Academics at NCCL School

Because we believe that children learn best when they are actively involved, NCCL offers its students many opportunities to immerse themselves in open-ended learning experiences. At NCCL School, students don't just memorize information, they investigate, build, create, and collaborate.

To Learn more about curriculum at NCCL School, visit our blog!

Children and a woman in a garden with bushes, trees, and a tall black fence. Some children are holding notebooks or tablets, and one girl is taking notes, while others are standing or sitting, participating in outdoor activities.

With small class sizes and multi-age classrooms, students develop strong relationships with both teachers and peers. 

Older students mentor younger ones.
Younger students grow into leadership roles.

This structure fosters confidence, empathy, and independence.

Learn more about our multi-age classrooms here…

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At NCCL, students learn through projects, fieldwork, discussion, and collaboration. In multi-age classrooms, they build, create, debate, and experiment alongside peers, encouraged to think deeply, share ideas, and take ownership of their learning.

Read our blog post “How Students Learn at NCCL School”….

Two children wearing safety goggles and blue gloves examining raw chicken on trays outdoors.
Two children, a boy and a girl, are looking at a book. The boy is wearing a paper helmet decorated with colorful scribbles. The girl has long dark hair and is wearing a light blue shirt. The setting appears to be a classroom.

A SCHOOL WHERE CHILDREN ARE KNOWN

At NCCL, relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

Teachers truly know their students: how they learn, what excites them, and where they need support. 

Families are active partners in our community, helping create a warm and welcoming environment where children feel safe to take intellectual risks and discover who they are.

Learn more about social emotional development at NCCL…

Three young girls in a classroom are celebrating, wearing colorful necklaces and a large sparkly hat. They are smiling, standing next to a blue table with some craft supplies and a paper or cardboard structure. The classroom background features shelves with storage bins, handwritten notes, and computer desks.
  •  NCCL School Extended Care is an optional program available to current students of the school. It offers children a robust and enriching after school program in a fun and safe environment that is comfortable to them and convenient to their families. The counselors are typically college students or NCCL School alumni. Students are happily engaged in outdoor play, sports, activity clubs, games, crafts, and occasional baking. The upper school grades are permitted to do their homework during Extended Care. 

    NCCL School Extended Care is a non-profit program. The rates are dictated by the cost of labor, food, insurance, and utilities, which are set externally. We feel that pricing for our Extended Care program is reasonable compared to other schools in the area and considering the level of engagement and care our students receive.

    Extended Care Hours

    Morning care begins at 7:30 am and ends at 8:30 am. 

    Aftercare begins at 3:10 pm and ends at 6:00 pm. A snack is served at 3:10 pm. 

    Half day care begins at 12:00 pm and ends at 3:15 pm, at which time the regular extended day program begins. Scheduled half days are indicated on the school calendar. You may contract for half days only. 

    Vacation Care

    Vacation Care is offered on non-holidays and school breaks when school is not in session. Vacation Care begins at 8:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm.

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-The approach at NCCL is to help the child reach their full potential academically, socially and emotionally. Students learn primarily through active investigation and discussion, but also engage in note taking and reading for information.

-Students are asked what they want to learn and the curriculum is tailored to that curiosity so that kids feel like they’re empowered in their learning journey. They start each new topic by asking “what do I already know?” and “what do I want to find out?”

-In our classrooms you might find students:

  • designing bridges inspired by Inca engineering

  • building ecosystems during science investigations

  • traveling the world through cultural studies

  • presenting ideas during community meetings

  • learning through field trips and outdoor exploration

Every project encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and real understanding.