The History Of
Northumberland Christian School
Forty years ago there were very few Christian schools in our
area, and that was typical of our country in general. Many Christians
had not even considered the possibility. The First Regular Baptist
Church of Northumberland and their pastor, Robert Blaylock, certainly
had no plans of starting a Christian school when they completed their
new educational wing for additional Sunday School space. Then the
church invited a guest speaker, Pastor Walter Chantry from Grace
Baptist Church in Carlisle, PA, who happened to mention to Pastor
Blaylock, "Have you ever considered starting a Christian
school?" The seed was sown. Subsequent contact with Donald
Howard and his newly formed organization called "Accelerated
Christian Education" watered that seed, and N.C.S. was soon
to appear.
Northumberland Christian School began in September of 1972 as one
of the two A.C.E. schools in the state and one of only 18 in the
country. Mrs. Gayle Fox was the teacher, with 16 students in
grades 2-8. She helped A.C.E. write some of their English curriculum.
Pastor Blaylock was the principal of the school and functioned as
an area representative for A.C.E. He traveled throughout
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware, speaking in
churches to present the need for Christian schools, and then helping
those who decided to start A.C.E. schools. Within the next few years,
schools were started in Allentown, Harrisburg, Hanover, Watsontown,
Kreamer, Sunbury, Bloomsburg, and Paxinos, along with hundreds of
schools around the country.
1972-73
N.C.S. begins with 16 students, grades 2-8; Gayle Fox, teacher;
Pastor Blaylock, principal
1973-74
45 students
1974-75
84 students; John Rees comes to be the principal and teacher of
the high school; Gayle Fox continues grades 2-6; Patti Crawford and
Valerie Scott become the first kindergarten students who will
eventually complete all thirteen grades at N.C.S.
1975-76
Expansion to four classrooms
1977-78
First N.C.S. graduating class - 6 students; Julie Thomas and
Marianne Fox write the words for the N.C.S. Alma Mater for the first
commencement service.
1979-80
Expansion to six classrooms -
discontinue A.C.E. - change to conventional classes
1982-83
First NCS alumnus returns to
teach, Marianne Fox; first lockers added to school; first darkroom;
change to NIV
1983-84
Enrollment reaches 100 students; concrete floor added to main
room; first computers (5 VIC 20's)
1986-87
Second and third grade separated
1988-89
Annex is constructed; first bus is purchased
1989-90
Auditorium receives new pews and classroom
1990-91
Fourth grade receives separate classroom
1991-92
Enrollment for year exceeds 200; Word for Word books
published
1992-93
New soccer field
1993-94
Classroom added at 223 Queen St.
1994-95
Classroom added at 221 Queen St.
1998-99
Parents' Council established
1999-2000
NCS establishes a presence on the web
2000-2001
Gretchen Brosius begins the NCS Preschool program.
2002-2003
FBLA chapter started
2003-2004
New Kindergarten & Preschool building added
2004-2005
5th and 6th grades get separate rooms for the entire day
2005-2006
NCS purchases the Old Rea & Derrick Warehouse on 5th Street and
begins rennovations
2006-2007
NCS moves to new building on 5th Street. A School Board is formed to oversee the finances and facilities of NCS.
2010-2011
NCS holds the Warrior Walk for the first time with the donations going to a new fenced-in playground.
2012-2013
Our first ever gymnasium is built at 5th Street and commencement is held in the new gym.
2019-2020
NCS ends the year with remote learning as the PA governor closes all school buildings in the state in response to Covid-19. Commencement is held in the parking lot of Emmanuel Bible Fellowship Church.
2020-2021
Most students return to the building for in-person education, while a few students choose the option of distance learning. NCS provides chromebooks for all 7-12 students and for any elementary students who require one for distance learning.
2021-2022
280 students K-12. Over 300 students Preschool-12. All students return to in-person education. Jeremiah Bennett becomes the 3rd Principal in the history of NCS. Pastor Rees finally earns a promotion to a new role of NCS Administrator after 47 years as Principal.
More details can be found by viewing past yearbooks.
