. “Learning something
completely new is always fun for me. Seeing my work everywhere on campus, from the screens at Convocation or the screens around the dining halls [to] posters [and] social media has been really, really cool and rewarding,” she said. “But definitely, my favorite thing has been to share skills with the rest of the team and build off each other and teach each other our programs and different styles. To have that creative community that I was lacking before was really, really cool.”
After graduation, Becerra-Barragan hopes to find a way to stay in the States. “That is, to me, as an international student, my priority right now,” she said. “In my home country, my major of graphic design is underpaid in the actual workforce, and there is not a lot of value for artists or for creative professions, and that puts me in a situation in which, if I want to do what I’m passionate about and what I know is the Lord’s calling for my life, it honestly has to be here.” She plans to apply for jobs in
order to get her work visa and then her green card. Her dream is to become a US citizen someday.
Her fine arts goal is to become a freelance designer-muralist, offering that specific skill to businesses as part of their branding portfolio. “I think that adds a lot of personality to a space, a lot of value to the actual brand, and it’s also a fantastic marketing opportunity,” she said. “And for me personally, it’s a fantastic way to merge the two things I love most, which are graphic design and actual painting.”
The Armory mural at NRCA was a step toward accomplishing that goal. Reflecting on the experience, Becerra-Barragan concluded, “To me, it was a really great opportunity to give a little bit of my heart back to a place that means so much to me, that poured and invested, genuinely invested, so much into my life and who I am today.”
Parent Volunteer Association
Our PVA provides a wealth of services to our school family through the New Family Coordinators, Back to School Reception, Armory (school store), Book Fair, After School Café, Box Tops for Education, Harris Teeter Together in Education, Lowes Foods Cart 2 Class, AmazonSmile, Publix Partners, appreciation buffets, birthday celebrations, and more. All parents are members of this organization and can serve wherever they are led. Through committees and general volunteering, we are blessed with a school community that desires to serve God.
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Financial Information
2025-2026
APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE: $150.00 PER STUDENT FOR NEW STUDENTS ONLY (Nonrefundable) The Application Processing Fee is required at the time of application to NRCA. This fee covers some of the costs associated with the application process and any required testing.
ENROLLMENT FEE: $612.00 PER STUDENT FOR K-12TH GRADE (Nonrefundable) The Enrollment Fee is nonrefundable unless a student is placed in the wait pool and the parent requests a refund prior to an opening in a class.
LATE RETURNING-STUDENT FEE: $100.00 PER STUDENT FOR 1ST12TH GRADE (Nonrefundable) Any re-enrollments received after January 10, 2025, will be considered a late re-enrollment and are subject to an additional $100.00 per student Late Returning Student Fee.
STUDENT RESOURCE FEE: $576.00 PER STUDENT FOR K-12TH GRADE (Nonrefundable) The Resource Fee covers most books, student insurance, student association dues, designated student supplies, and classroom teaching supplements. The book portion of this fee is a prorated fee based on some books being consumable and some lasting more than one year. Academic books, testing, and supplies range from $850.00 to $1,700.00 per student based on grade level. If a student withdraws, the Resource Fee is not refunded, and any books or supplies are forfeited.
CAPITAL
FEE: $516.00 PER STUDENT for K-12th Grade (Nonrefundable)
The Capital Fee covers the acquisition, upgrade, and improvement of our facilities. This fee helps cover expenses like painting, replacement of carpet, repairs to classrooms, restrooms, maintenance of playgrounds, landscaping, impact charges, etc.
NEW FAMILY FEE: $500.00 PER FAMILY K-12th Grades (Nonrefundable)
The New Family Fee is a one-time fee payable within five days of acceptance to NRCA. This fee is used for the continued development and advancement of NRCA’s academic programs. Failure to pay this fee within five days will result in forfeiture of acceptance to the school.
