"Many schools offer good academic programs, but we selected NCA because it offers much more. NCA has an integrated arts program, music, drama, and numerous after school activities ranging from sports to chess club. The incredible art work that is brought home by even the youngest students, the band concerts, the music performances and many other activities show how the dedicated teachers at NCA are able to bring out the best in our children. NCA is community that is rich in ethnic, religious, and economic diversity and this diversity lends to teaching children about faith and social justice. NCA's academic curriculum is also very strong, as evidenced by the Terra Nova test scores and the success of NCA graduates in high schools. Our eldest child graduated this year and placed in the 99th percentile on her admissions exam at St. Ignatius College Prep. She feels well prepared for high school and is very happy to have had the opportunity to attend NCA."

“We currently have two children at NCA. My daughter, now in third grade, started at NCA in Kindergarten. We went through the same bewildering scramble many Chicago families face when choosing a school. We went to all the school open houses, applied for the magnet schools and looked at private schools. We came upon NCA by accident when we moved into the neighborhood. After the first visit, we knew we had found the place for our kids. We could feel something special in the spirit of the place, the looks on the kids’ faces, and the enthusiasm of the teachers. We started our second child out at NCA in the preschool program. He’s now in first grade. Although we don’t come from a Catholic background, we’ve been extremely happy with our choice of this Catholic school. The families are very involved and there is a true sense of community here. Our kids have adjusted wonderfully and are thriving socially and academically. We have never questioned our decision and would recommend NCA wholeheartedly to any family looking for a positive learning environment for their children.”

“We have been an NCA family since our first child started kindergarten thirteen years ago. She is currently a Senior at Whitney Young High School and has been very well prepared to succeed academically in this challenging College-Prep program. We also currently have a daughter in 8th grade and a son in 2nd grade, both doing great and very happy at NCA. Our goal in searching for an elementary school was to find a place that was not only going to be strong academically, but more importantly, would teach our children values such as compassion, kindness, sharing and forgiveness – a sort of antidote to society’s message of selfishness and materialism. What we have found is a wonderful community of families and children who believe as we do. It has provided a network of safety where our children can not only learn academically, but can also learn to be good human beings. You usually don’t see this aspect of a school advertised in a brochure, but as a parent, this sense of community has been invaluable to me.”   

“We transferred our three children from another private school to Northside Catholic Academy for many reasons. We were impressed with the implementation of the dual language program, a separate Middle School, the attention to ethics and the sense of community for the whole family. We feel this approach truly nurtures and develops future leaders. Our children will be intellectually and spiritually ready for the challenges of the modern world.”   

“As parents committed to raising our children in the city, we evaluated all the educational options for our children (both public and private) and chose NCA. It is truly a small, neighborhood school which enjoys a long-standing reputation for providing a quality academic experience at an affordable price. As non-Catholics, we find the school welcoming and its approach to religious teaching flexible, respectful, and values-oriented. As parents, our access to the teachers and principal is exceptional and our ability to meaningfully participate in our child’s educational process is extraordinary.”

"My husband and I are so HAPPY with NCA since our son started school. We love everything about the school !!! He has adjusted very well. He is very happy and he is learning so much. There is not a day that he doesn't have something to tell us about his day. He has also learned so much in art, music, gym, and Spanish class. He sings all the time. It makes me happy because he loves it!! He's teacher has done a great job in teaching my son. I am a teacher in Chicago and I know the hard work it is. I really appreciate the care she takes with him. The atmosphere in the school is the same - there are very caring individuals at the school and the parents I've met give off the same feeling. We have definitely made the right choice in schools!!!"        

“With two children attending NCA, our family has been associated with the school for over the last 10 years. The one constant through this last decade has been the caring, thoughtful, committed teachers that helped our children achieve their very best year after year. If we had to do it all over again, NCA would still be our first choice.”