Curious Minds, Clear Answers
Find answers from curriculum and scheduling to values and beliefs.
We welcome questions about our school. Information packages with more detailed information available upon application.
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About Nicene Classical Academy
We offer a full K-12 program.
Kindergarten – Grades 6 students meet at our north Calgary location once a week. Grades 7-12 meet in the same location twice weekly for in-person instruction to compliment at-home studies.
NCA provides quality classical academic instruction that goes beyond textbooks. Our mentor/apprenticeship model sees students develop biblically sound leadership skills through character and virtue formation.
Our students gain valuable opportunities with Christian business owners and professionals, opening doors to future possibilities. We cultivate a family-friendly culture with enriching extracurricular activities, ensuring an emphasis on the whole person—spiritual, academic, artistic, and athletic. Upon graduation, all students receive an Alberta high school diploma.
Our students gain valuable opportunities with Christian business owners and professionals, opening doors to future possibilities. We cultivate a family-friendly culture with enriching extracurricular activities, ensuring an emphasis on the whole person—spiritual, academic, artistic, and athletic. Upon graduation, all students receive an Alberta high school diploma.
Admissions & Enrollment
Enrollment opens in January for the following school year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until classes are full.
visit our Admissions page to complete an application for your child. Please note that enrolment is not confirmed until a formal offer has been made by the Nicene Classical Academy, and accepted by the child’s parents or guardians.
Yes. As part of the admissions process, we meet with families to engage in thoughtful conversation about educational vision, values, and expectations. This meeting helps ensure a strong partnership between home and school and confirms that our mission aligns with your family’s goals for your child’s formation.
Academics & Curriculum
Yes. To cultivate excellence and community, we host annual Christmas and spring performances where students present choral, musical, and dramatic pieces. These occasions demonstrate the fruit of a classical education—eloquence, order, and joyful expression.
Yes. Under the banner of the Nicene Knights, our grades 7-12 focus on athletics as part of a holistic education, emphasizing discipline, physical literacy, and developing character. Competitions and multiple athletic sports are offered.
Outdoor pursuits includes adventures in hiking, climbing, rafting, and skiing, theatre productions, career days, and history or science based field trips. These optional opportunities are designed to cultivate wonder, resilience, leadership, and fellowship beyond the classroom.
Outdoor pursuits includes adventures in hiking, climbing, rafting, and skiing, theatre productions, career days, and history or science based field trips. These optional opportunities are designed to cultivate wonder, resilience, leadership, and fellowship beyond the classroom.
The elementary years are designed to create a rich and holistic learning environment.
From the classical perspective, our elementary years focus on the Grammar Stage of the Trivium. This involves laying a strong foundation by filling minds with foundational understanding across all subjects. Students are exposed to great stories and ideas through an integrated approach. Through consistent practice, students master essential skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic, which establishes a foundation for advanced logical thinking. Woven throughout this is the emphasis on living books and using narration to foster comprehension and ownership of knowledge. Regular outdoor time and nature journaling studies are used to cultivate observation skills and scientific curiosity. Key elements also include habit formation for character development and regular exposure to great art and music to nurture aesthetic appreciation.
From the classical perspective, our elementary years focus on the Grammar Stage of the Trivium. This involves laying a strong foundation by filling minds with foundational understanding across all subjects. Students are exposed to great stories and ideas through an integrated approach. Through consistent practice, students master essential skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic, which establishes a foundation for advanced logical thinking. Woven throughout this is the emphasis on living books and using narration to foster comprehension and ownership of knowledge. Regular outdoor time and nature journaling studies are used to cultivate observation skills and scientific curiosity. Key elements also include habit formation for character development and regular exposure to great art and music to nurture aesthetic appreciation.
Yes. Students can earn an Alberta high school diploma after completing coursework and writing provincial exams. Student work, as in any Alberta high school, is evaluated for credit by our Alberta-certified teachers at NCA.
Absolutely. Our students forge formidable academic and intellectual abilities, essential tools for success in post-secondary institutions and life’s broader challenges. Read the article on the $10 Billion Rise of Classical Christian Education on why businesses are taking a closer look at classically trained students.
