YEAREND HIGHLIGHTS 2025-2026
YEARINREVIEW
From the Head of School
Hello Norfolk Christian Community! I hope you enjoy this wrap-up of the 2025-2026 school year. If you have not yet watched the companion video, I invite you to do so by scanning the QR code or clicking the play button on the photo below. You will see highlights from the school year, hear testimonies from NCS teachers and students, and learn our priorities for the year ahead
Thank you for being part of the NCS family. May God continue to richly bless this school as we seek to glorify Him and mold Ambassadors for Christ.
Alex Gispert
Scan to watch the video
2025 ACCREDITATION REVIEW
CESA Findings
In November 2025, Norfolk Christian hosted an accreditation team from CESA (the Council on Educational Standards and Acountability) for our five-year institutional review CESA is an international, faith-based organization that “supports and holds accountable Christian schools that aspire to superlative academic standards and institutional best practices.” We are honored to have been a Member of Council school with CESA since 2011.
In their review, the Accreditation Team gave the highest commendation for our community being unified and grounded in the Norfolk Christian mission See their commendations below:
Our Distinctly Christian Mission - The Team observed a positive spiritual climate and an emphasis on our biblical core values.
Our Strong Team - From Board engagement to an effective leadership team, they praised our unified commitment to creating a positive school culture and moving the school forward
Strength in Teaching and Learning - The Team praised our faculty and staff for their ongoing growth and effectiveness in meeting student needs, providing rich opportunities for student engagement, and maintaining a rigorous curriculum while also addressing individual learning needs
Our Warm and Welcoming CommunityThey noted a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with a strong sense of community that continually seeks to reflect Christ
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
AP Honor Roll
For the third consecutive year, Norfolk Christian has earned a place on the College Board’s AP Honor Roll, again at the highest level of platinum. This is the highest distinction given to schools and reflects our commitment to preparing students for college through rigorous Advanced Placement courses and college-level studies NCS was among the first private schools in Virginia to receive this recognition in 2023 and has been honored with it every year since then We are deeply grateful to our teachers and students for the hard work and dedication that make this achievement possible
Before
E
Opportunities
We are always striving the best learning oppo - 2026, we added class including Mock Trial, Filmmaking in high s Logic, and Debate in m Advanced Robotics, alo Strings & Band electiv schools
Preparing for the Next Step
With 16 AP courses, 14 Honors courses, and a diverse selection of dual enrollment offerings, high school students took advantage of numerous opportunities to earn weighted college credit and explore career interests. Upper classmen participated in a wide variety of internships and professional programs, in such fields as law, healthcare, education, politics, business, marketing, broadcasting, social media, videography, auto h i d l t t
FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS IN 2025
Dunlap-Garrick Student Center
Our goal with facility improvements is always to create the best learning environments using resources God has already blessed us with The 2025-2026 school year brought a complete refresh of the former Upper School library, transitioning it into a new hub for student services This open space now houses our academic counselors, student scheduling, spiritual and emotional counseling staff, and our international program director, as well as providing a welcoming study and meeting space
Another bonus of the space is a new partnership with Norfolk Public Library that allows our students full access to their entire system of print, audio, and video materials. Every NCS student received a library card at the beginning of the year and can order materials through a dedicated computer in our Student Services Center. Our concierge service provides pick-up and return of their items, giving students their own library with over 750,000 titles
AmbassadorShoreline-PhaseOneComplete
NCS students have been enjoying the recreational spaces and outdoor classroom created in Phase 1 of the Ambassador Shoreline for over a year now We are delighted to announce that, through a generous grant from Norfolk’s Beazley Foundation, we have begun Phase 2 of the project, which will create a “living shoreline” across our 500 feet of waterfront Middle school Science teacher and 2020 grad Shemaiah Kentish explains why this is vital.
