North Hills Christian School

Back to school will have a different look for students of North Hills Christian School. While students were enjoying their summer break, Central Piedmont Builders was hard at work renovating the high school, transforming it into a collegiate-style environment.

Greeting students will be bright LED lights, classrooms with vaulted ceilings and exposed ductwork. Walls have been removed and replaced with counters where students can gather. Exterior brick walls have been replaced with large panels of glass, opening a view of the surrounding countryside.

In addition to the high school transformation, classrooms have been added to accommodate the growing middle school.

All of this has been done as North Hills strives to provide a transformative, classical Christian education in an environment conducive to learning and personal development. As school gets under way, so will the construction of a high school expansion. This will increase the size of the high school by 40 percent.

The projects are the most visible part of a strategic plan developed by the board of directors a couple of years ago. Maria Lowder, executive director, said the board charged her with executing a phased growth strategy focusing on mind, body and soul as well as improving the facilities and resources to accommodate the growth.

The first phase, construction of the Davis Wing — which included a science lab, art room, band room and two classrooms — was completed three years ago. Phase 2 is under way with the renovation of the high school and construction of the high school expansion.

Future phases will include renovation and expansion of the Helen Kelley Smith gymnasium, including a permanent stage to accommodate the school’s growing fine arts program.

As enrollment continues to increase, the third phase of construction would be expansion of the Davis Wing along Innes Street. This expansion will accommodate the growing lower and middle school classes. Phase 4 will be construction of a two-story high school.

Finally, the strategy includes construction of a dedicated auditorium to accommodate productions, musicals and chapel.

Lowder said the new facilities are not the only thing students can look forward to. The curriculum continues to be fine-tuned to provide the education today’s students require.

“My staff and I have been so excited by the results of end-of-year testing,” Lowder said. “Each year for the past several years, we have seen substantial improvements when we compare ourselves to the national averages. I definitely think we are on the right path. The quality of education, both academically and spiritually, we are providing today, is top notch. We continue to challenge ourselves to make it even better.”

For the 52 years North Hills Christian School has served Salisbury, Rowan County and the surrounding area, back-to-school season has always been exciting, but this year is even more so. As the students take in their new surroundings — the new finishes on the gym floor and the new digital soccer scoreboard — the most exciting part will be the welcoming smiles and hugs of new and familiar teachers.

To learn more about North Hills Christian School, contact Jeannie Ogg, director of recruitment and retention, at 704-636-3005, Ext. 109.