Students Come Early to NCS to Prep for Success

Last week, three dozen students new to NCS, in Grades 7 through 9, took part in an on-campus program, Prep for Success, designed to give them a running start into the school year.

Over five days, the girls, in Grades 7 through 9, developed bonds while touring the memorials on the Mall, learned new academic skills through sessions on analytical writing and organization, and previewed some of the classes available to them.

They also began exploring what NCS's core values -- excellence, courage, service, and conscience -- mean to them. The program culminated with each girl reading a personal statement connected to the core values. The 9th-graders read their statements before each other at the All Hallows Amphitheater.

The final element of Prep for Success was learning which team -- Purple and Gold -- each girl would join, followed by ice cream. It was an auspicious start for these students, and also for this program, which was brought to life by Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Wendy Wilkinson and the entire Admissions team. Paige Blumer, Candace Vaccarella, Jessica North Macie, Devon Williams, Deborah Virtue and Dustin Sanderson came in to teach sessions, while many other NCS faculty and staff made important contributions to the program.

A slideshow of the rising 9th-graders delivering their personal statements is in the NCS Media Gallery.