IThe Importance of a Living Shoreline
I‘m very excited to be working with Mrs Hood, Mrs Royster, and the Chesapeake Bay Leadership team to make Phase 2 of the Ambassador Shoreline project happen this summer In collaboration with the Elizabeth River Project, we are thrilled to create an environment where plants and animals will thrive
Norfolk Christian’s shoreline is part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, located along the Lafayette River. This important piece of waterfront is home to thousands of creatures. Creating a living shoreline is a natural approach to protecting and stabilizing the coast, using native plants and other natural materials. It helps to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and restore habitats for oysters, fish, crabs, and a variety of shoreline birds.
Beyond the environmental benefits, Phase 1 of this project has already been a powerful learning tool for our students, giving us space to admire and care for God’s creation. High school, middle school, and lower school students work side-by-side to care for their shared ecosystem. They’re getting hands-on opportunities to explore science, sustainability, and stewardship in a real-world setting Rather than just learning about their environment in the classroom, students of all age levels can now experience it firsthand, right here on our campus
Shemaiah Kentish ‘20 Middle School Science Teacher
HIGHLIGHTS2025-2026
Fields of Faith Worship Night
Our NCS Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle hosted Fields of Faith on October 4 on Moore Family Field. Fields of Faith is an FCA ministry where student-athletes meet in sports arenas around the country and encourage peers to read their bibles daily and grow in their relationship with Christ. Norfolk Christian was honored to host one of the only Fields of Faith events in Virginia for 2025 th
Military Recognition
In October, Norfolk Christian was awarded the honored designation of Purple Star School, for our support of military students and families. With 25% of our student body having an active-duty or veteran parent, NCS is committed to providing the supports military children need to thrive
The year also saw the launch of a military scholars program that offers twenty unique $1000 tuit scholarships each year to active-duty families, regardle of rank.
And April 2026 brought joy to our campuses as celebrated military-connected students during The Mo of the Military Child. National Purple-Up Day and ot special activities recognized military children all mo long.
cAdoo Jersey Retirement
the first time in NCS history, Norfolk Christian retired the uniform a former student-athlete On January 10 , the jersey of 2011 duate James Michael McAdoo was hoisted high in the Smith Gym, onor of James Michael’s extraordinary basketball career The ner of numerous state and national accolades, he led his fellow bassadors to multiple conference and state titles and left an lible mark on NCS athletics. After graduating, James Michael t on to be a star player at the University of North Carolina and r to earn two championship rings with the Golden State Warriors th
HIGHLIGHTS2025-2026
Shamrock Marathon Water Station
For the third consecutive year, our Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle sponsored a water stop at the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach Arriving while it was still dark, they prepared for more than 20,000 runners to pass them during the race. With water cups, trashcans, and encouragement ready, they cheered runners on and spread the love of Christ as each one passed by. The NCS water station was such a hit that runners voted it the best stop on the course!
Sue Royster Pier Dedication
On October 9 , more than 200 friends, family members, and former students gathered to dedicate the new Ambassador shoreline pier to the woman who first dreamed of it - legendary Biology teacher, Sue Royster Working with Mrs Hood and students on our Chesapeake Bay Leadership Team, Mrs Royster was overjoyed to see her vision from long ago finally come to life, and to watch it be used so well in teaching stewardship of God’s creation to our current students th
de level are building solid ng relationship with Christ gration in every class and are thriving through these ls -
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More and more students are seeking the chance to share testimonies of what Jesus is doing in their lives with peers, on stages large and small
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THE BIBLE IN ACTION
One of the most important things we do at Norfolk Christian is teach students to read, understand, and love the Word of God High School Bible Teacher Don Robison took a unique approach to studying the book of Revelation with his 10 Grade Bible class this year, and the result was something his students will hold onto forever As they became invested in the imagery and messages of this beautiful Scripture, Dr. Robison let them take the lead in bringing the book to life Each student contributed in their own distinct way to a compilation resource that walks readers through every verse of Revelation. th
When I first heard the idea of teaching Revelation to 10th Grade students, I wondered how that might go Revelation is a tough book in a lot of ways, even for adults But it is also the only book that starts with a promise of blessing.
Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed are you who read this book out loud, and blessed are you who hear it ”
So we read it through out loud Every word We noticed that the out-of-this-world concepts and images were amplified when you heard them read. There was no escaping them And it was good I grew from this experience as much as the students.The Lord met us here. In all of it, we sought to see Jesus and love Him.
