Christian vs. Private Education: Is There a Difference?
When parents come to Northside Christian Academy searching for a school for their children, one of the questions we’re often asked is, “Is there really a difference between a private Christian school and a secular private school?”
To this, we always answer, “Yes!”
Both types of private education offer a curriculum that is in many ways more rigorous than public schools. Both may provide more interesting electives, a safer environment or even smaller class sizes.
But at a private Christian school in Charlotte, N.C., like Northside Christian Academy, there are a few notable differences. Chiefly because, at its core, NCA is providing “A Different Way of Educating for a Different Kind of Citizen.”
What does this mean?
First, while secular private education might be designed to create good citizens, only a Christian education can create disciples of Christ. Our instructors place a strong emphasis on joyful obedience to God and to authority. By reinforcing the values of your own Christian family, students are happier and are more likely to make positive contributions to society. Children develop a clear sense of right and wrong, and recognize the existence of moral absolutes, leading to the development of the character traits necessary to be upstanding citizens and thought-leaders for Christ.
Second, a private Christian school education teaches children to view the world through the lens of scripture. When students see their environment as God-created, they understand that, while the culture is ever-changing, the Word of God is not. As we study the scriptures together, students at NCA are encouraged to become influencers rather than followers. Sometimes, what we teach runs directly counter to what the secular world teaches. For instance, while the culture of pride runs rampant in our world (think sports, entertainment and possibly educational pride), we want to develop students who are diligent and even excellent at what they do (Col. 3:23), while maintaining a spirit of humility.
Third, a private Christian school education at NCA teaches students how to connect with each other and with the world, in a way that is different from secular education. The Gospels teach us to love one another, and forgive one another, as Christ has loved and forgiven us — that is freely and fully. We encourage our students to develop a heart of service, both to each other and the larger community. We do this through service opportunities with several Christian organizations as well as mission trips. While secular schools might offer, or even require, service hours, only a private Christian school is able to extend the love of Christ through school-sanctioned activities to reach Charlotte, N.C., and beyond.
Love and forgiveness are also central to our discipline policy at NCA. Following the example of Christ, and the admonition of scripture, we foster an environment of grace and unity. Ephesians 4:2 tells us to “be completely humble and gentle; bearing with one another in love.” (NIV) In an environment of mutual respect, students are taught to take responsibility for their actions and to seek forgiveness and restoration when sin is present.
At Northside Christian Academy, it is our desire to honor Christ in everything we do, from character development to school governance and discipline, and we believe our model of private Christian education to be vastly superior to that of secular private education.
Download our free e-book and learn more about NCA
If you’d like to learn more about our private Christian school in Charlotte, N.C., we’d like to give you a free e-book. In it, you’ll read more about the three differences outlined here and learn how Northside Christian Academy is creating “A Different Kind of Educating for a Different Kind of Citizen.”
As always, you’re welcome to call our admissions office (704-596-4074) with any questions or to schedule a tour. You may also email us or request more information here and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
