Classical education provides a strong foundation in four (4) core subjects: literature, history, science, and mathematics, as well as attention to art and music.

Characteristics of a Classical Approach:

— Teacher-led instruction and high levels of teacher-student engagement. Emphasis is placed on teaching students the timeless skills of logic, critical thinking, and self-expression.

— Classical education is language-focused, different from image-focused, which is commonly used in today’s schools. Learning is accomplished through words—written and spoken—rather than through images. Image-learning is passive, whereas language-learning requires one’s mind to work harder resulting in better understanding and retention.

—— For example, when reading, the brain is forced to translate a symbol (words on a page) into a concept, which requires more mental muscle. Digital images, such as those in videos or on television are less demanding. Students who have mastered the English language—grammar and vocabulary, logical reasoning, and persuasive, eloquent speaking, and writing—have the requisite tools necessary to study and master any subject they choose.

Private tuition (TBD) and philanthropy. Furthermore, by refusing to accept a single taxpayer dollar from the State, allows NCA to maintain independence from intrusive and potentially corrupting government regulations.

Cheryle Rebholz is the Founder and Board of Directors President.

As a lifelong resident of Mequon, parent, business owner, and former school board member, Cheryle saw a steady decline in the educational results of MTSD. Many parents observed the same decline and shared their concerns with Cheryle. To advance the points of view of many families in the district and surrounding districts, she began to explore the idea of starting a public charter school in Mequon that would serve the North Shore communities of Nicolet, Brown Deer, Mequon/Thiensville, Cedarburg and Grafton. A community survey was commissioned, and the results were staggering in support of a tuition-free, public and independent charter school! In April of 2022, Cheryle initiated the Phase I application process through the University of Wisconsin’s Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO). Phase I was approved April 20, 2022.

On November 1st, 2022, (the required due date), NorthShore Classical Academy (with pride!) submitted our Phase II charter school application to the state of Wisconsin Office of Educational Opportunity. They acknowledged that the application had been received, and we would be notified within eight days of their decision. Those eight days came and went. Another 40 plus days went by, and still no response.

Finally, on December 20th, 2022, well after the Wisconsin and national midterm elections, NCA was notified by the Wisconsin Office of Educational Opportunity that our Phase II Application had been denied. At the same time, the Biden Administration's Department of Education also announced that NO FEDERAL GRANT MONEY would be budgeted for the 2023 year for start-up charter schools.

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!

After receiving this disappointing news, I was counseled to take a pause and evaluate all our options to help us persevere and continue in our mission to launch NCA. I was grateful for the deluge of supportive emails and phone calls urging me to stay the course. One supporter in particular, a past public school superintendent, advised that NCA should instead explore becoming a private school, free from government funding, while embracing all other aspects of NCA that had already been designed and developed during the application process. So many people told me the same thing over and over -- "Keep going! What NCA will offer is vital for and currently unavailable to students in our area!"

I took this advice with one modification -- rather than offering K-12, NCA will specialize as a private high school, grades 9-12. Our extensive research reflects strong demand for a unique private high school such as NCSA in the five-county Milwaukee area to serve the needs of K-8 pubic, private, parochial and homeschool student communities.

We are now working diligently with private funders to help make the dream of the North Shore Classical Academy a reality. Please contact NCA if you would like to join us!

Parents want a CHOICE! Public schools are in turmoil, curriculum does not meet the needs of the community, there is a lack of transparency from school boards and parental rights are being ignored. NCA will restore academic achievement and fully engage parents and the community in the operation of the school.

— The focus will be on education and not ideology. NCA will teach how to think and not what to think.

— NCA will expose students to four (4) diverse pathways as a means for students to make more informed career choices: College Preparation, Career Technical Education, Military Leadership and Entrepreneurship.

— The school will provide curriculum in the core subjects of classical literature, history, science, and mathematics within a traditional, teacher-led environment that will challenge students to excel academically, engage their curiosity and develop their character.

— Additional content for students will include rhetoric, Latin, phonics-based reading and instruction, and cursive writing.

— Life skills / soft skills courses will be included in the required curriculum. Some life skills examples will be: “do your own laundry”, “set a cleaning schedule”, “time management starting with getting out of bed on your own”, and “learn to cook for yourself/healthy eating”. Some soft skills examples will be: “develop good communication skills”, “eye contact and body language”, “good grammar and speaking with clarity”, and “do things without being told”.

— Special Education, General Education and Gifted and Talented will all be included. AP classes will not be necessary because NCA curriculum meets and exceeds the benchmarks.

— At NCA, school uniforms will be required to put the focus on education and not peer pressure.

Discipline will be addressed, in part, through continuous education/reinforcement of NCA's 8 pillars of character: courage, honesty, respect, responsibility, perseverance, integrity, cooperation, and citizenship. These are values that, for the most part, are not taught/reinforced in public schools.

NCA will respect parent sovereignty over their child’s education. NCA will also commit to restoring parent engagement and trust. Teamwork will be fostered between the teacher, student and parents for positive outcomes. Having NCA students prepared for school is incumbent on the parents. Instilling mutual communication, manners, discipline, and respect will produce success.

Estimated opening of NCA will be Fall of 2025, grades. 9-12.

Yes, NCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. EIN: 87-4684700

All donations are tax-deductible.

NCA does not believe in the "Expert from Afar Concept", meaning, someone who is 50 miles or more away knows more about what should happen in the classroom than those in the classroom. Educational "consultants" will not have the first or last say in how the school operates. Teacher's experience and opinions will be valued as experts in the field they teach. They will be supported by administrators and parents for the work they do in and out of the classroom. The organizational structure will be team-based.

No. Unlike conventional public schools, private schools do not receive money through local property taxes for facilities or transportation. Parents will be encouraged to form carpools using the Carpool to School App and other creative solutions.