This is the first in a series exploring education at Nashua Christian Academy.

"Teach Me Knowledge and Good Judgment,

For I Believe in Your Commands" - Psalm 119:6

In the early years as Christian parents, you have assurance that the influences most affecting your child are aligned with your faith and values: the family and the church. But before you know it, a third major influence comes into your child's life: elementary school.  Since students spend in excess of 30 hours a week there, choosing a school based on its structure, culture, and underlying principles is not a simple choice.

At Nashua Christian Academy’s K-5 elementary school, your child’s horizon of knowledge will be expanded in a God-honoring way. Here we build solidly upon the firm foundation that Christian parents provide their child at home and at church.

As a master educator and someone with ten plus years of experience at NCA, our Elementary School Principal, Mrs. Jean Eastman has a solid perspective on what sets our elementary program apart:

"Our mission, Passion for God, Compassion for People drives everything we do here at NCA. We develop passion for God in our youngest students by learning to love Him, praise Him, and read, memorize, discuss and obey His Word. Each day is a new opportunity to practice living lives pleasing to the Lord. Children learn compassion by observing it in the lives of their teachers as they instruct from a godly perspective, as they model kindness and compassion and with their words and actions. The teachers take the time to stop and instruct in those "teachable moments" that happen throughout the day, and we actively seek to instill in our students a love for others.

'Young children need to feel safe, secure and loved.

They need to know God loves them and that they are part of His family.

Mrs. Eastman's heart for Christian education comes not only from her role as a teacher and principal, but also from that of a parent.  She recalls her own child's experience: "My daughter came to Christian school when she was in fifth grade.  The change was more significant than I expected.  As a young believer in the public school system, she would hide behind trees at recess to pray.  There were 30 students in her classroom.  The teacher told her to "ask a neighbor" when she had a question.  Not only did Christian school give her the freedom to be who she was as a Christian, to pray and learn about God at school, she also became a more solid student.  Smaller classes meant more teacher attention.  Friendships were more easily established and nourished.  She flourished!  Young children need to feel safe, secure and loved.  They need to know God loves them and that they are part of His family.  Our small Christian school is a family away from home where children learn to love God and love others.

"What about NCA’s elementary school teachers?  “I have the best staff in the world!” says Mrs. Eastman with enthusiasm. “Because NCA is a discipleship model school,” she explains, “the teachers have strong teaching gifts and credentials, but they also wholeheartedly agree with our mission to instill passion for God and compassion for people.  Our teachers are our greatest asset at NCA.  We take seriously the trust that parents have placed in us to nurture and instruct their beloved children.”

NCA parent Julie Dillow brings the perspective of someone educated in Christian schools who now works as a student teacher in a public elementary school.  She and her husband Brian are the parents of three students currently in the elementary school at Nashua Christian Academy.

With experience in several schools in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Julie recognizes the value of faith as the backdrop to education in general, but is also able to point to some specific advantages of Christian education at NCA.

“First,” she said, “NCA has a good balance of faith and academics.”  In Julie’s experience, “some Christian schools use curriculum that is strong on faith but weak on subject matter.  NCA teaches faith, but it is not at the expense of academics.”

Julie also enjoys the commonality of the parent population’s dedication to their children’s education and the sense of community at NCA.  She feels that NCA teachers are able to give their students the best of their knowledge and gifts, because, unlike their public school counterparts, “they are free from the limiting mandates that federal and state legislation imposes on public education.  The realities of a public school classroom include significantly larger classes, and intense pressure put on students to score well on achievement tests in order to secure federal funding.”

According to Julie, NCA’s educational process is enhanced because “there are fewer limitations and distractions.”  This means that more creativity and flexibility can come into instruction, based on curriculum which truly engages students – as opposed to drills which are strictly based on standards and test protocols.  The result, Julie concludes, “is that at NCA teachers teach to the students, in a conducive learning environment, and give students the advantage of more focus and individual attention.”

What do our students say? Mrs. Seremet’s second grade class shared these thoughts about their school: “My school is the best in town!”  “We love to talk about God and read the Bible.”  “My friends really care about me.”  “I love my teachers and my principal because they care for me. The Bible tells us to obey them.”

Transfer students come to Nashua Christian Academy at all levels. Catherine Bee transferred from her hometown public school to NCA’s third grade in the fall of 2007. Her Mom, Heather, says, “By and large, we were very satisfied with the public school’s academics.  But Catherine’s Dad and I had a growing concern that the Christian faith that just poured out of Catherine’s little heart was not welcome in the school.  We came to the realization that it was not our child’s faith that needed to be contained, rather, she needed a learning environment with expansion room for her growing faith. I would also add, that as a very “hands-on” mother, I appreciate the strong faculty-parent synergy at NCA.”

As principal, Mrs. Eastman occupies the “corner office” on the elementary floor, but she knows intimately the hearts and minds of young children. And so it was not difficult for her to describe a day at NCA’s Elementary school from a child’s perspective:

“I am at school seven hours a day, so I am watching my teacher all the time.  My teacher loves the Lord, and loves me.  She prays for me.  We pray together as a class, we talk about how I can live more and more like Jesus.  I can ask questions about the Lord, and I know that I am going to get an answer from His Word.  I am an individual, unique and appreciated for who I am.  Because my teacher knows how to find answers from the Bible, I understand more about His world and my place in it.  I am encouraged to grow in my love for God and in my love for people.”

Christ-centered elementary education compliments the efforts of families and churches to raise children to the glory of God. Nashua Christian Academy’s elementary school is a place of stewardship, where every day we joyfully partner with Christian families to engage, encourage, and educate young children. We are a community of grace where God is sought and celebrated, and our passion for God and passion for people reaches intentionally and specifically to the little ones Jesus expressed His love for in Luke 18:  “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”

For additional information about the value of Christian education, visit the Why Christian Education page on our website and www.discoverchristianschools.com