Our Educational Approach

As an accredited independent school, we don't have to worry about meeting arbitrary Standard of Learning (SOL) levels which many public school teachers consistently argue are not an effective measurement of learning success. Instead of worrying about the right answers, we focus on teaching students to ask the right questions—and to ask often. Our small classes allow for a deeper dive into subjects, individualized lessons, and the flexibility for our teachers to speed up or slow down as needed. Simply put: our teachers teach to mastery, instead of to a test. We've learned that 'good' isn't good enough when it comes to a child's understanding.

This commitment to deep understanding, rather than standardized testing, is fully realized through our instructional approach, which centers on the Harkness Method. It all begins in the classroom, where dynamic discussions around the Harkness table spark curiosity. Our educational approach focuses on empowering students to tackle challenging material and embrace diverse viewpoints with confidence. By ensuring every student is seen, heard, and actively involved, we foster their critical thinking and open-mindedness, equipping them to handle any challenge they encounter.
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What is Harkness?
Developed in the 1930s by philanthropist Edward Harkness in collaboration with Phillips Exeter Academy, the Harkness teaching method is now employed by many of the nation’s leading independent schools.

The oval Harkness tables enable students to sit alongside their teacher and engage in discussions on any subject—be it English, mathematics, history, or a world language. This setup encourages students to share their ideas and opinions, refine them through dialogue with peers, and receive guidance from the teacher. The teacher skillfully steers the conversation, helps clarify arguments, and supports the growth of critical thinking, listening, and speaking skills.

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The Lower School · Pre-Kindergarten–Grade 5

Housed mainly in our original building Ellis Hall which is named for our first teacher, Margaret “Billie” Northcross Ellis, children in the Lower School are encouraged to explore and revel in their own talents, even as they are made increasingly aware of their relationship and responsibility to their peers, their teachers, and their families. To that end, faculty in the Lower School work closely with parents to set appropriate and reasonable expectations and to provide support that fosters excellence, achievement and, at each step—from age 3 through fifth grade—the confidence needed to succeed. ​

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The Junior Kindergarten through Kindergarten classes include a modified Montessori curriculum designed to progress through three levels: Junior Kindergarten (JK3 and JK4) and Kindergarten. The program first develops language, math, social and emotional readiness skills in a nurturing, half-day setting, while in the second year, students begin to develop handwriting, letter recognition and seat work while incorporating literature, dramatic play, arts and crafts, cooking activities, and hands-on science experiments.

​All  students in Junior Kindergarten programs through fifth grade have daily Spanish and P.E., and they rotate through “specials” including Art, Library, and Music during the week. Once in grade school, a more structured curriculum begins to take form in which students' language and math abilities are challenged and developed. For those students who need specialized instruction due to a diagnosed learning disability, the CrossWalk Program is an on-campus, "school within a school" where students meet with specially trained Orton-Gillingham instructors during the school day for remediation instruction. The Singapore Math curriculum focuses on teaching students to visualize quantities and to 'see' numbers as moveable parts within an equation.

Students work in small groups, organized by skill level, in which they rotate through stations of reading, writing and word recognition. As students progress through the fourth and fifth grades, their classes take them beyond their “home room” to specialize study in science, math and social studies, introducing them to what life will look like in Middle School. For specialized information on different levels in the Lower School, click the links below.

EARLY CHILDHOOD/KINDERGARTEN

1st – 3rd GRADES

4th & 5th GRADES

CrossWalk for Learning Differences

after-school enrichment

Victor Lamas
Assistant Head of School, Director of Lower School, Upper School Philosophy Teacher
Washington and Lee University—B.A.
University of Virginia—M.A.
Appointed 1998
​Morris Award 2014
Two-time recipient of The Roanoker's  “Most Inspiring Teacher” Platinum Award (2016, 2017)

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For a complete listing of the courses for each grade, download our Program of Study.

