NCS Online Course Catalog

Grade: 7

Textbook Title: Competing Worldviews by Summit Ministries

Semester or Yearlong Course: Yearlong

Elective or Core: Core

Course Description: Students will be systematically covering questions related to the study of God consisting of basic theology. Students will compare and contrast the key tenets of Christianity to Islam, naturalism, and new spirituality. In addition, students will be covering "Godly dating standards".

Grade: 7

Textbook Title: Independent works of literature

Websites: NoRedInk, CommonLit

Semester or Year-long Course: Year-long

Elective or Core: Core

Course Description: The course of study for 7th graders is designed to challenge students to improve their communication skills in writing, speaking, and comprehension of literature. Literature studies will focus on a variety of literary forms, including short stories, novels, biographies, and plays, and will enhance students’ skills in analysis and understanding authors’ purpose. Students will develop their writing skills through structuring clear thesis statements, through the process of drafting and editing their work, and through applying the Six Traits writing rubric. Grammar and convention skills, as well as vocabulary, will be embedded in unit studies and addressed through weekly practice. Students will strengthen their critical thinking skills and learn to apply Biblical principles to their analysis and enjoyment of literature.

Grade: 7

Textbook Title: Glencoe Math Course 2

Semester or Year-long Course: Year-long

Elective or Core: Core

Course Description: In this course, students will focus on four critical areas: (1) developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships; (2) operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; (3) solving problems involving scale drawings, geometric construction and surface area, and volume; and (4) drawing inferences about populations.

Grade: 7

Textbook Title: Glencoe Math Accelerated: A Pre-Algebra Program, McGraw-Hill Education 2017 

Semester or Year-long Course: Year-long

Elective or Core: Core

Course Description: In this course, students will learn math skills and strategies that are necessary to prepare them for Algebra I. We will study the language of algebra and strategies for algebraic reasoning, solving problems involving integers and absolute value, rational numbers, powers and roots, proportional relationships, problem-solving with percentages, evaluating algebraic expressions in numeric and verbal forms, solving algebraic equations and inequalities, linear functions, statistics and probability, congruence and similarity in transformations of 2-dimensional figures, and volume and surface area of 3-dimensional figures. This class is a prerequisite for Algebra I.

Grade: 7th 

Textbook Title: Integrated iScience Course 2 (Glencoe), McGraw Hill Education

Semester or Year-long Course: Year-long 

Elective or Core: Core 

Course Description: In this course, students will cover physical, earth and space, and life science standards. This includes intro to chemistry, forces in motion, gravity, Newton’s laws of motion, cycling of matter and flow of energy in the layers of the atmosphere,sun, earth, moon system, the solar system, technology in weather prediction, climate, cell theory, organization of life, and photosynthesis. We will focus on developing and using models, constructing evidence-based explanations, collecting and analyzing data, and planning and carrying out investigations. 

Grade: 7

Textbook Title: BJU Press The American Republic 4th Edition; and Various Sources  

Semester or Yearlong Course: Yearlong

Elective or Core: Core

Course Description: This course is a yearlong survey of global studies from exploration of the New world through the present. The content focus will be viewed through historical and geographical lenses. Students will understand the relationships and interactions between societies and cultures in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. United States history will be taught as it interacts with global issues. Students will engage in skill development including: map and graph reading, critical reading and analysis. Students will be encouraged to use critical thinking skills and make application of historical knowledge in developing a Biblical worldview.

Grade: 8

Textbook Title: Glencoe Algebra 1

Semesters: 2

HS Credits: 1

Course Description: Algebra 1 establishes the foundation for all future math courses. This course is designed to prepare students for continued studies in advanced mathematics and to achieve success in college. The goals of this course are to help students develop their abilities to explore and solve mathematical problems, think critically, work cooperatively with others and communicate clearly. This class emphasizes the structure of Algebra in the development of computational problem solving skills. The course includes working with real numbers, solving equations and problems, polynomials, factoring, algebraic fractions, functions, systems of linear equations, inequalities, rational and irrational numbers and solving quadratic equations. This course is taken for high school credit. Students will need a Ti 83/84 graphing calculator for this course.

