Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What sports does NCA offer? Nearly 80% of NCA students in Grades 4–8 participate in athletics. Sports are offered across three seasons:

• Fall: Girls Volleyball (Grades 4–8), Soccer (Grades 5–8), Cross Country (Grades 5–8), Jr. Wildcat Running Club (Grades 2–4), Bitty Basketball (Grades K–3)
• Winter: Basketball (Grades 4–8)
• Spring: Boys Volleyball (Grades 4–8), Bitty Volleyball (Grades 2–4)

Registration fees typically range from $30 to $150 depending on the sport. NCA is committed to ensuring every child can participate — families who need a fee reduction should contact NCA's Business Manager, Ed Garcia, at 773-743-6277.

Q: At what age/grade can students start playing sports? Students can begin participating in Bitty Sports programs as early as Kindergarten (Bitty Basketball). Most organized league sports begin in Grade 4 or 5. NCA structures athletic programs developmentally, with K–3 focused on fundamentals, Grades 4–6 on skill development, and Grades 7–8 on competitive play.

Q: Does NCA have a summer camp? Yes! The Wildcat Summer Camp runs from June 22 to August 7 (2026), 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. each day. Camp features weekly themes including science experiments, soccer fundamentals, arts and crafts, music, and Olympic-inspired activities. It is designed with working parents in mind — structured, full-day, and held in a setting kids already know and love. Tuition is $290/week for 4+ weeks ($260/week for siblings), or $330/week for fewer than 4 weeks.

Register for summer camp
 

Q: What grades does NCA serve? Northside Catholic Academy serves students from Preschool (age 3) through 8th grade, offering a complete PreK–8 Catholic education on a single campus in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago.

Q: Do I have to be Catholic to enroll at NCA? No — you do not have to be Catholic to enroll. NCA welcomes families of all faiths and backgrounds. Our community speaks more than 23 languages and includes students from a wide range of religious traditions. All students participate in our faith-centered curriculum and school life as learners, not as required believers. Students of other faiths are graded on academic engagement with religious content, not on personal belief.

Q: How do I apply? Applications for the 2026–2027 school year are open now and can be completed online on our website. The process is designed to be clear and family-friendly. For questions, email admissions@ncaschools.com or call 773-743-6277.

Start your application

Q: Is there an entrance exam or assessment? NCA’s admissions process is designed to be welcoming. For most grade levels, no formal entrance exam is required. For certain grades, a brief developmental assessment or review of previous school records may be part of the process. Please contact admissions@ncaschools.com for grade-specific details.

Q: Can I tour the school before applying? Absolutely — we encourage it! You can schedule a personal tour at calendar.app.google/F5EXhEDq5iWgLFYc7, attend one of our “Coffee with the ’Cats” mornings, or visit during an Open House or Play Date event. Nothing replaces seeing NCA in action.

Q: Does NCA give preference to siblings of current students? Yes, sibling enrollment is given preference during the admissions process, reflecting our commitment to keeping families together in our school community.

Q: What neighborhoods does NCA serve? NCA serves families from across Chicago’s North Side, including Andersonville, Edgewater, Rogers Park, West Ridge, Uptown, and surrounding neighborhoods. Families from beyond these areas are also welcome to apply.

Q: How much does tuition cost at NCA? 2026–2027 tuition rates are as follows:

• Preschool (Early Learning): $11,130 per child
• K–8 Parishioner — 1 child: $10,200 | 2 children: $18,300 | 3 children: $26,100 | 4 children: $33,500
• K–8 Non-Parishioner — 1 child: $11,300 | 2 children: $20,900 | 3 children: $30,300 | 4 children: $39,400

Tuition includes books, curricular materials, and technology fees. A field trip fee ($100 for PreK, $150 for K–8) and a one-time registration fee per family are also charged. Payments are made via automatic withdrawal beginning in August.

Q: Is financial aid available? Yes. NCA offers financial aid through its Guardian Angel Scholarship Fund for families who demonstrate financial need. Aid is available for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Approximately 40% of NCA families receive financial assistance.

