Nazarene Christian Academy

I am so sorry for what that Parent went through.  I am a parent there and can't say that I know who you are.   I hope your faith has helped you since your experience.

What I can say about the school is that the elementary school has an excellent curriculum.  They are more advanced than the local public schools (I would say a year ahead).  I know this first hand because we were in a local public school system prior to finding NCA.  They use the Abeka system.  I am pleased with the Preschool through 6th grade portion of this school.

What I can also say is that the junior high and high school are not acceptable if you want your child to go to college.  The kids that are there are behind the local public schools in curriculum.  They say they are college prep but, at this time, they are not.

The staff turnover is huge in the past few years, especially in the 7-12 grades.  There is very little respect.  I hope the school can come to its senses over this but I do not hold a lot of hope.  There is nepotism in hiring.  These students need CERTIFIED teachers, not graduates of this same school who have gone no where.   These kids don't need friends, they need teachers who will push them to be their best.  There are a few good teachers but they are not in charge so their skill is diluted by people in charge who have no idea how to teach teenagers.

This school has a chance to be great.  I do think that there are students with behavior problems who are at this school because of their behavior problems.  What this school has that sometimes helps kids like this is structure.  It also does not have MCAS.  Well, they had more structure a few years ago and that has eroded a bit.  High expectations with manners and respect create an atmosphere of learning far better than public schools where kids are accommodated until they are blobs.  Students are expected to have manners in the elementary school.  Preschoolers can walk in a line without the mayhem and chaos I see at a local public elementary school.  

Don't misunderstand me, you need active parents involved with your students, no matter if you are going public or paying.  Just because you pay tuition does not entitle you to ignore your student as they fail.  No school can take all the blame for your child's behavior problems.  Again, I do not know who Parent is who wrote the other review but we are very involved with our children, not helicopter parents, but parents who back up teachers.

The new building is under construction and that will be wonderful.  At this time, there is no gymnasium or cafeteria.  The kids eat lunch in their rooms.  Still, the elementary school's teaching far makes up for the lack of infrastructure that exists today.  The new building will only help.

Another huge issue is LACK OF COMMUNICATION.  We seem to need to guess when school starts every year.  Calendars are very late to get out and the elementary school is on a different calendar than the jr/sr high school when it comes to report cards and end of terms.  There is a now a blog and a Facebook page which is better but there needs to be more communication.

So, in summary, Preschool through 6th, great school.  7th and up, needs work.  More certified teachers, less turnover of staff and a willingness to realize that as you grow, leadership needs to change and grow also.

I would highly recommend this school to those looking for a Christian elementary school.  Anything beyond that and I would wait and see what the next few years hold.  

Don’t be fooled.  Just because it says “Christian” in the name doesn’t mean it’s Christian in the way it operates or in the way it treats children and families.  I have never been so disappointed and disgusted in a Christian organization as I am with this school.  The staff, teachers, and administration have been extremely hurtful to my children and family.  
The negative, judgmental, and critical comments made directly to my children and myself have been extremely hurtful.  These comments were made not only directly to us but also where made in front of other students and parents were told not to allow their children to associate with mine.  My children were not only labeled as troubled, broken, and hopeless they were constantly told this by their teachers and the administration.  Even the pastor of the church asked the principle why she continued to bother with this family.  

My children were pushed out of this school in the most hurtful way and even teachers were heard by other students to say “alright!! they’re finally gone!!”.  This is a terrible shame.  If this is Christian behavior then everyone associated with this school needs to read their Bible again.  Not only that, but they need to ask for forgiveness.   If I wasn’t a Christian or if I were a new Christian, they’re unkind hurtful treatment of my children and family would turn me off and away from Christianity.  It is only because of having been a Christian for many years and knowing that my salvation comes from the Lord that I have been able to move on.  

My unfortunate experience with this school is not the only one out there.  I have spoken with many families that have had the same reprehensible treatment from this school.  It is a sad shame that children and families are treated to badly at this Christian school.
I have spent much time in prayer and continue spending time in prayer asking the Lord to help me forgive them for the terrible way they treated my children and myself and I trust that the Lord will heal the hurt in their hearts caused by the “Christians” at this school.  My prayer is also that the Lord will bring everyone associated with this school to true repentance and salvation.