Academics

What We Believe About Learning

Norfolk Christian’s Educational Philosophy is grounded in the biblical truth that we are made in the Image of God, Imago Dei, and have an ordained purpose in His plan. Each of us has been given a unique set of talents and challenges that makes us who we are. We believe that God is glorified as we strive to excel through both, with determination when things are difficult, and humility and thanksgiving when they come easily.

The central theme of our teaching philosophy is that God created us as individuals and we learn in individual ways. Differentiated instruction focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of each student, with formative and summative assessments allowing students to demonstrate their learning in various formats. Giving students the chance to thrive with their unique strengths instills confidence and a desire to work even harder.

Why We Teach

At the heart of any instruction is our belief that God’s Word is the ultimate source of truth. This serves as the lens by which we view every other area. Biblical integration is not just an aspect of a Norfolk Christian education; it is the foundation for all we do. Our goal is to give students tools to develop deep, growing relationships with Jesus Christ, while they also gain an excellent command of academic knowledge and a Christ-focused perspective toward the world.

norfolk Christian middle school field trip 2020

How We Teach

We know that relationships are integral to success. Because of this, our teachers are
passionate about making students feel known and highly valued. These intentional mentor relationships create an atmosphere of trust, a safe place to try and fail at new things, and a strong work ethic that motivates students to push through challenges and accomplish more than they thought possible.

curriculum | Norfolk Christian Schools in Norfolk VA

What We Teach

A variety of resources is used to carry out our curriculum, curated by administrators, grade-level leads and department heads. At the center is a framework that develops essential higher-thinking skills and integrates our mission as Christ’s ambassadors into every area.

It combines the methodology of Christian Deeper Learning with five competencies that are crucial for the 21st century Christian student: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication and Christlike Character. These Five C skills will be vital in setting young men and women apart as college students and as indispensable members of a modern workforce. In the same way, Christian Deeper Learning invites us to become engaged in God’s story, equips us to play our unique role, and empowers us to apply our knowledge and skills to produce real work that meets the needs of real people (CACE). Using CDL as the structure through which academic standards are met creates students who see worldly problems, human hardship and spiritual need around them and eagerly work towards real-life ways to provide solutions for it. (Read more about Deeper Learning.)

The Whole Package

With these principles working together, Norfolk Christian carries out its mission by producing students who are scholars, leaders, problem-solvers, dedicated workers, initiators of change, and generous servants with the heart of Christ for the world around them.