Q: How do I apply for financial aid? Financial aid applications are processed through FACTS Grant and Aid (School ID: 21400). To apply, visit the FACTS portal. The priority deadline is February 1, with awards communicated in early March. Applications submitted after February 1 are reviewed on a rolling basis if funds remain. Required documents include recent paystubs, W-2s, and filed tax returns. For questions, contact admissions@ncaschools.com or FACTS support at (844) 441-4637.

Q: Is Catholic school tuition tax-deductible? No — tuition paid to private schools, including Catholic schools like NCA, is not federally tax-deductible. However, financial aid, multi-child discounts, and parishioner rates can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost for many families. We encourage families to contact us to discuss what NCA might actually cost for their household.

Q: Does NCA offer payment plans? Yes. Tuition payments are made via automatic withdrawal on a monthly schedule beginning in August. This spreads the cost over the school year rather than requiring a lump-sum payment.

Q: Are there discounts for multiple children? Yes. NCA offers meaningful multi-child discounts. For parishioner families, the cost for a second child is $18,300 (versus $20,400 for two at single-child rates), with further savings for three or four children. Non-parishioner families receive comparable tiered pricing. Parishioner membership at any of our school parishes also qualifies families for the lower K–8 tuition tier. These include Holy Child Jesus; Mary, Mother of God; St. Jerome; St. Gertrude; and [check with Terese on the other one - link these websites].

Q: What are the family service hour requirements? Each NCA family is asked to contribute 20 volunteer service hours per year. These hours support the school community through events, athletics, classroom help, and more. Families unable to complete all 20 hours are charged $30 per unfulfilled hour.

Q: What makes NCA’s academics stand out? NCA is a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School — one of only 50 private schools in the country recognized that year for exemplary academic performance. Our curriculum combines rigorous core instruction with faith-centered inquiry and experiential learning. Highlights include:

• 90% of students (K–8) test proficient or above grade level in reading
• More than 80% test proficient or above in math
• A 1:9 overall student-to-teacher ratio
• 93% of core subject teachers hold a Professional Educator License; more than half hold advanced degrees
• A full-time counselor, academic resource staff, and dedicated Title 1 and IDEA teachers

Q: What is the S.T.A.M.P. program? S.T.A.M.P. stands for Spanish, Technology, Art, Music, and Physical Education. It is a dedicated enrichment curriculum that runs alongside core academics from Preschool through 8th grade. Each subject is taught by a specialist and contributes to well-rounded development — language and brain growth through Spanish and Music, creative expression through Art, physical health and teamwork through PE, and future-ready digital skills through Technology and STEAM. S.T.A.M.P. is one of the things that makes NCA distinctly different from a standard classroom-only model.

Q: What is the Wildcat Workshop? The Wildcat Workshop is NCA’s state-of-the-art hands-on learning space where students engage in STEM challenges, design projects, and creative problem-solving. It supports project-based learning that connects classroom concepts to real-world application.

Q: What high schools do NCA graduates attend? NCA graduates go on to attend a wide range of Chicago’s top high schools, including selective enrollment public schools, Catholic high schools, and independent private schools. Our 8th-grade curriculum is specifically designed to prepare students to succeed in competitive high school admissions. We are happy to share recent placement outcomes with prospective families upon request. The Class of 2026 will be enrolled at Loyola Academy, DePaul College Prep, Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, Jones College Prep, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Lane Technical College Prep High School, Northside College Prep, Lincoln Park High School Arts Program, Senn High School, and others.

Q: How does NCA support students who need extra help? NCA has dedicated support staff including a full-time counselor, a full-time and part-time Title 1 teacher, a part-time Title 1 counselor, and a full-time IDEA teacher. These resources ensure that students who need additional academic or social-emotional support receive individualized attention within our school community.

Q: What enrichment programs and clubs are available? NCA offers a wide range of enrichment activities, including:

• Faith & Leadership: Wildcat Buddies (K–8), Jr. Student Council (Grades 3–5), Student Council (Grades 5–8), Altar Servers (Grades 7–8), and service projects
• STEM: After-School Chess Club and Robotics/AI Club
• Fine Arts: Band Instruction (Grades 4–8), Crafty Hands, and Yearbook (Grades 7–8)
• All-School Events: Weekly Mass, Wildcat Fun Run, Halloween Dance, Las Posadas, Christmas & Spring Concerts, May Crowning, Field Day, and more

Q: Does NCA offer Spanish instruction? Yes. Spanish is part of NCA’s S.T.A.M.P. program and is offered to students from Preschool through 8th grade. Early language instruction supports cognitive development and prepares students for higher-level language study in high school.

