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This year, our schoolwide theme will center on the word excellence. For many of us, we have heard this word used in different ways, and often the definition of this word can vary based on who is defining it. This is no different when we think of how we would define excellence in the education of our students: 

 

  • Have our students met the standard of excellence by achieving all A’s on their report card? 

 

  • Is excellence found when our students are well-liked in the hallways and have a good friend group? 

 

  • Does the receiving of awards and recognition or the acceptance into a good college bring them into this sphere of excellence? 

 

There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these things; however, as we know, achieving the above results is not always completely within our control and never quite satisfies that ultimate yearning of our souls. When our students begin to put their hope, worth, and identity in pursuit of things such as these, these pursuits begin to take the place in their lives that only their Creator was meant to fulfill. NRCA’s desire is for our students to continually find their foundation in the truth of God’s Word; and so, our schoolwide standard of excellence is rooted in a foundational pursuit of knowing Jesus in a personal way and making Him known to those around us through our words and actions.  

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In addition, our desire is that these Chapel series are not simply a weekly meeting for our students; but rather that they serve as a launching point into further discussions with their peers and their families. To that end, NRCA wants to partner with you in providing a brief understanding of each series throughout the year, as well as some questions you may find useful in starting those conversations with your students. I will send an email to you prior to the start of each series that will include the series topic, a weekly breakdown of the general concept being discussed, and some questions to help begin your conversations.  

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In Colossians 2:7, Paul writes to the church and says: “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” These questions will be called “Rooted Rhythms” as they look to foster rhythms of thought and action that are rooted in the truth of God’s Word. Our prayer is that these discussions will provide space for you to connect with your students as you seek to go deeper in their understanding of how to live out of those truths. 

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If there is ever anything I can do for you or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out and let me know. Praying for you as we work together to point our students to Jesus! 