Nicene Classical Academy offers a distinct educational experience with content-rich curricula that build on formal logic and philosophy to sharpen reasoning and foster deep thinking. It includes mathematics and sciences, and incorporates fine arts to cultivate an appreciation for beauty and creative expression. Teachers use the Socratic method, employing questioning to spark critical thinking and a deeper grasp of truth through guided discussion.
During the high school years or the Rhetoric Stage of the Trivium, students focus on cultivating eloquence and persuasion, learning to articulate thoughts clearly, logically, and persuasively through advanced composition, public speaking, and debate. This stage emphasizes wisdom and application, as students apply their accumulated knowledge and reasoning to understand complex ideas, analyze arguments, and formulate well-supported conclusions.
Nicene Classical Academy aims to educate the whole person intellectually, morally, and spiritually, equipping students not just for college or a career, but for a life of purpose, wisdom, and active engagement with the world. It prepares them to think for themselves, articulate ideas effectively, and discern what is true, good, and beautiful.
During the high school years or the Rhetoric Stage of the Trivium, students focus on cultivating eloquence and persuasion, learning to articulate thoughts clearly, logically, and persuasively through advanced composition, public speaking, and debate. This stage emphasizes wisdom and application, as students apply their accumulated knowledge and reasoning to understand complex ideas, analyze arguments, and formulate well-supported conclusions.
Nicene Classical Academy aims to educate the whole person intellectually, morally, and spiritually, equipping students not just for college or a career, but for a life of purpose, wisdom, and active engagement with the world. It prepares them to think for themselves, articulate ideas effectively, and discern what is true, good, and beautiful.
Yes. Latin is offered as a foundational part of our curriculum in the Grammar and Logic stages. Latin sharpens logic, expands vocabulary, and improves English reading and writing skills by clarifying word origins and grammar. Its logical structure enhances critical thinking and problem-solving, benefiting performance across all subjects, including math and science. Latin connects students with classical texts and is beneficial for careers in law, medicine, and science. No prior Latin experience is required to register at NCA.
Daily Life
Our hybrid model blends the richness of in-person learning with the flexibility of at-home learning..
Grades 1-6 attend a full day of classes once a week on Community Days from September to May, excluding holidays and reading weeks.
Grades 7-12 participate in two Community Days per week from September to May, excluding holidays and reading weeks. These days allow for academic engagement with instructors and peer interaction while preserving essential time for independent study and subject contemplation at home.
Our Kindergarten program meets for half a day on Community Days from September to May, excluding holidays and reading weeks.
The rest of the week is spent learning at home, guided by curriculum plans and supported by our teaching team, giving families the opportunity to take an active role in their child’s formation.
Grades 1-6 attend a full day of classes once a week on Community Days from September to May, excluding holidays and reading weeks.
Grades 7-12 participate in two Community Days per week from September to May, excluding holidays and reading weeks. These days allow for academic engagement with instructors and peer interaction while preserving essential time for independent study and subject contemplation at home.
Our Kindergarten program meets for half a day on Community Days from September to May, excluding holidays and reading weeks.
The rest of the week is spent learning at home, guided by curriculum plans and supported by our teaching team, giving families the opportunity to take an active role in their child’s formation.
In addition to full year plans and learning portals, students receive clear, grade-appropriate instructions for every subject. A reasonable pacing schedule keeps students engaged and on task. Our subject specialists and teachers are available to assist students and families.
As essential partners to our Classical Christian education, parental involvement is vital to a student’s success. We foster a strong home-school connection, seeing ourselves as collaborators in the holistic formation of intellect, character, and faith.
We encourage parents to volunteer, attend school events, and engage in NCA community life to enrich our shared culture and establish a supportive network. Through this partnership, we collectively nurture students who are not only academically strong but virtuous, responsible, and engaged members of society.
We encourage parents to volunteer, attend school events, and engage in NCA community life to enrich our shared culture and establish a supportive network. Through this partnership, we collectively nurture students who are not only academically strong but virtuous, responsible, and engaged members of society.
Tuition and Finances
Tuition is based on the level of study. We are committed to making classical education accessible and strive to maintain affordable tuition rates for every student. For full details on pricing and available payment plans, please contact our administrator directly.
Yes. Families purchase consumables such as workbooks and personal supplies. Curriculum guides are available in March for the following year. Some resources are accessible through NCA’s Lending Library; some high school texts are loaned to students.