WITHDRAWAL FEE: $500.00 PER STUDENT
- Students are considered enrolled for the entire school year; therefore, budgets and teacher contracts are set accordingly. The early withdrawal of a student creates an opening which NRCA may not be able to fill with a viable candidate. For students enrolled for the 2025–2026 school year, the following applies: Students withdrawing after January 10, 2025, owe the Enrollment Fee; students withdrawing after March 31, 2025, owe the Enrollment, Resource, and Capital Fees; students withdrawing after May 31, 2025, owe the Enrollment, Resource, Capital, and $500 Early Withdrawal Fees. NRCA must be notified prior to June 1, 2025 (even if your June payment is not due until after that date), to avoid the $500.00 Early Withdrawal Fee. Students who withdraw after school begins in August owe all the above fees plus the full month’s tuition for any month in which the student attends at least one school day. Official transcripts, report cards, and records cannot be released or sent to other schools if an outstanding balance remains at NRCA.
LEAVING A LEGACY GIVING
: The Annual Fund provides resources for our school, outside of the normal operating budget, that directly impact our mission of Christian education excellence. NRCA is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, and your contributions help make NRCA an institution of excellence in academics, fine arts, and athletics. Please pledge to make your tax-deductible gift to the Annual Fund by December 31, 2025.
Tuition Assistance
Please refer to nrcaknights.com under the Admissions tab for details.
FULL-TIME AFTERCARE
FULL-TIME AFTERCARE: 9 PAYMENTS (1st payment is September 5 and 9th payment is May 5)
$250.00/month
$200.00/month no charge no charge
Only full-time Aftercare is available (no drop-ins). Aftercare is not held on half-days, teachers’ workdays, school holidays, or summer vacation. All monthly Aftercare payments are made via electronic funds transfer to NRCA on the 5th of each month.
LATE FEES: A late fee of $50.00 is assessed each month if resource fees, capital fees, tuition installments, and/or Aftercare payments are not paid by the due date. A returned check or draft results in a $30.00 returned check charge. 1st Child 2nd Child
Tuition Information 2025
FULL PAYMENT PLAN (2%) Discount
NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS
• Enrollment Fee: $612.00 per student upon application or Continuous Enrollment (Nonrefundable)
• Resource Fee: $576.00 per student due March 1 (Nonrefundable)
• Capital Fee: $516.00 per student due March 1 (Nonrefundable)
12-MONTH PLAN
Summer 2024 Facility Updates
Facility Expansion Overview
Performing Arts Center Overhaul
• Renovation Scope: Comprehensive renovation of the fine arts center.
• Square Footage Increase: Expanded usable space by approximately 1,200 SF.
• Seating Capacity: Added 635 new seats, with an additional 135 seats for students/guests.
• Upgrades:
o New flooring
o State-of-the-art lighting and sound systems
o Refurbished sound panels and stage flooring
o New stage curtains
o Reconfigured orchestra pit with safety netting
Cafeteria Addition
• Space Expansion: Cafeteria increased by 1,000 SF.
• Seating Capacity: Added 120 seats for students and events.
STEM Shop Addition
• New Facility: 950 SF STEM Shop created.
• Usage: Expanded carpentry/woodworking classes, theater seat building, and a competition practice space for Robotics.
Classroom and Enclosed Staircase Addition
• Upcoming Projects: Adding 4 classrooms and a new enclosed staircase.
• Purpose: Addressing demand for Christian education and enhancing safety for class changes.
• Completion Timeline: Expected by January 2025, fully operational for the 2025-2026 school year.
Facility and Grounds Updates
Athletic Complex Turf
• Improvement: Utilized remaining turf from the soccer field project.
• Area Enhanced: Approximately 4,500 SF added to a previously worn area.
• Usage: Used daily by students for recess and athletic events.
Athletic Complex Security Bollards
• Installation: Bollards added to enhance security at the athletic complex entrance.
Playground Curbing
• Repairs: Cracked and crumbling curbing repaired.
• Safety Improvement: Enhanced barrier fencing for a secure play environment for younger students.
Parking Lot Restriping and Additional Spaces
• Project Scope: Entire parking lot restriped for safe traffic flow.
• Capacity Increase: Added 20 new student parking spaces.
Stairwell Reconstruction
• Structural Work: Replaced two outdoor stairwells due to wear and weather damage over 20+ years.
• Safety Assurance: Ensured safe daily operations for students, while enhancing the longevity of our facility.