Q: What are NCA’s school hours? NCA’s regular school day runs from 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. for all students K–8. Preschool families drop off and pick up 10 minutes earlier. Students are dismissed early at 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday for faculty meetings. Our Extended Care Program is available from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. (morning) and 3:10 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (afternoon) on all regular school days.

Q: Is before- and after-school care available? Yes. NCA’s Extended Care Program (ECP) is available for Early Learning Center students through Grade 8. Morning care runs 6:30–8:00 a.m. with Mrs. Monica Ron, and afternoon care runs 3:10–6:00 p.m with Mr. Bob Dressel. Families can enroll in a monthly plan or use drop-in care at $7/hour. Monthly rates start at $290/month for afternoon-only care for one child.

Q: Is there a school lunch program? Yes. NCA is contracted with Boonli, which delivers hot lunches to our cafeteria. Lunches are available to purchase each month on their website for approximately $5.00 per lunch and $0.50 for extra milk. Families who are eligibile can apply for financial assistance for free or reduced hot lunches. Please email admissions@ncaschools.com for more information.

Q: What is the uniform policy? NCA uniforms can be ordered through Lands' End (School Number: 900144288) and Schoolbelles (Code: S2440), including everyday, gym, and plaid options. Most families start with a few monogrammed polos or white shirts, navy pants/shorts, and 1–2 plaid skirts or jumpers (K–2), along with a sweater or vest. For gym, students typically have a couple of T-shirts, shorts, and sweatpants, with optional layers for colder months. More information can be found in our Back to School section.

Q: Does NCA provide transportation? NCA does not currently operate its own bus service. The school is located at 6216 N. Glenwood Ave. in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood and is accessible via CTA bus and rail routes. Families are responsible for arranging transportation to and from school.

Q: Where is NCA located? Northside Catholic Academy is located at 6216 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago, IL 60660, in the Edgewater neighborhood on Chicago’s North Side. The school is close to the Granville and Thorndale CTA Red Line stops. From Broadway, Devon, or Clark buses, walk to the intersection of Glenwood and Thome.
 

Q: How is faith incorporated into the school day? Faith is woven into daily life at NCA, not confined to a single class. Students attend weekly Mass on Tuesdays at St. Gertrude, participate in the liturgical calendar through events like Living Stations of the Cross, Las Posadas, and May Crowning, and engage in service projects rooted in Catholic social teaching. Religion is a core academic subject, and our school culture — emphasizing kindness, respect, compassion, and service — reflects Gospel values in everyday interactions.

Q: Do non-Catholic students have to participate in religious activities? All students participate in NCA’s school-wide faith life as part of our community — attending Mass, engaging in service, and taking religion as an academic subject. Non-Catholic students are not required to profess beliefs they do not hold; they are graded on learning and engagement, not personal belief. Many non-Catholic families specifically choose NCA because they value the moral framework and community that faith-based education provides.

Q: What is the House System? NCA’s House System brings students of all ages together — from Kindergarten through 8th grade — into four named houses inspired by remarkable figures. Houses participate in monthly activities, mentorship, and friendly competition, building a strong cross-age sense of belonging and school identity.

Q: Is NCA a diverse community? Yes. NCA’s student body reflects the vibrant diversity of Chicago’s North Side. Our community speaks more than 23 languages, and our student population is approximately 56% White, 18% Black, 13% Multi-Racial, 5% Hispanic, and 5% Asian. We are proud to be an inclusive school that welcomes families of all backgrounds and faiths.

Q: What service opportunities do students participate in? Service is central to NCA’s mission of “hands that serve.” Students, teachers, and parent volunteers participate in team-led service projects throughout the year, and the school community collectively logged 7,460 volunteer hours in a recent school year. Middle school students take on independent service projects as part of their faith formation, and all families are asked to contribute 20 service hours annually to the school community.