Student Life
	Academics, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities coexist and coincide. A student might play in the jazz band before school, run a National Honor Society meeting at mid-day, debate in an afternoon class and compete in a tennis match after school. This variety of opportunities broadens horizons for young people, encouraging them to try everything and giving them the space and security to do so.   The lower school, grades K-5, starts their morning in homeroom, where a few times a week they will enjoy a WNCS newscast presented by a rotation of fifth grade students.  There is an assembly each Friday that may include skits, birthday fairies, music and a variety of other fun activities. On a daily basis, along with the core classes, there is a rotation of courses including art, music, Spanish, computers, library and science lab.  For a greater insight as to the wonderful atmosphere and activities the students are involved in, please read the Head of the Lower School Cleteus Smith's eNewsletter. The middle school, grades 6 -8, begins their day in homeroom advisory.  Attendance is taken and reminders are given about the daily schedule and any special events of the day. Homeroom advisors welcome this opportunity to see the students and speak to them informally, getting to know their personalities and interests outside of the classroom.  Assemblies are a crucial part of the middle school experience and it is where we connect as an entire middle school community. There are two assemblies weekly where a variety of activities take place including, but not limited to, award ceremonies, guest speakers and announcements.  The Head of the Middle School Chuck McCormick also has initiated two awards - Athlete of the Week and the BARK (Bold Acts of Random Kindness) award.  The BARK award is an adjunct to this year's theme, which is the importance being a kind person.  To learn more, please read the Head of the Middle School's blog.    Homeroom for upper school students is called advisory.  Daily, the advisory program provides a structure for one-on-one meetings between a student and a faculty advisor, as well as small group advisory meetings. The advisor fosters courage and confidence, nurtures, advocates, guides and facilitates communication among the student, other teachers and parents.  The students develop a connection within their advisory group, while building academic and interpersonal skills.  Twice weekly assemblies, run by the student government, bring upper school faculty and students together for announcements, blue vs. white rallies, senior presentations and more. Enjoy reading the Head of the Upper School's blog.    We invite you to visit each school division page, located on the left red sidebar. Within this section you'll not only read about clubs designed to engage students of all ages, but also about special events which enrich the overall NCS student experience.