Roundtable Q&A Discussion About Niagara Christian Collegiate (2020)

I was not just one more student in the whole school. I'm actually someone in the school. That sense of community, people around me wanting me to become better, or maybe wanting to learn from others, is something that was extremely useful.

Our community board is a relatively small community. In contrast to other schools, I don't think there are many schools where the class sizes are relatively small. I can see the benefit of NCC having small classes: you get to know the teacher, and the teacher gets to know you.

It is a community in the sense that, you know, you're far away from home, but you have people there who care about you and are behind you all the time. They somehow act as parents. For example, if you are not doing really well at school or in a class, not only does the teacher know about that, but the dorm staff will also know.

Another thing that was really surprising to my parents was that the school is located alongside the river, which is pretty amazing and beautiful… The school is really beautiful, so that is something that would surprise their families.

You should take advantage of what you have available to you. By this, I mean the resources like the teachers, your friends, the location, and even the country. You should get out of your comfort zone.

Just trust your kids; trust your son or daughter that they will do well at school. Don't be behind them, pushing them. Just let them follow the path they want because the school will guide them academically and in other aspects.

The school would be best described as having staff who are lovable, caring, and adaptive, and the community feels like a family.

I was never pushed by someone to pray or to believe in something. And definitely, you can be a Christian or follow another religion and still fit in perfectly well at the school.

The first thing that stood out to me was integrity and quality of character. We've noticed that with administration staff, but also with all staff, even custodial staff and teachers, from middle school through high school. There’s been this consistency in the quality of character among the teachers, and a real Christian integrity, which we've really appreciated.

Kindness would be the next thing I would mention: generous, outgoing, and going above and beyond to make our kids feel comfortable and engage with us in a kind and respectful manner as parents, keeping us well-informed.

In such a unique environment, with both international and local students, the teachers and staff have really fostered an accepting environment. Both from teacher to student and from student to student.

As a pastor and father, the faith aspect at Niagara Christian Collegiate was very important to us. That was the first thing we valued and noticed at NCC. I had the privilege of speaking there in their chapel program previously, so there was already a connection, and it made sense for us in many ways.

If there’s anything I could say that we didn’t foresee as a positive in transitioning from public to private school, it would be the international component. Students from all over the world are coming together. That had a positive impact on our kids.

We didn’t anticipate the academic improvement at NCC. Even when there was a struggle, the one-on-one time that teachers can give students allows them to identify issues and notify us as parents with a clear plan to remedy the situation.

Our kids are thankful for opportunities that they might have been “forced into.” Because of the smaller context, they have opportunities they wouldn’t have in the public system, especially in sports.

From our perspective, there’s an obvious value in academic excellence, which we noticed immediately. The difference it made for our kids transitioning from public to private school was tremendous. That value is tangible and seen, felt, and appreciated.

The personal relationships that teachers can have with students regarding faith and a Christian worldview are also tangible. The environment as a whole reinforces these values, not just the chapel on Monday mornings, but is carried through the teachers and staff. Even in discipline, teachers help students manage the pressures of life.

The faculty has made a real difference for our students. As parents and as people running ministries, we’ve had the privilege of seeing this demonstrated by teachers and staff.

I know that no student is left to themselves. Every student, no matter how unique, is made to feel part of the family.

Being able to have a relational aspect to learning really helps children flourish. We had heard that small classroom sizes were great, but since we had never experienced it, we weren’t sure what to expect. Our kids had been keeping afloat in the public school system, and it was just wonderful to see, as they attended longer, how the teachers could really tune in to who they were.

The international aspect of the school has shaped her whole life. She loves having friends all over the world, which has inspired her to travel. After graduating, she went to Sweden and explored Europe. This is not something that will end anytime soon; she’s just loving it.

They’ve had key teachers who pushed and challenged them to overcome obstacles, which has been crucial in helping them take on challenges confidently. They’re no longer afraid to take risks, and their confidence has grown. These developments have extended well beyond school life.

They love the sense of freedom at NCC, with so much space to roam. They have independence and feel a sense of ownership over the campus.

They love the culture. It’s not a toxic environment. It’s pleasant, with kindness, respect, and good manners.

These values are reinforced by the personal investment of the teachers. They care about students’ well-being.

Teachers and staff, including custodial and administrative staff, regularly check in with students, ask how they’re doing, and offer prayer.

Integrity and values are clearly demonstrated. Being able to build relationships with dorm staff as well as teachers is important, especially for kids living on campus. They can share concerns, seek prayer, or be supported by a circle of care.