Grade: 8

Textbook Title: Christianity in Action by Summit Ministries

Semester or Year-long Course: Yearlong

Elective or Core: Core

Course Description: The 8th grade Bible course helps students understand how they can live out their Christian worldview in a post-Christian culture. The course also focuses on hermeneutics, the basic principles of how to study the Bible. The students will learn to properly observe, interpret, and apply the Word of God. The students will then incorporate these principles in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, focusing on: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes.

Grade: 8

Textbook Title: Independent works of literature

Websites: NoRedInk, CommonLit

Semester or Year-long Course: Year-long

Elective or Core: Core

Course Description: In this course, students will further their comprehension skills through analysis of text. This course will include in depth literature studies on novels such as The Pearl, Diary of Anne Frank, and a collection of short stories. Students will gain the ability to write argumentatively with solid reasoning and evidence based research. They will be introduced to the Jane Schaffer paragraph method of writing and inclusion of the Six-Traits of writing. Additionally, students will learn grammar with an emphasis on parts of speech and sentence structure. They will continue to increase their vocabulary through the learning of Greek and Latin Roots.

Grade: 8th 

Textbook Title: Integrated iScience Course 3 (Glencoe), McGraw Hill Education

Semester or Year-long Course: Year-long 

Elective or Core: Core 

Course Description: In this course, students will describe how stability and change and the process of cause and effect influence changes in the natural world. Students will apply energy principles to chemical reactions, explore changes within Earth and understand how genetic information is passed down to produce variation among the populations. Student investigations focus on collecting and making sense of observational data and measurements using the science and engineering practices: ask questions and define problems, develop and use models, plan and carry out investigations, analyze and interpret data, use mathematics and computational thinking, construct explanations and design solutions, engage in argument from evidence, and obtain, evaluate, and communicate information. While individual lessons may include connections to any of the crosscutting concepts, the standards in eighth-grade focus on helping students understand phenomena through cause and effect, energy and matter, and stability and change.

Grade: 8

Textbook Title: Various Sources

Semester or Yearlong Course: Yearlong

Elective or Core: Core

Course Description: In this course, students will focus on citizenship and civic engagement. Students will make connections between historical and current/contemporary issues as a base for implementing change in society. Students will recognize and practice their roles and responsibilities as both American and global citizens. United States History will focus on the major events that have their roots in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and amendments. Additionally, students will complete a personal finance unit to demonstrate their understanding of how to be good stewards of the money and resources God has given them. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to use critical thinking skills and make application to the real world and their personal lives. Emphasis will be placed on developing cultural awareness and a biblical worldview.

Grade: 6th-8th

Textbook Title: Various Sources

Semester or Year-long Course: Semester

Elective or Core: Elective

Course Description: In this course, students will explore poetry, fiction and other genres of literature. The course will help students learn to think and write creatively to inspire meaningful writing pieces. Students will write creatively in a variety of genres and modes; learn to critique clearly, intelligently and supportively the work of themselves and others; revise and reshape their own work through the creative process; and produce a final choice project.

Grade: 6-8

Textbook Title: Alfred's Music Theory Book 1

Semester or Yearlong Course: Semester

Elective or Core: Elective

Course Description: Music theory is a course designed to teach students the language of music. This course is appropriate for students who are new to music or who already play an instrument. Students will learn how to read music by learning about the staff, clefs, note names, pitches, and note durations. Students will learn about various articulations and how they impact musical notes and passages. Students will begin writing musical compositions to apply what they learn. 

