The History Of
Northumberland Christian School

Thirty-five 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

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