Our History
Norfolk Christian was founded in 1952 by the Reverend John Dunlap, pastor of Tabernacle Church of Norfolk, to offer families a place where children would receive an impeccable education that brought the truth of Scripture into every class and mirrored the biblical foundation they received from home and church. At the time, only five Christian schools existed throughout Virginia. Gene Garrick was the original superintendent and worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Dr. Dunlap to create the thriving school Norfolk Christian would become. Their focus was on academic excellence, spiritual formation and Christian service to others, with a heavy emphasis on reaching the ends of the earth for Christ.
Starting as a K-5 Grammar School, NCS grew to encompass all grade levels in two buildings on Thole Street by 1959, and saw its first Class of 10 graduates receive diplomas in June of 1963. In 1982, a small K-3 campus was added in the Hilltop area of Virginia Beach which continues to serve students in PK3 – 5th grade today as our Virginia Beach Lower School.
While Norfolk Christian has added many facilities and programs in the last 69 years, Dr. Dunlap’s vision of a school that taught every subject with a biblical worldview and partnered with Christian parents to raise up Ambassadors for Christ still guides everything we do.
Our Mission
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” II Corinthians 5:20
From that verse, the mission of Norfolk Christian was established:
It is the mission of Norfolk Christian Schools to equip students spiritually, intellectually and physically to love God and to serve Him as Christ’s Ambassadors in the world.
Our Vision
Norfolk Christian Schools partners with Christian families and faculty:
• To provide the educational foundation for lifelong learners through college-preparatory academics taught with a Biblical worldview.
• To foster students’ personal development, beyond the classroom, with excellence in fine arts, athletics, and community service.
• To develop ambassadors with character, confidence, and personal responsibility to be representatives of Christ in the world.
Isn’t it Time to See Norfolk Christian for Yourself?