What we ended up with was this beautifully illustrated, extensively commentated book about Revelation Every member of the class had a role in creating it And what they created was extraordinary. My prayer is that they will continue to use it and be blessed by our study of Revelation for many years to come
Don Robison HS Bible Teacher
Read Their Book
Click the book photo to the right or scan the QR code below to read a digital copy of “Revelation: Observations and Reflections”
ATHLETICHIGHLIGHTS
Boys Lacrosse Makes Program History
The Varsity Boys Lacrosse team made Norfolk Christian history when they advanced to the program ’ s first state play-off game in May Hosted right here on Moore Family Field, it was an energy-packed event for the entire school, as our boys won their first quarter-final game and advanced to the VISAA state semifinals It was one of our favorite community events of the year and an incredible season for this growing progam!
Firsts in Girls’ Sports
Swim: Freshman Ruby Shellock became the first-ever diver in the history of Norfolk Christian’s swim program, advancing all the way to VISAA state competition, where she placed 11 in the state! Let’s go, Ruby! th
Wrestling: In January, NCS hosted Hampton Roads’ first Iron Ladies Girls Wrestling competition, where junior Autumn Smith swept 5-0 and took 1 place in the tournament. Autumn later became the first wrestler in NCS history to make nationals and came in 3 at the National Prep Wrestling Tournament. Congratulations, Autumn!! st rd
Lacrosse: Our Girls Lacrosse program became a Varsity sport in only its second year and posted its first win. Great things are on the horizon for this growing program!
Sammy Reed Blows Through Reco
Eighth Grader Sammy Reed ran at the speed of light th breaking multiple NCS records. Sammy now holds the school in the 1600 and 3200 for both Indoor and Outdoor Track, and we don’t expect him to stop there!
FINE ARTS HIGHLIGHTS
Windsong Performs in London
Our high school vocal ensemble took their talents to London in December, where they performed for local audiences at venues like the King’s Cross Baptist Church, while they experienced iconic London culture at such legendary places as the Globe Theatre, the London Eye, and Kensington Palace
Before
Concert Band Service Tour
Our Concert Band and Wind Ensemble spent two days in March spreading the joy of music to audiences in Hampton Roads who may not experience the arts outside of their facilities They performed for groups at The Ability Center, Lake Taylor Rehabilitation Center, and Westminster Canterbury. It was a beautiful way to represent Christ in our community.
After
COMINGFALL2026
Upper School Bandroom
This summer, we’ll be joining two Middle School classrooms to form a spacious and soundproofed bandroom. This refreshed space will give band students a unified place to practice and store equipment inside the main academic wing The current sixth grade classrooms will move into open classrooms in the main hallway
Golf Simulator
As we re-purpose the current band facilities in the athletic hallway, the room now serving as instrument storage will become a practice space for our growing golf program, equipped with a new Golf Simulator
Advanced Media ProductionNorfolk Lower School
A new advanced elective class for fourth and fifth graders at our Norfolk Lower School campus will move students beyond generating content and train them to edit and produce the material they create
Cheer and Wrestling Space
The NCS Cheer and Wrestling teams will gain a much-needed space of their own this summer, as we remodel the current band room into a dedicated practice room, created with the safety and comfort of these important programs in mind
New Vocational Options
We have broadened our partnership with Tidewater Community College so that students who wish to pursue technical careers can work toward vocational certifications during the school day This new program is made possible through a generous scholarship sponsored by the Huenerberg family, and will provide an early foundation for students interested in specialized trades
THEAMBASSADORRETREAT
A Norfolk Christian First
For the first time in NCS history, we will take our entire high school community - students, teachers, staff, coaches, and volunteers - on a week-long retreat in September, to the beautiful Rockbridge Young Life facility in central Virginia Ninth through eleventh grades will each engage in a unique, class-specific activity on the first day, before joining seniors at the camp Tuesday for the rest of the week Years of prayer and planning have gone into this trip, and we are thrilled that God opened every door to make it happen in 2026 We pray it will be a time of spiritual renewal, relationship-building, and over-the-top fun for every student As Ms Sandwell says - it will definitely be the best week of the school year!