Tennis Courts Resurfacing
• Maintenance: All 6 tennis courts resurfaced, including:
o Repairing cracks and low spots
o Relining faded surfaces and markings.
o Ensured playable/competitive surface for our tennis program/athletes
These improvements focus on enhancing the functionality, safety, and appearance of our facilities, while meeting the needs of our students and community.
2023-2024 Leaving a Legacy Giving Report
$716K+ TOTAL RAISED
In 2023-24, our Leaving a Legacy giving events raised funds to complete cafeteria and auditorium expansions, add four new classrooms to the main building, and provide funding for our Tuition Assistance Program so that more families could choose Kingdom education for their children.
Through the generosity of the NRCA community in our Leaving a Legacy campaigns, NRCA was able to offset the cost of these
projects while keeping tuition rates low. Parents, grandparents, teachers, staff, students, and community members contributed to Leaving a Legacy events. As we reflect on all God has done through the support of those who share our vision, we celebrate every good and perfect gift we have received from the Father through the love and intentionality of our NRCA family and friends.
Annual Leaving a Legacy Giving Results
$ 234,937.00 Knights Annual Fund Drive
$ 51,403.00 Golf Classic
$ 160,825.00 Boosterthon/Dodgeball
$ 447,165.00
Total Leaving a Legacy Giving
Additional Giving Results
$ 76,257.86 Booster Club
$ 68,703.00 Scholarship Gifts
$ 83,779.00 Missions
$ 15,333.00 Parent Volunteer Association
$ 22,302.46 General Restricted Gifts
$ 2,890.00 Alumni Worthy Servants Fund
$ 269,265.32 Total Additional Giving
Annual Fund Projects for 2023-2024: Cafeteria Expansion
Auditorium Expansion
Additional Classrooms Tuition Assistance
$447,165.00 Total Leaving a Legacy Giving
$269,265.32 Total Additional Giving
$716,430.32 GRAND TOTAL
2023-2024 Giving
Giving to NRCA provides a supplement to the general operating budget for student enrichment and school sustainment. Contributions provide an opportunity for great impact in affecting the young lives that we serve. At the heart of what we do is instructing our students in the knowledge of God’s truth through all disciplines, preparing them to make a lifetime impact for Christ.
Knights Ministry Partners
Gifts up to $499
Paula Adams
Tim & Susan Adams
Ray & Pat Ammerman
Harry & Myla Amsbary
In honor of Jayden & Ayva Olivotti
Willie & Debbie Andrusko
In honor of Avi, Norah & Kylah Andrusko
Donnie & Sherry Bass
Jeff & Lisa Bass
In honor of Laura Garrett
Brad Berry
In honor of Luca Berry
In memory of Sienna Berry
Kay Berry
In honor of The Gooden Children
Mary & Chuck Bibee
In honor of Jack Bibee
Marty & Christina Biggs
Greg & Lori Bodenhamer
Paul & Marcia Brandt
In honor of Quinn & Kai Patton
Barry & Sandy Brewer
In honor of Caden Kelly
Randy & Felicia Bridges
Bill & Anne Brown
Steve & Kaye Bryan
Louis & Barbara Cannella
In honor of Jace & Braedon Cannella
Rickey & Maria Cates
In honor of Isabelle Huffstetler
Rudy & Kathy Cardenas
In honor of Tyler Surface
Caroline & Scott Caveney
Jeremy & Shirley Clay
James & Leila Cloud
Mike & Janet Chilton
Tim & Haley Coble
Floyd & Mary Collins
In honor of Kevin Wall
Duncan & Sarah Culton
Jamie & Jenni Danai
In honor of Kayleigh & Juliet
Aisa Delange
In honor of Isabella & Jayden Pinto-Ramirez
Bruce & Susan Dial
David & Kristin Deim
Richard & Phyllis Eastman
In honor of Tyler Edwards & Sadie Grace Mull
Rebecca Evans
In honor of Paxton Sink
Richard & Mary Alice Farrell
In honor of Landon, Austin & Brady Farrell
Keith & Paula Ferguson
In honor of Caleb Ferguson
Suzanne Fitzgerald
