Kindergarten through fifth grade are foundational years that set the stage for a lifetime of learning, growth, and faith. The environment in which children learn shapes academic progress, social development, spiritual growth, and so much more. In the Lower School at NLA, each student is known, loved, and valued in a Christ-centered community that nurtures both faith and learning. Through a strong partnership between school and home, everything we do is designed to help students discover, develop, and use their God-given potential.
Known. Loved. Valued.
At NLA, we understand that students are uniquely created with different learning styles. Because our class sizes are kept small, we differentiate learning to meet students where they are. Our intimate classroom environment ensures all students are known, loved, and valued.
Christ-Centered Partnership
Biblical principles are integrated into everything we do, strengthening the partnership between home, church, and school. This unified approach helps students build strong character, grow in their faith, and confidently communicate their beliefs in an ever-changing world.
Community & Belonging
Community is an essential part of the Lower School experience. Through annual events, the buddy program, schoolwide assemblies, and traditions such as Spirit Week, we foster meaningful connections among students, families, and staff, strengthening the partnership between school and home and creating a culture of belonging.
Known. Loved. Valued.
Discover how NLA partners with families to ensure every student is known, loved, and valued. Explore the Christ-centered community that helps students and families build lasting friendships, develop strong character, and grow in their faith.
Lower School Programs
Our school day begins at 8:05 AM and ends at 3:00 PM. We also offer before and after-school care to meet your family’s needs!
Morning Care
(before-school care)
Begins at 7:00 AM
Available at no charge
Academy Adventures
(after-school care)
Runs from 3–5:30 PM
An additional fee applies.
We love the atmosphere and connections we’ve made at New Life Academy. Our expectations have been exceeded. We look forward to growing with NLA and sharing it with others.
WHY NLA LOWER SCHOOL?
Known. Loved. Valued.
When students feel known, loved, and valued, they thrive. That’s why relationships are at the heart of the Lower School experience at New Life Academy. Through small class sizes, caring teachers, and a Christ-centered community, we partner with families to ensure every child is supported, encouraged, and challenged to reach their God-given potential.
Faith Formation
Faith formation is woven into every aspect of the NLA Lower School experience. Through biblical instruction, prayer, chapel, and everyday conversations with teachers, students develop a strong foundation of faith and learn how God’s truth applies to their lives. When school, church, and home align, students are equipped to grow in their relationship with Christ and live out their faith with character and confidence.
Community & Belonging
At NLA’s Lower School, community extends beyond the classroom. Students grow in friendships and confidence, while families find meaningful connections, encouragement, and support within a Christ-centered community. Together, we create an environment where children and parents alike experience a genuine sense of belonging.
A Strong Academic Foundation
Our experienced teachers utilize different learning approaches, such as project-based learning, whole and small group instruction, and hands-on learning, to keep lower school students active and engaged. This approach fosters positive attitudes toward learning and peer collaboration. Each day students explore with their senses, ask questions, and make meaningful connections.
At the Lower School level, core skills are developed in:
Differentiated Reading Instruction
In grades K-5, we utilize a differentiated learning model that promotes gradual reading independence. This model has five areas: read to self, work on writing, read to someone, word work, and listen to a reader. Starting in third grade, we use the Accelerated Reader program to promote reading comprehension and reward students for their progress.
Specialist Classes
Lower school students rotate through five special classes weekly: Art, Music, Spanish, P.E., and Makerspace, with all 5th grade students participating in band. Students also visit our Innovation Center weekly to engage in our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) program, which encourages creativity, collaboration, innovation, and exploration in learning.
Age-Appropriate Technology Use
We believe face-to-face, collaborative learning is more effective in the early years than screen time. However, as students grow and develop, they are equipped with 21st-century skills and guided to use technology as a tool to empower their learning.
Student Support Services
The Lower School Student Support Services team includes intervention specialists, an enrichment teacher, and a school counselor. The team works collaboratively to address the holistic needs of students.
Intervention Services
The Lower School Intervention Specialists work in collaboration with classroom teachers to identify academic needs for students. These academic intervention services are administered within the regular classroom or in a pull-out setting based on the level of need determined.
At NLA, we support most IEPs that are listed as a Federal Setting 1 (meaning they spend the majority of their day in the general education classroom). Upon applying to NLA, IEPs are reviewed on an individual basis. At this time, NLA is unable to accommodate team-taught classes (a Special Education teacher and a General Education teacher), one-to-one paraprofessional support, high behavioral needs, and high social/emotional needs.
Enrichment Program
To complement our core curriculum, the Enrichment program offers pullout classes to high-achieving students in grades 3-5. Students qualify for Enrichment based on high assessment scores, teacher recommendation, and personal motivation. Students engage in project-based critical thinking skills and activities that stimulate creativity, problem solving, and logical reasoning. The curriculum focuses on content “beyond the core curriculum” and applying knowledge in new contexts.
Counseling Services
The School Counselor supports student mental health and wellbeing and encourages, teaches, and coaches students with social skills and self-regulation. The Counselor designs and delivers school counseling that aligns with the beliefs, vision, and mission of the school, and helps students manage the school day, work through personal and interpersonal challenges, and learn to live in community. The Counselor monitors the emotional climate of the school by visiting classrooms, advocating for students, developing programs to improve mental health, character development, responsible citizenship, and personal safety. When necessary, the counselor may also intervene in a disrupted learning environment. The goal of school counseling is to help students feel and do their best at school so they can be optimally engaged in their learning.
Meet a Teacher
Laurie Dahlen
“I absolutely love teaching. Working with students means that every day is a brand-new experience. I love the energy and excitement my students bring to the classroom each day. I am always looking for new ways to make learning exciting and engaging for them. I don’t ever want to be a boring teacher and do things the same way year after year. I want to continue to learn and grow as an educator so that my last year of teaching is my best year.”
See for Yourself!
Discover a community where students are known, loved, and valued in a Christ-centered environment that partners with families every step of the way.