Scan the QR code above or click the button to the left to watch a promo video for our Ambassador Retreat
Mission Trips SERVICE TRIPS IN 2026-2027
Upper School students will have three opportunities to serve the local and global communities next year on Norfolk Christian-sponsored mission trips
CZECH REPUBLIC: SUMMER 2027
HIGH SCHOOL
Partnering with local churches and youth programs, students will support English language interaction and community-based initiatives, while experiencing the rich culture and history of the Czech Republic.
JAMAICA: SUMMER 2027
HIGH SCHOOL
Students partner with a local church in Buff Bay to serve the community through an FCA sports camp, community improvement projects and various outreach opportunities Students are immersed in the vibrant culture of Jamaica.
NORTH CAROLINA: SUMMER 2027
MIDDLE SCHOOL
In partnership with EY2S, this trip will emphasize personal growth, worship, and service. Students will help with food distribution, senior care, gardening, small scale construction, and Vacation Bible school
For more information on Mission Trips, email: christopher chacko@norfolkchristian org
SERVICE TRIPS IN 2026-2027
Educational Trips
A cultural tour of Spain and a service and performance-based trip for our Band program round out the offerings for Spring and Summer 2027
SPAIN CULTURAL TRIP: SPRING BREAK 2027 HIGH SCHOOL
This unforgettable 10-day journey will explore the history, art, foods, architecture, and culture of Spain’s most iconic and breathtaking destinations - Barcelona, Madrid, Andalusia, Seville, and Granada. Students on this allinclusive trip will see history come to life as they experience the culture and rich traditions of the beautiful country of Spain
For more information on the Spain Trip, email Carolina Valencia here
TAMPA, FLORIDA : MARCH 2027 CONCERT BAND & WIND ENSEMBLE
On this music-related service tour, NCS band students will connect with local Christian student musicians in the Tampa/St Petersburg area They wil perform with other high school students and use music to share the Gospel, while they also hone their performance skills and grow in their friendships with each other
For more information on the Band Trip, email Karen Jackson here.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS 2026-2027
Our CESA accreditation review challenged us with two areas for improvement, which will better ensure Norfolk Christian’s long-term excellence:
Building healthy cash reserves to strengthen our financial position and allow for less shortterm, operational borrowing
Working on a more robust, organizational strategic plan
We welcome and agree with this feedback Norfolk Christian has a long-standing commitment to financial responsibility, making sure our revenues cover expenses, debt obligations, and essential needs By God’s faithfulness, that approach has sustained this ministry for more than 70 years. One of our priorities moving forward is to strengthen our financial foundation with cash reserves that will weather the unexpected
PRIORITY: NEW STRATEGIC PLAN
Norfolk Christian’s current Strategic Plan will be fulfilled in 2027. We have already begun the process of creating a new plan that is driven by the NCS mission and its vision for long-term sustainability, program excellence, and institutional growth.
This collaborative effort between our Board of Trustees, outside experts, and members of our faculty, staff, alumni, and parent groups, will result in a robust Strategic Plan with actionable goals and objectives to guide the next ten years at Norfolk Christian.
We look forward to presenting the new Plan to our entire community in the spring of 2027.
PRIORITY: BEACH EXPANSION
One of our highest priorities for the 2026–2027 school year is to secure additional space for our growing Virginia Beach Lower School. With campus enrollment more than doubling in the last five years and a growing wait list, the desire for a college-prep, Christian education in Virginia Beach is stronger than ever Over the past year, our dedicated Beach Campus Expansion Committee has actively explored several promising opportunities, in our search for the best long-term solution for NCS students and families
We remain confident that the Lord is faithfully guiding each step of this process and has already prepared the right path for Norfolk Christian We invite you to join us in praying for continued wisdom, clarity, and alignment as we pursue a space that will serve our Virginia Beach families well and support the school’s future growth