In honor of Mason Manger
Frank & Muriel Florio
Logan Florio & The Class of 2024
Gary Floyd
In honor of Jason Floyd
James & Tish Ford
Lamar & Jackie Franklin
In honor of Caleb & Josh Franklin
Randy & Karen Gallman
In honor of Braxton, Weston, & Zach
Christopher Gay
In memory of Diane Gay
Nancy Grant
In honor of Brandon & Hailey
Randall & Kimberly Greene
Betty Gronotte
In honor of Kaitlyn Gronotte
John & Debra Haggerty
In honor of Cash Hoover
Neal & Jewel Hamlett
In honor of Blake Hamlett
Michael Hammer
Kenneth & Vicki Hicks
Jason & Michelle Hogg
Barbara Hoke
In honor of Ashley G. Hoke
Tim & Jean Hoover
Paul & Sabrina Horne
In honor of Tyler Jones-Horne
Deborah Horner
In honor of Kennedy Horner
Ray & Shirley Hudson
In honor of Davis Logan McLamb
John & Billie Hughes
Leo and Mary Iking
In honor of Finley South
William & Sharon Jennings
In honor of Carr Jennings
Dianne Johnson
In Honor of Cameron W. Wilder
Stephen & Candace Johnson
Shelia Lowry
In honor of Margaret & Thad West
Suzanne Lyczkowski
Ken & Anita Martin
Thomas & Elise Massey III
Gordon & Beth Mayer
In honor of Wyatt G. Mayer
Jody & Jill McGee
Pervis & Norma McLamb
Sandur & Selwyn McMillan
In honor of Donovan & Nylah McMillan
Harry & Samantha Miller
Wesley & Mary Moore
In honor of Emmy & Cole Moore
Rick & Marsha Morgan
In honor of Everly & Camden Morgan
Diego & Jennifer Munoz
Tony Myers
In memory of Eloise Myers
Craig & Cari Newton
Ken & Linda O’Donnell
James & Mary Otte
In honor of Jaxon Wachter
Robert Page
Joshua & Dimitra Patton
Betty Pegram
In honor of Dillon, Dalton & Hayden Malnate
Irish Pickett
William & Lois Pollard
Craig & Marie Johnson Poole
In honor of Tyler Johnson
John & Jeannette Raymond
Bobby & Mary Reynolds
In honor of Emma and Claire Donovan
Sharyn Rigsbee
In honor of Caden & Carter Wilkins
George & Sally Ross
Alan & Cheryl Sawyer
In honor of Emma & Ellie Bentley
James Schieni
In honor of Olivia Schieni
W. Rudy & Cynthia Seymour
In honor of Abigail Dysart
Timothy & Sandra Shaughnessy
In honor of Grace Shaughnessy
Jane Sibley
In honor of Winnie Hutchins
Sean and Olga Smith
In honor of Sophia & Luke
Martha Shepard
In honor of Christian Houston
Antonio & Shinel Stephens
Joel & Debra Stephenson
In honor of Lily Pelter
Terry & Geraldine Surface
In honor of Tyler Surface
Rose Swain
In honor of Sarah Bates
David & Peggy Swart
In honor of the Ruppert Family
Philip & Betty Tibbs
Ken Unzicker
In honor of Ashley, J.D. & Trey Unzicker
Derek & Charity VanHorn
Edward Varel
In honor of Katherine Matteson
Paul Michael & Delores Vaughan
In honor of Kaitlyn & Haley Snead
John & Mary Jo Waite
James & Noelle Walsh
Henry & Barbara Warren
Gail Watts
In honor of Camdyn Watts
Jim and Betsy Weathers
In honor of Ella & Olivia Weathers
Walter & Denise Webb
In honor of Katherine & Jason Webb
John Williamson
In honor of Carol Ruth Williamson
Greg & Susan Wilson
In honor of Dallas Lentz
Joseph & Andrea Wolak
In honor of Jake Wolak
Kenneth & Karen Wolf
In honor of Arden Knight
Becky Wright
In honor of Beverly & Sara Wrobel
Blue & White Partners Gifts $500-$999
Corey & Faith Adams
Ron & Tina Adams
In honor of Olivia and Vivienne Klinedinst
Ricardo Badin
Eric & Sally Dillon
James & Kathryn Eyster
Jodean & Jay Harrison
In memory of Roland Park
Paul & Kelli Humphreys
Richard & Nancy Hurstfield-Meyer
William Parsons
Naw Rhoda
In honor of Mr. Herold Keith
Chad & Tracy Sary
Anthony and Sarah Serhan
Dori Spehek
Thomas Thotus
Ozza & Pam Tysor
Kevin & Petrina Wall
Ryan Wilcox
In honor of Richard Corey
Wayne & Corissa Yount
Dennis & Mary Zullig
Gold Partners Gifts $1,000-$4,999
Jerry & Allena Ball
In honor of God-Giving Him all the Glory!
