Spiritual Emphasis Week, known as “SEW” around NRCA’s campus, is a time for students to grow, strengthen, and focus on their faith. During SEW, middle and high school students attend three special chapel services over the course of the week. These services take place during the school day and begin with worship, followed by a message given by a guest speaker, invited specially for the week. Families and friends of NRCA staff and students can experience SEW through an additional series of night services within the same week.

Fall Homecoming season is a busy time at NRCA, packed with school, sports, and celebratory events. The Homecoming football game welcomes back many alumni each year and showcases performances from the marching band, color guard, and cheerleaders, along with the presentation and announcement of the Homecoming Court. Additionally, themed spirit days and a fall pep rally encourage school pride and celebrate community and friendships across grades at NRCA.

The annual Founders Day Fall Festival welcomes NRCA families and community onto campus for a day of celebration for the founding, growth, and success of NRCA throughout the years. On the Saturday of Homecoming weekend, the fall festival continues the theme of celebration, taking place the day after the Homecoming football game. Families get the opportunity to fellowship and spend time together while students participate in a variety of fun activities and games hosted by the school.

During the fall semester of each year, NRCA partners with a nonprofit organization to engage the entire school in a time of community service. The partner organizations are often local, and their mission statements align with biblical values. This annual schoolwide partnership allows students to learn about and support different causes through actively participating and serving alongside the organization. The most recent service projects have included Addis Jemari and Foster Hope of North Carolina.

Each year, NRCA kicks off the Christmas season with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. During this holiday event, the NRCA community is invited to gather and celebrate the birth of Jesus. The event includes a reading of the Christmas story and Christmas caroling led by the choir, along with cookies and hot chocolate for all. Capping off the night, students and staff count down and cheer the official lighting of NRCA’s Christmas tree. (And sometimes it even snows.)

To celebrate Valentine’s Day at NRCA, the senior class serenades the entire school with love and joy. Dressing in shades of pink and red, they parade through classrooms from kindergarten through 11th grade, handing out flowers, notes, and candy while singing a variety of songs, including "You Are My Sunshine" and "Wild Thing." Leading up to Valograms, the seniors prepare snack-size bags of candy, organize orders of Valentine’s messages and flowers, and practice singing the songs. Younger students look forward to this event each year and anticipate their turn as seniors.

NRCA welcomes the grandparents of students from all grades to explore the school’s programs on campus during the annual Grandparents Academy. Throughout the morning, grandparents learn about the academics, arts, and athletics offered at NRCA, along with attending a club fair that highlights middle and high school clubs. Guests also enjoy fine arts performances and a part of the spring musical, performed by students, as well as a light breakfast where they socialize.At the end of the event, grandparents can take their children off campus for lunch. Grandparents Academy is a wonderful way for grandparents to get to know the school where their grandchildren not only attend, but learn, grow, and develop their faith as students.

NRCA hosts a variety of academic competitions and fine arts festivals that highlight student achievement across many disciplines. Throughout the year, students have divisional opportunities to compete in academic competitions like the Math Olympics and spelling bee. The NRCA speech meet gives students the opportunity to receive scoring from experienced judges. A longstanding fine arts tradition is the Art Extravaganza, which showcases visual art pieces across all divisions and mediums. Recently, NRCA established the Southeast Regional Fine Arts Festival, which is hosted on campus and features band, choir, and visual artwork adjudication each spring. Fine arts students also participate in workshops at the festival to enhance their experience.

Performing arts offered at NRCA include theatre, band, choir, and dance. Throughout the school year, performances showcase students’ work and dedication. Band, choir, and dance do quarterly performances during middle and high school chapels and evening shows atdifferent times during the year. The Squire Theatre features fall and spring productions that bring in both NRCA and communitypatrons of the arts. Recent titles have included Into the Woods, Hello, Dolly!,My Fair Lady, and Our Town.

As the school year draws to a close, NRCA comes alive with celebrations that honor the incredible achievements of its students—from the joyful PreK Court of Honor and Kindergarten Celebration to the inspiring high school Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. Throughout these events, NRCA recognizes excellence in academics, athletics, and fine arts. Faculty present awards for honor roll, perfect attendance, and outstanding course performance. Rooted in its biblical mission, NRCA also shines a special spotlight on students who exemplify Christlike character and servant leadership—those who let the light of the gospel shine brightly both on campus and in the community. These end-of-year moments reflect growth, perseverance, and purpose, reminding the entire school community of God’s faithfulness every step of the way.