Service & Leadership

At Northside Catholic Academy, we recognize that today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. We provide students with service and leadership opportunities that promote a respect for truth, a sense of compassion and help them become natural leaders.

Service

Throughout the school year, NCA students participate in a variety of service projects to help those in need and give back to the parishes and communities we serve. Over the years, we’ve collected food for the St. Ignatius Food Pantry, and supported local organizations like Care for Real, Housing Opportunities for Women, and the Red Door Animal Shelter. Students also participate in national service projects, most recently for schools and students affected hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Service field trips and activities are also integrated into our curriculum. Middle School students have taken service field trips to Cradles to Crayons and Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville. Every fall, volunteers from Big Shoulders Fund and Ernst & Young Chicago come to the Middle School Campus for a day of service.

Leadership

At NCA, we strive to build leadership qualities in our students by offering leadership opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. Teachers provides students with a variety of age-appropriate opportunities to be leaders in class. Students also actively participate in weekly masses and multiple school performances. By the third grade, a student who started at NCA’s Early Learning Center will have participated in a minimum of 12 performances and read at Mass at least seven times. This exposure to public speaking at an early age helps develop poised, self-confident and articulate individuals who are likely to be natural leaders in high school and adulthood.

Students in grades 5-8 also participate in NCA’s Student Council. Elections take place in the fall and include 8th grade officers and two representatives from each homeroom. Student Council organizes our annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Service Drive and hosts additional activities and projects throughout the school year. Student Council also has the honor of serving as NCA Student Ambassadors helping to give tours at NCA Admissions Open Houses.