Hilton & Mary Barnhill
In honor of Kameron & Kobe Barnhill
David & Dee Benson
Marilyn Benson
Henry Bergdolt
In honor of Thomas Bergdolt
D Stacy & Angela Betts
Chuck & Jessica Bright
Susan Brumley
In memory of Chester Brumley
Erik & Heather Burckart
Vickie Byrd
In honor of the NRCA Staff
Rob & Elizabeth Christner
Greg & Susan Etheridge
In memory of Daniel Gregory Etheridge
Mitch & Dawn Evans
In memory of Danna White & Rev. James & Ada LeMaster
Scott & Nicole Foster
In honor of the NRCA Staff
Richard & Diana Gaminde
Joe & Leda Goins
Branton & Amy Grimes
Steven & Ying Gue
Bill & Gail Keown
Christopher & Cara Kittinger In honor of Matthew & MacKenzie
Gail Lane
Jeffrey & Elysia Langston In honor of Madison Langston
Kevin & Joy Mathes
Timothy & Mary Mertz In honor of Anna & Ryan Kriegshauser
Chauncey & Leanne Minnick
Susan Muirhead
John & Sheila Murrell
John & Ashley Perry
Franklin Lewis Robuck, Jr
Jarod & Michele Rodriguez
Scott & Carrie Ruppert
Paul & Pamela Sabattus In honor of Grant Sabattus
In memory of Billy Horner
Robert & Martha Sherwood In honor of Jake & Sarah Cate Hagan
Peter & Julie Trencansky
Tom & Mary Vande Guchte
Alex & Jaime Vaughn
In honor of AJ & Tanner Vaughn
Christopher & Lara Wilkins
Founders Legacy Partners Gifts $5,000 and Up
Jamar & Jenelle Brinkley
In honor of Jaden & Joshua Brinkley
Bradley & Sarah Coates
Michael Gardner
Nathan & Jennifer Gooden
Charlie & Ryan Sawyer
S.L. & Debbie Sherrill
James & Sharon Tompkins
Robert & Susan Tugwell
In honor of Lily Kate & Dawson Tugwell
Bryan & Heather Weitzel
In honor of Noah, Ethan and Hannah
G
Leaving a Legacy Annual Giving Events
NRCA hosts three Leaving a Legacy annual giving events: the Knights Annual Fund, Boosterthon schoolwide events, and the Golf Classic. Supporting these events helps keep tuition affordable by funding special projects not covered by tuition dollars.
• Knights Annual Fund
• Boosterthon
• Blacklight Dodgeball • Golf Classic
Other Ways to Give
In addition to our Leaving a Legacy annual giving events, we offer several ways to donate to NRCA.
• Matching Grants
• Planned Giving
• Gifts In Kind
• The Parent Volunteer Association (PVA)
• The Athletic and Fine Arts Booster Club
To learn more or give online, visit: nrcaknights.com/giving
F NRCA GOLF CLASSIC $51K+
Event Sponsors
Golfers (77)
John Matson
Brian Mayer
Jonathan Medlin
Mitch Mitchell
Jason Moon
Austin Moon
Rob Moran
TJ Mulder
Bobby Murray
Trey Murray
Ryan Nagy
Merritt Neal
Keith Neal
Dylan Newton
Joseph O’Keefe
Tyler Peters
Corporate Sponsors & Golfers
Special thanks to all our golfers for donating $500 to play in this great event and thanks to our corporate sponsors for sponsoring golfers who otherwise would not have played.
