NCCL School

In NCCL’s multi-age classrooms, students learn with and from one another every day.
Older students build confidence and leadership skills by mentoring younger classmates. Younger students gain models, encouragement, and inspiration from peers just ahead of them.

The result is a classroom community rooted in collaboration, empathy, joy, and authentic relationships, not competition.

We have openings in grades K-5 for the 2026-2027 school year. Discover our student-centered approach at www.ncclschool.org.

One of the things that makes NCCL so special is the deep connection between our students and teachers.

In our small school community, teachers truly know each child: their strengths, interests, challenges, favorite books, funny stories, and unique personalities. Relationships are at the heart of our school.

Our students address staff by their first names, reflecting the mutual respect, trust, and sense of community that grows when children and adults learn and work together as people. It's not unusual to see teachers and students laughing together, sharing conversations, solving problems, or celebrating accomplishments side by side.

Perhaps most importantly, our teachers genuinely enjoy being with children. They delight in students' ideas, creativity, curiosity, and growth. The joy and connection you feel when you walk through our doors are real, and they are one of the many reasons families tell us NCCL feels like home.

We have openings in grades K-5 for the 2026-2027 school year. See what makes NCCL different at ncclschool.org!

What an incredible week at NCCL School Summer Camp!

Last week was filled with creativity, adventure, friendship, and plenty of laughter. Campers spent their days building forts, enjoying snacks and lunch outdoors together, and making wonderful memories in the sunshine.

There was no end to the arts and crafts this week, and we were continually inspired by our campers' creativity and imagination. From beautiful jellyfish lanterns and pet fish in handmade aquariums to magical fairy gardens and imaginative monster journals, every project reflected the unique ideas and talents of our campers. They even engineered noodle robots that could draw and completed an egg drop challenge!

We danced, sang, sewed, tie-dyed shirts, tackled a water obstacle course, explored through scavenger hunts, and, most importantly, made new friends along the way.

There is something so special about watching children learn, create, and play together in a caring community. We are grateful for every camper who brought their enthusiasm and imagination to camp this week and for the amazing staff who made it all possible.

Today we celebrate the NCCL School Class of 2026!

Our graduating class may be small in number, just four students, but they are truly strong, thoughtful, creative, and mighty. They have grown into leaders, problem-solvers, compassionate community members, and confident learners, leaving a lasting mark on our school community.

We are so proud of all they have accomplished at NCCL and cannot wait to watch them continue to grow, thrive, and change the world in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

Our 7th & 8th grade students recently completed one of Group 4's most beloved traditions: writing, illustrating, revising, designing, and ultimately publishing their very own picture books.

What begins as a study of beloved picture books and storytelling grows into a months-long creative journey. Students explore story structure, character development, narrative voice, and illustration techniques while learning from master authors and illustrators, revisiting many books they read in childhood. Along the way, they workshop ideas with classmates, hold writing conferences, storyboard their stories, revise endlessly, and support one another with thoughtful feedback and encouragement.

Each book reflects not only incredible creativity, but also vulnerability, empathy, and personal connection. Many students weave biographical elements and social justice themes into their stories, creating books that are both deeply meaningful and uniquely their own.

With guidance from their teachers and artwork developed in art class, students bring their stories fully to life, culminating in professionally published books they can hold in their hands. We are so proud of the imagination, perseverance, and heart our students poured into this project. Congratulations, Group 4 authors and illustrators!

At NCCL School, learning doesn’t come from textbooks.

Students explore ideas through hands-on projects, fieldwork, collaboration, experimentation, art, discussion, and real-world experiences. Curiosity drives the process, and children are encouraged to ask questions, take risks, and think deeply.
Because when students are actively involved in learning, understanding lasts.

We have openings in grades K-5 for the 2026-2027 school year. Learn more about what makes progressive education so meaningful at www.ncclschool.org

There are still a few spots available for Camp NCCL. Start your summer with us!

NCCL School - Summer Camp Kick off summer and make lasting memories at NCCL School Summer Camp! We are excited to offer one week of camp in 2026. Spend an unforgettable week doing arts and crafts, playing outdoor and indoor games, and making new friends!

Play is not a break from learning, it is learning.

This article beautifully captures something we believe deeply at NCCL School: young children learn best through curiosity, imagination, movement, collaboration, and meaningful play. Through open-ended exploration, children build social-emotional skills, language, problem-solving abilities, confidence, and creativity, the very foundation for lifelong learning.

At NCCL, we know that joyful, hands-on experiences, time in nature, creative expression, and child-centered exploration are essential parts of a strong Kindergarten experience. Come discover a school where children are known, inspired, and excited to learn every day! Learn more about our program at www.ncclschool.org, and read the article here: http://bit.ly/42Jrv6S

Play Is Disappearing From Kindergarten. It’s Hurting Kids. - EdSurge News I still remember the first time a student refused to step into my classroom. Initially ecstatic to start school, Truman was now red in the face from ...

Join us for Graduation on June 4 at 10am!

As the big day approaches, Group 4 kids are finishing picture books, preparing for their Grad Projects, and wrapping up their Big Give projects.

Alumni should RSVP so we can share your Grad Award with one of our current students! Please email [email protected] if you are able to make it - we would love to see you!

Looking for a joyful, engaging way for your child to kick off the summer? We’d love to welcome you to NCCL School Summer Camp the week of June 8–12!

At NCCL, summer camp is filled with creativity, exploration, outdoor play, hands-on projects, games, art, water play, and plenty of opportunities for children to build friendships and have fun in a warm, supportive environment. Our camp reflects the same progressive, child-centered spirit that makes NCCL such a special place to learn and grow.

Camp is open to children ages 4–12, and you do not need to be an NCCL student to attend. Full-day and half-day options are available. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to get to know our school community, meet our staff, and experience the warm, relationship-centered environment that makes NCCL so unique. There’s no better way to get a feel for the spirit of our school than by spending a week learning and playing alongside us.

Whether your child loves creating, exploring nature, imaginative play, or simply spending summer days with caring adults and new friends, we’d love to have them join us! Spaces are limited, so we encourage families to register soon.

To learn more and sign up, visit our website:

NCCL School - Summer Camp Kick off summer and make lasting memories at NCCL School Summer Camp! We are excited to offer one week of camp in 2026. Spend an unforgettable week doing arts and crafts, playing outdoor and indoor games, and making new friends!