OUR MISSION & DISTINCTIVES
Portrait of a Graduate
BEGINNING WITH THE END IN MIND
At NHC, we believe that every part of learning, and life itself, is a chance to explore and reflect the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. Whether your child is in the classroom, in The Grove, on the field, or on the court, we aim to nurture both their mind and heart.
Our character formation approach is guided by the "Portrait of a Graduate," a vision that shapes our educational practices to cultivate the qualities we ultimately seek in our students.
Our goal is that an NHC graduate is a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, demonstrating excellence, passion, and integrity as he leads for Christ’s mission in the world. He is a critical, logical thinker, capable of discerning absolute truth from cultural trends and philosophies. With a love for the Lord and a commitment to His teachings, the NHC graduate will be a lifelong learner, continually seeking truth and understanding. These qualities, rooted in humility, form a foundation that empowers him to present articulate, engaging, and persuasive arguments. An NHC graduate values God's image within himself and others, fostering a genuine interest in all people as reflections of God’s creation. The classical education and biblical worldview received at NHC will equip him to pursue vocational excellence, bringing glory to God in all he does.
We desire to cultivate students who:
Understand and believe the Gospel, enjoying a growing faith in Jesus Christ.
We believe the first three statements in the Portrait of a Graduate are foundational to the Christian life. Nothing is more vital than being reconciled to God and walking in unity with Him. Faith in Jesus is what restores us to God and renews His image within us.
Participate in the local body of Christ.
Christians are not meant to live in isolation as they embrace and practice the Gospel. Instead, they are called to be active members of the body of Christ—the Church—described in Scripture as the “fullness of Him who fills all in all.” While we continuously teach and reinforce the Gospel to our students, we do not seek to replace the local church. We encourage and support our families in fully participating in their own congregations.
Study Scripture, pray, and serve faithfully.
At NHC, the rhythms of faith are woven into every aspect of our school life, providing students with daily training and practice in spiritual disciplines. Active involvement in a local church is essential for the ongoing formation of Christians, offering worship that connects believers to God’s Kingdom. Building on this foundation, we seek to nurture Christian growth by creating opportunities for students to practice disciplines such as studying Scripture, prayer, and acts of service.
Read deeply; reason truthfully and rigorously.
In the classical tradition, we train our students in the verbal arts, known as the Trivium: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Grammar encompasses both the art and mechanics of reading, providing the foundation for language and understanding.
Logic, the skill of reasoning, equips students to explore questions and construct arguments. However, in a world filled with fallacies, not all arguments are valid or sound. Therefore, we emphasize a commitment to truth, requiring students to reason with rigor and thoroughness.
While these verbal arts are designed to teach students how to think and learn, we also guide them to consider what is most worthy of their attention—ideas and truths that lead to wisdom.
Speak and write with wisdom and eloquence.
Rhetoric is the art of persuading others of what is true, good, and beautiful. To do this effectively, one must combine wisdom with eloquence; without both, persuasion risks being either ineffective or harmful.
Engage creation with wonder, pursuing beauty and working diligently.
This principle directly informs our approach to training students in the mathematical arts, also known as the Quadrivium, which seamlessly integrates with the sciences and fine arts.
The beauty of God and His creation stirs a sense of wonder, inspiring a desire to engage more deeply with that beauty. As bearers of God’s image, we are also drawn to creativity. The more students grasp the purpose and design of creation, the better prepared they are to work with its materials and mechanisms. This understanding requires proficiency in mathematics, which is far more than a set of techniques. Mathematics reveals how numbers—whether discrete or continuous, applied to motion or rest—unlock the rhythms of the cosmos.
Combined with the persistence developed through diligent effort, a student whose wonder is shaped by beauty and who has mastered mathematical skills is well-prepared to contribute meaningfully and joyfully to the sciences and fine arts.
Love and serve Christ the King, bringing well-being and justice by sharing the Gospel and acting for the good of others.
Our Portrait of a Graduate concludes with a vision for how we desire our graduates to live as Christians in the world. When Christ is their highest allegiance, loving and serving Him naturally leads to loving and serving their neighbors. As Jesus said, He came to give life—life in abundance. Therefore, as His followers, we are called to spread this abundance wherever we go by proclaiming the Gospel, meeting the needs of those around us, defending the defenseless, pursuing peace, and expressing joy.