• A1 Storage - Caster
• Austin Trucking
• Bobby Murray
• Boosterthon
• Brett Lineberry
• Design Development
• Dr. Sherrill
• Greg Etheridge
• LTD - Larry & Pam Winters
• Max Fitzgerald
• Michael Tulp
• Robling Medical
• Scott Sorrell
• Sports Field Partners
• Tim Peters
• TrashMasters
• Wake Orthodontics
Hole Sponsors
Special thanks to our hole sponsors for helping cover costs associated with this event by donating $500 to be a Premium Hole Sponsor or $250 to be a Standard Hole Sponsor.
Premium Hole Sponsors
• Angus Barn
• Capital Ford
• Carolina Gunrunners
• Dean’s Wrecker Service
• Design Development
• Flynn O’Hare Uniforms
• Hardison & Cochran
• Joshua Expeditions
• KingdomEd101
• Leith BMW
• Marsh McLennan
• North State Bank
• NRCA Board
• Oak City Commercial
• On Point Construction
• Pro 3:5 Sports Academy
• Retirement Plan Solutions, Inc. (RPSI)
• Robling Medical
• Tom & Mary Vande Gutche
• TrashMasters
Standard Hole Sponsors
• Austin Trucking
• Boosterthon
• Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders
• Grassmasters
• Precept Marketing Inc/BJU Press
• Robling Medical, Inc.
• Total Property Maintenance
• TPM Construction Inc
• Tri-Lease
• Truist
Culver
Trevor Cundiff
Keith Curlee
Travis DeNicola
Wes Edwards
Jim Elkins
Greg Etheridge
Max Fitzgerald
James Forrest
Brett Frenier
Michael Gardner
Patirck Gatewood
Kent Geer
Scott Haddock
Craig Hardin
Dakota Hart
Ted Hassert
Mike Jacobs
Kevin Knox Randy Macon
Tim Peters
Ken Pike
Ed Pinion
Mike Powers
Nick Reding
Nolan Reedy
Aaron Rice
Jared Richard
Jay Risinger
Brent Robling
Blake Robling
Jim Sherrer
Scott Sorrell
Christopher Stack
Zach Stanton
Jay Stott
Alan Taylor
Jeff Urban
Deric Wallace
Adam Young
Classic Winners
Larry and Pam Winters
Leadership Team Development Inc.
Randy & Pam Macon
Tim Peters & Patrick Gatewood
The Value of Kingdom Education
“Kingdom education is a life-long, Bible-based, Christ-centered process of leading a child to Christ, building a child up in Christ, and equipping a child to serve Christ.”
There is nothing more important to the future of the home, the church, and society than the proper education of our children and youth. Recent studies show that “only 7% of born-again teenagers base moral choices on biblical principles. Moral decision-making was doing whatever feels right or comfortable in a situation. The alarmingly fast decline of moral foundations among our young people has culminated in a one-word worldview: ‘whatever.’” Young people simply do whatever.
Dr. Glen Schultz, author of Kingdom Education says, “Kingdom education must be in control in the homes, the churches, and the schools of our society. When biblical principles of teaching and learning are applied consistently at home, at church, and at school, the child will have a firm foundation laid on which he can live pleasing to the Lord.”
“Kingdom education is a life-long, Bible-based, Christ-centered process of leading a child to Christ, building a child up in Christ, and equipping a child to serve Christ.” The first implication is that Kingdom education is a life-long process. Kingdom education continues even into adulthood. The second implication is that the foundation of all truth is the Word of God. Therefore, Kingdom education must be Bible-based. Finally, the process must be Christ-centered. Colossians 2:3 states that in Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” All things were created by Christ and for Christ. The reality of the preeminence of Christ must be woven throughout every fiber of true education. Kingdom education is about fulfilling Joshua 1:8 and the command to meditate on God’s Word, day and night.
When you study Kingdom education, it is clear that this process consists of two primary actions and one primary goal. First, Kingdom education is a process to lead a child to Christ. The gospel must be central to all aspects of a child’s education. Second, Kingdom education does not stop once a person comes to Christ. In Colossians 2:7, Paul speaks of being “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith.” We need to beware and not be ruined by philosophies and empty teaching that is based on the traditions of this world and not on the principles of Christ. Romans 8:29 clearly states that God has “predestined every Christian to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.” Paul spoke of the importance of having the right goal when educating others. He wrote, “We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” As we train our children through Kingdom education, they will move toward being more like Christ. It requires the union of the home, the church, and the school for Kingdom education to succeed. Simply illustrated, a two- or four- legged stool will not be stable on ground that is not level. A three-legged stool of the home, church, and school will provide stability in a culture that is on uneven ground.