Grade: 6th-8th

Textbook Title: Various Sources

Semester or Yearlong Course: Semester

Elective or Core: Elective

Course Description: In this course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and understanding of nutrition necessary to establish and cultivate a healthy and informed relationship with food. Students will learn key terminology related to nutrition, identify personal nutritional habits, and learn about the essential nutrients for life. Additionally, students will learn how to study protein, carbohydrates, and fat macronutrients and vitamins, minerals and water micronutrients. Students will research and identify an organization in their community that is working to combat food insecurity, identify careers in dietetics, learn about nutrition as medicine, and complete a research project. 

Grade: 6th-8th

Textbook Title: NextGen Personal Finance

Semester or Yearlong Course: Semester

Elective or Core: Elective

Course Description: In this personal finance course, students build core personal finance skills and learn real-world strategies to effectively manage their personal finances. Topics include decision making, budgeting, saving, consumer skills, preparing for high school and more. By the end of this course, students will have a basic understanding of personal finance topics and a foundation in the skills necessary to successfully navigate the financial responsibilities that exist in life.

Grade: 6th - 8th 

Textbook Title: Various Sources

Semester or Year-long Course: Semester or Year-long

Elective or Core: Elective

Course Description: Physical Education is a course designed to educate our Northwest Christian students in physical fitness, health and wellness, first aid, and nutrition. The Physical Education course takes into consideration the whole person (spiritual, physical, mental, social, and emotional) as it educates and challenges students on the importance of health/fitness in their lives. In order to achieve this, students will learn how to do a variety of physical activities and log their daily exercise. Students will learn the history, rules, strategy, and physical requirements of various sports. Students will also learn the basics of first aid and nutrition. 

Grade: 6th - 8th 

Textbook Title: Various Materials

Semester or Year-long Course: Semester

Elective or Core: Elective

Course Description: In this course, students will learn basic conversational Spanish, through controlled, transitional, and open-ended activities to assure the development of communication skills. Basic writing and grammar will be introduced as well as strategies that will help students learn how to approach learning a language more effectively. Within the semester course, students are introduced to the cultures of various Spanish speaking countries.  

After completion of Middle School Spanish, any 7th grade student will have the opportunity to take an aptitude test in order to test into High School Spanish for their 8th grade year. The students that pass, will earn High School credit as an eighth grader.

Grade: 6th

Textbook Title: Measures of Success, Book 1, by Brian Balmages, Deborah and Robert Sheldon

Semester or Year-long Course: Year-long

Elective or Core: Elective

Course Description: Beginning Band is open to any 6th grade student with an interest in playing a band instrument. Students will learn all aspects of music including performance, history, theory, ear training, worship, and music appreciation in order to be whole musicians. The band performs at the Christmas and Spring concerts. There are many opportunities for advanced students to participate in additional performances. Students will be eligible for our Disneyland Trip and Forum Band Festival in April.

Grade: 7th- 8th

Textbook Title: Standard of Excellence, Vol. II

Semester or Yearlong Course: Yearlong

Elective or Core: Elective

Middle School Band is open to 7th- 8th grade students by audition only. Students in this group should have at least one year of experience with his or her instrument. The level of music performed in Middle School Band is challenging and engaging, requiring band members to be committed musicians. The Middle School Band performs at semester concerts, chapels, football games, and other school events as needed. Students in this group will develop skills in advanced musicianship.

Grade: 6th – 8th 

Textbook Title: Various choral music 

Semester or Year-long Course: Year-long

Elective or Core: Elective

Course Description: Middle School Choir is open to all 6th-8th grades students with an interest in choral performance. This is a non-audition choir and no choral experience is necessary. Students will be given an overview of various musical styles and will learn to follow musical scores, match pitch, perform basic choral warm-ups, identify musical symbols in various compositions, perform beginning sight-reading exercises and perform in four concerts throughout the year. Each spring the choir is invited to participate in a choral music festival in southern CA.

