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Upper School

Upper School Viewbook

Middle School

In middle school, students are taught reasoning and logic through both direct instruction and through the integration of logic into other disciplines. Students work through both formal and informal logic in 7th and 8th grades, gaining an understanding of argument formation and fallacious reasoning by the end of their 8th grade year. Instructors in middle school utilize various classically-influenced methodologies in their classrooms each day. The incorporation of the Socratic method places the responsibility for learning squarely on students’ shoulders, and requires a level of engagement that ultimately helps to develop students’ critical thinking skills.

Core courses in middle school (History, English, Math, Science, and Bible) are offered at both the honors level and standard level. While both tiers are rigorous and college-preparatory in nature, the honors coursework emphasizes a higher level of student engagement and critical thought development. Students wishing to enroll in honors courses must meet the criteria for honors placement. Teacher recommendation, standardized test scores and grades are used in determining eligibility.

In addition to these academic offerings, students in middle school have the opportunity to partake in multiple Fine Arts offerings. Students in grades 6 through 8 are required to choose one visual art and one performing art per year. Current offerings include Concert Band, Chorus, and Art. Visit our fine arts page for more information about each of these offerings!

High School

Students in the high school program at North Hills continue their classically influenced journey by engaging in what we call the “Rhetoric School.” In this high school program, students utilize skills they have gained from lower and middle schools to pursue a deeper understanding of the movements of western civilization, from the Ancients through Modern European and American history. Studying chronologically and holistically, students will engage with the culture of each time period, reading the literature, understanding the scientific advancements, analyzing the predominant worldviews, and identifying impactful figures and events throughout history.

Honors and Advanced Placement courses offered on campus ensure that students who desire a higher level of academic rigor  will be appropriately challenged, while a partnership with Catawba College and various local community colleges allows North Hills to offer its students both college and high school credit for courses taken with the college.

At North Hills, we believe that every student is created uniquely in the Imago Dei, the image of God. Because of this belief, we individualize graduation plans for each student, based on their diverse talents and interests. Students are encouraged to engage in internships within the Rowan-Salisbury community in their 11th and 12th grade years, so that they can begin to build skills that will aid them in life after high school.

Our mission statement, “Equipping hearts and minds of students to impact the world for Christ” is enacted through our emphasis on service to the local community. We place a high priority on the cultural mandate found in the book of Genesis (Genesis 1:26-28), and believe that as Christians we have a responsibility to the good stewardship of God’s creation. Students, individually and corporately, take part in community service opportunities throughout each year.