This is the mission of North Raleigh Christian Academy. We are here to “assist families…by instilling biblical principles in students’ lives so they might impact their society for Christ.”
The Philosophy of Christian Education
A Bible-based philosophy of Christian education presents the Bible as the foundation of all knowledge. Every aspect of education must be integrated into God’s truth.
Education has been defined as “the process by which children and youth develop knowledge, skills, and character, especially through formal instruction, training, and study.” Philosophy, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is “a pursuit of wisdom; a search for truth through logical reasoning; an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs.” The Greeks define philosophy as “the love and pursuit of knowledge and truth.” Adding Christianity, the indispensable ingredient, our philosophy of Kingdom education is like an artist who steps back from his work to view the masterpiece in its entirety. How he relates the parts to each other and to the whole reveals the mastery and success of his work.
A Bible-based philosophy of Christian education presents the Bible as the foundation of all knowledge. Every aspect of education must be integrated into God’s truth. The scope of God’s truth is universal. God’s truth is not dependent upon what education does. The integration of education should merge into knowing God’s truth. The partnerships between the home, church, and school must establish their precepts upon the Bible, with the premise that all truth is God’s truth; communication must speak the truth in love seasoned with grace; and conduct must speak louder than words realizing the powerful influence of godly behavior.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). Truth must be the unifying factor between the home, church, and school.
A Christ-centered philosophy of Christian education recognizes that Jesus Christ is our authority and Lord of truth. “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is our foundation. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:11). The Lord is our wisdom and knowledge. “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 3:3). The Son of God is our stability. “Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught (Colossians 3:7). Christ is to have the preeminence in all things. Dr. Paul Kienel said, “The purpose of Christian school education is to show children and young people how to face Christ and then with the vision of Christ in their hearts to face the present world and the world to come.” Kingdom education should lead students to salvation through Christ, build them up in their faith, and equip them to serve Him.
A Holy Spirit-controlled philosophy of Christian education acknowledges the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of parents, teachers, and students. Parents
and teachers must have his guidance to impart the truth to students effectively and appropriately. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide in you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him; but ye know him; for he dwells with you and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17). Parents and teachers must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to think biblically and to effectively communicate the truth in the education of their children. Students need the leadership of the Spirit to be image-bearers of Christ. Romans 12:2 tells us, “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The Holy Spirit correctly focuses the student’s knowledge to bring about moral conformity to the image of God’s Son. Ultimately, this image-bearing will result in godly character.
A student-related philosophy of Christian education focuses on what God intends every child to be. Parents and teachers understand that each child is a special creation of God (Psalm 139) and made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Yet, due to sin, they are fallen and in need of a Savior. Ephesians 2:810 says, “For by grace are ye saved by faith, that not of yourselves, it is a gift of
God. We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus.” Every child can be saved and be whom God intended them to be. Christian education is to instill in a student the knowledge of God, guide him in the development of his personal faith, and help him in the establishment of his Christian worldview. Parents and teachers are to teach children to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (II Peter 1:3). A student-related, philosophy of Christian education prepares a student to impact society for Christ.
A socially oriented philosophy of Christian education teaches students how to interact and relate with the world around them. The student understands that all of life is God’s. There is no secular and sacred. All truth is God’s truth. Parents and teachers integrate faith and biblical values into a lifestyle reflecting a Christian worldview by example and instruction to their students. This Bible-based belief system determines their attitudes in life and leads to holy and responsible life choices. “And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Colossians 3:17). Students with this Christian worldview model Ephesians 4:12, “the perfecting (maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” As Bible-based, Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-controlled believers, they have become an imitation of their parents and teachers (Luke 6:40). They are modeling the image of the Lord Jesus. This is the mastery and success of a philosophy of Kingdom education, ultimately bringing honor and glory to God.