Email Archive: Rooted Rhythms Chapel Questions
  • 1996 - The Journey Begins
    In May of 1996, Christian families and pastors from the Raleigh community approached Dr. Sherrill about starting a community Christian school that had a vision to minister to the whole body of Christ. Several area businessmen, parents, and local pastors encouraged Dr. Sherrill and his wife, Debbie, to prayerfully consider establishing a non-denominational Christian school. Two key businessmen leading were Danny Cox and Bruce Battle. Pastor Shannon Scott, Danny Cox’s pastor, allowed them to meet with their deacons and have a church vote to host a Christian school within a matter of a week. Dr. Sherrill, who founded NRCA, presented the vision of being a lighthouse of Kingdom Education for North Raleigh. There was immediate and overwhelming support throughout the community. On June 10, 1996, NRCA had its first registration night with almost 900 in attendance and registered 279 students. In three short months, God opened the school’s doors on September 3, 1996, housed at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, with an enrollment of 401 students K4 through 12th grade and a staff of 28. NRCA will forever be indebted to Pastor Shannon Scott and the Mt. Vernon congregation for opening their doors and being the birthplace of NRCA. Area pastors Mike Garrett (Crossroads Fellowship), Ron Rowe (Bay Leaf), David Horner (Providence), and Kevin Sweat (Providence) were instrumental through their prayers and support. There were countless stories of God’s provision and guidance during this first year!
  • 1998 - Second Location
    Growing by another 100 students for its second year of operation, the school was out of space. In 1998, Dwayne Milioni, Pastor of Open Door Baptist Church, welcomed NRCA to its second campus, Kindergarten-6th grade. Between the two locations, the enrollment was over 600. In 1999, with enrollment at 777, the school purchased 30 acres of land on Perry Creek Road with its availability and full payment, both miracles of God.
  • 2000 - Capital Campaign
    In 2000, we began a capital campaign to raise $5.8 million. This was very exciting because enrollment was full at both campuses with 850 students. On November 16, a Victory Rally with over 1,000 in attendance was held at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church with Christian artist Phil Driscoll to celebrate the generosity of many parents, grandparents, and friends who had given and continued to give to this ministry. Over $3 million was pledged at this one event.
  • 2001 - Site Plans Developed
    In 2001, a master site plan for Perry Creek was developed by Design Development that proposed five phases over twenty years. The first phase was a high school campus with ball fields and parking. Over time with additional phases, the elementary and middle school could move to the new campus. The day we received the architect’s master site plan, a foundation contacted us and stepped forward with a gift of $30,000,000. This made it possible to build the entire master site plan so all our students, Kindergarten-12th grade, could move to the Perry Creek campus.
  • 2002 - Perry Creek Opens
    In 2002, the Perry Creek campus opened with 1,150 students. Over the next few years, three additional purchases of property adjacent to the Perry Creek campus increased our site to almost 40 acres (4.99 acres in 2005, 2.74 acres in 2006, 1.05 acres in 2008).
  • 2006 - Band Room
    In 2006, a much-needed band room expansion was completed to accommodate a growing band program and marching band.
  • 2007 - Football Practice Field
    In 2007, the football practice field with storage facilities was completed, and restrooms were added to the baseball field house.
  • 2009 - Alumni Memorial Garden
    In 2009, the Alumni Memorial Garden was created to honor staff, alumni, coaches, and board members.
  • 2010 - The Next Step
    In 2010, a $9 million expansion project added a three-story academic building, elementary gymnasium, and soccer park. The Next Step Capital Campaign was launched. Over $4 million was donated, and the balance was paid in full in 32 months, another God story. This expansion made an enrollment of 1,500 possible.
  • 2011 - International Student Program
    NRCA began an International Student Program. The school also had the opportunity to purchase 20 acres next door with the passing of our neighbor, Mr. Leslie Stell. The price was at tax value, an unexpected and miraculous gift, because of Mr. and Mrs. Stell’s love for our ministry. This was also our first year of the annual Boosterthon. In addition, NRCA began a wrestling program.
  • 2012 - Little Knights Preschool
    In 2012, NRCA added its Little Knights Preschool for four- and five-year-olds who plan to transition into kindergarten the next year.
  • 2013 - Storage Facilities
    In 2013, NRCA built two storage facilities between the baseball and softball fields to house equipment for athletics, marching band, fine arts, and maintenance.
  • 2014 - 1:1 iPad Program
    In 2014, NRCA began its 1:1 iPad program in kindergarten–12th grade. NRCAplus Virtual Academy was added to the academic program which made it possible for students to take courses online through Sevenstar. This expanded course offerings beyond NRCA’s college preparatory program.
  • 2015 - Dual-Enrollment Program
    In 2015, we began our junior varsity lacrosse program. The Alumni Memorial Garden was relocated to its permanent home. We also began a dual-enrollment program with the fully accredited Southeastern College in Wake Forest. High school students can enroll in select courses taken under the teaching of our staff and receive college credit.
  • 2016 - Lacrosse Program
    In 2016, after fielding a club lacrosse team the previous school year, NRCA officially launched a varsity boys lacrosse program.
  • 2017 - Fitness Center
    In 2017, the new state-of-the-art fitness center was opened for our student athletes. The previous fitness center was also renovated, giving NRCA two excellent facilities.
  • 2018 - Dr. Sherrill, founder retires
    After seeking the Lord’s guidance and wisdom, Dr. Sherrill made the decision to officially retire in 2018, and Dr. Kevin Mathes was appointed as interim superintendent for the 2018–2019 school year.
  • 2019 - Dr. Mathes named Superintendent
    Dr. Mathes officially became the new superintendent of NRCA in the fall of 2019 and launched anew tradition of choosinga biblical virtue each year to highlight as a schoolwide theme. Kindness was the inaugural theme. Spring of 2020marked the official start of the COVID-19 global pandemic. NRCA was one of the few schools in the country to hold a safe, socially distanced, in-person outdoor graduation.
  • 2020 - NRCA launches Flexible Education
    With continued uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, NRCA launched Flexible Education providing the best educational experience possible, both on-campus and virtually, as we celebrated 25 years of ministry throughout the school year.
  • 2021 – High School Principal Mr. Danny Watkins retires
    In the fall of 2021, NRCA returned to full in-person instruction on campus and resumed field trips. Beloved principal and founding team member Mr. Danny O. Watkins announced that he would retire after completing his 26th year of service at the helm of NRCA’s high school division.
  • 2022 - STEM programs grow
    NRCA’s STEM programs experienced significant growth as robotics students swept the podium at the inaugural North Carolina ACSI STEM competition, won their first FIRST® Robotics Competition, and qualified for states in the FIRST® Lego® League Challenge. The robotics programreceived NASA Program Growth grants, implemented a cross-divisional energy education plan, and increased corporate and educational partnerships.
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