SCHEDULE A VISIT

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The Middle School · Grades 6–8

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With entrance into the sixth grade, students are introduced to more responsibility, more opportunity, and with that, more is required of their time-management skills. Students move into Eaton Hall where they have their own lockers and schedules to keep track of. Eaton Hall is committed to supporting academic, social, and emotional growth at a crucial time in development; and to encouraging interpersonal and academic skills--including developing appropriate boundaries, study skills, personal independence, and leadership skills.

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​Collecting toiletries for a local shelter may be an odd way to foster camaraderie, but the Eaton Hall's intramural advisory teams do just that. Each day, faculty advisors meet with their respective groups to welcome students to school, update them on school matters, or, on a good day, issue an intramural challenge. Groups compete, points are tallied, and privileges are won—such as a cherished Casual Dress Day. Middle schoolers attend dances, participate in team sports (no tryouts required), and audition for the spring musical. At the end of each term, high-achieving students and athletes receive honor certificates and awards in front of their peers during a special assembly. Spectators revel in the sheer number of students who have worked hard enough to earn the honor of walking onto the stage to shake the Head of School’s hand and receive recognition.

GRADES SIX THROUGH EIGHT

Allie Kier
Director of Middle School & Upper School
University of Virginia—B.A.
University of Virginia—M.Ed.
​Appointed 2017
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For a complete listing of the courses for each grade, download our Program of Study.

SCHEDULE A VISIT

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The Upper School · Grades 8–12

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An outstanding faculty, over 80% of whom hold advanced degrees, deliver a demanding, creative, and innovative college preparatory curriculum culminating in college level work in every discipline. Indeed, academic offerings in the Upper School most closely resemble those of a fine liberal arts college: introductory, honors, and 18 Advanced Placement courses are available in English, computer science, math, the sciences, history, the arts, and world and classic languages — Spanish, French, and Latin. Students who have the benefit of a North Cross Upper School education find their advantages to be many when they head off to the finest colleges and universities in the country: their ability to read critically, write thoughtfully, and speak clearly and convincingly make the transition to college life a seamless one.

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Outside of the classroom, the Upper School co-curricular program is a mix of required and optional activities and events, all intended to expand student experience, increase community feeling and identity, and provoke intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth. All students attend Thursday assemblies to which the administration brings speakers, presentations and dialogue that ranges from science discovery to human rights. The Upper School also gathers as community for assemblies in the Commons before lunch for community announcements and advisory lunches where groups discuss a “Quote of the Day” intended to provide thoughtful reinforcement of the School’s mission or commentary on current events. Students are also required to perform at least 12.5 hours of community service per year, but many of them exceed that requirement. On the field, students are required to participate in at least three seasons of team athletics, though most students participate in more—some, in the same season. No try-outs are required, yet our teams consistently place for or win their conference and/or state championship titles. 

Allie Kier
Director of Middle School & Upper School
University of Virginia—B.A.
University of Virginia—M.Ed.
​Appointed 2017

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For a complete listing of the courses for each grade, download our Program of Study.

SCHEDULE A VISIT

DeHart speeches, a series of independent research presentations by each senior class member throughout the year, expose the entire Upper School student body to diverse topics and opinions, much like mini-lectures. By the time a freshman graduates from North Cross, they will have heard over 120 DeHart lectures. Also unique to the Upper School are three graduation distinctions that students can achieve in the field of Global Studies, STEM, and Fine Arts.

GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE

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SCHOOL HOURS
Main Number: 540-989-6641

LOWER SCHOOL
8:15 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.* (Grades JK - 3)
​7:50 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. (Grades 1 - 5)
*Half-day students in the Early Childhood Program are dismissed at 1:00 p.m. and all Lower Schoolers may participate in Extended Day until 6:00 p.m.

MIDDLE SCHOOL
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

UPPER SCHOOL
8:00 a.m. -  3:10 p.m. or 3:20 p.m.