Grade: 7th – 8th 

Textbook Title: Various choral music 

Semester or Year-long Course: Year-long

Elective or Core: Elective

Course Description: Advanced Choir is open to all 7th-8th grades students with an interest in choral performance. Enrollment in this class is by audition, and prior choral experience is helpful but not necessary. Auditions are held in May of the previous year. Students will be given an overview of various musical styles and will learn to follow musical scores, match pitch, perform basic choral warm-ups, identify musical symbols in various compositions, sight-read basic melodies, and perform in four concerts throughout the year. Each spring the advanced choir is invited to participate in a choral music festival in southern CA.

Grades: 9-12

Semesters: 1st or 2nd

Credits: .5

Course Level: B

Prerequisites: None

Course Description: Art Expressions is a creative space in which students record snapshots of artists and their works before recreating the styles or subjects in unique, original compositions. Cultural and historical significance, biblical worldviews, art techniques, and hands-on projects comprise memorable multi-sensory art expressions. A final project (in lieu of an exam) serves as an autobiographical artifact of the student’s creative place in his or her own generation.

Grades: 9

Semesters: 2

Credits: 1

Course Level: B

Prerequisites: None

Course Description: This course will serve as an overview of the history, literature, and message of the Old Testament. The course will emphasize key events, places, and people of the Old Testament studied in relation to the overall story and character of God. Additionally, attention will be given to the foundation the Old Testament lays for the New Testament, as well as the promises which set the stage for the coming of Jesus.

Grades: 9

Semesters: 2

Credits: 1

Course Level: B

Prerequisites: None

Course Description: English 1 focuses on spiritual formation, close reading, grammar, writing, vocabulary, reading comprehension, researching, communication, organizational skills, and team building. Micah 6:8 is the backbone of this course: do justice, love mercy, walk humbly. All units are closely aligned with state standards and students will be challenged to grow spiritually and academically. Reading comprehension and analysis of informational text are woven throughout the class. Our anchor texts, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice and Men, and Lord of the Flies, will be analyzed in depth through a Christian lens to enhance students’ Christian worldview. Students will learn to write an expository paragraph, the five paragraph essay with emphasis on Jane Schaffer formatting, and a persuasive timed write response. In addition, students will also write a synthesis essay embedding research about people groups who still face injustice today and compose a cause and effect research paper on a topic of their choice. English 1 is the springboard that will help prepare students to be successful in all classes with a heavy emphasis on reading comprehension, writing, and executive functioning skills. 

Grades:  9-12

Semesters:  1st or 2nd 

Credits:  .5 

Course Level:  B

Prerequisites:  None

Note: This course is classified as both a fine art and technology and can be counted as either for credit.

Course Description: In this course, students will incorporate art and technology. In this class, students will use design as a creative process in communication. They’ll also explore various methods used to create and combine words, symbols, and images to create a visual representation of ideas and messages. Throughout the course students will gain a better understanding of the basic elements and principles of art, while ending the class with a completed portfolio.

Grades: 9

Semesters: 2

Credits: 1

Course Level: A

Prerequisites: 93% in 8th grade Language Arts

Note: A “C” or below at semester’s end will require a course level reevaluation

Summer Reading:  Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Course Description: This is an accelerated course that provides an in depth study of advanced grammar skills, advanced writing skills, and literature. The five-paragraph essay will be emphasized. In addition to the core anthology, students will read and study Romeo and Juliet, To Kill a Mockingbird, Death Be Not Proud, Hiroshima and The Odyssey.

Grades: 9

Semesters: 2

Credits: 1 

Course Level: B

Lab: Yes

Prerequisites: None

NCS Lab Fee: $50

Course Description: Physical Science integrates a comprehensive introduction to both physics and chemistry with an underlying emphasis on critical-thinking and scientific process skills. Students will learn and continually practice planning and conducting lab investigations, then communicate their findings through formal presentations or lab reports. Real-world applications and mathematical relationships are foundational components to both subjects and will be appropriately integrated throughout the year. The course examines topics such as Motion, Forces, Energy, Sound and Light, Classification of Matter, Properties of Atoms and the Periodic Table, and Solids, Liquids, and Gases.