Boarding Life at Niagara Christian Collegiate

Grade	Boarding students as a percentage of total enrollment per grade
Niagara Christian Collegiate	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 8	20%	19%
Gr. 9	50%	40%
Gr. 10	50%	48%
Gr. 11	77%	53%
Gr. 12	71%	60%

Grade	Boarding enrollment
Niagara Christian Collegiate	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 8	1	5
Gr. 9	4	26
Gr. 10	9	28
Gr. 11	24	20
Gr. 12	17	11

Entry grade	Number of openings available: Boarding
Niagara Christian Collegiate	Median of all other boarding schools
Gr. 8	3	4
Gr. 9	5	9
Gr. 10	8	8
Gr. 11	14	11
Gr. 12	10	8

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

There is an emphasis on academic excellence and comprehensive development.

Observations from alumni and students reveal that Niagara Christian Collegiate maintains a robust academic environment with high standards, fostering a culture of hard work, academic success, and personal and moral development among students.

I loved my time as a 5 day boarding student at NCC. The teachers actually cared about their students. I loved spending time in the gym and at the snack bar after study hall in the evenings. I enjoyed the setting of the school with it being right on the Niagara River. I loved the friendly staff. My experience at NCC prepared me very well to be successful in university because of the high academic standards. My children actually attended NCC as well and had a wonderful experience, too. Both have gone on to get university degrees and have successful jobs. Students enrolling at NCC should expect an environment where they are loved and encouraged to be successful. They should expect to be accepted for who they are. They should expect the opportunity to be challenged academically, spiritually, and socially.

—Trish Sutherland, alum (1987-1990) (see full review)

NCC helped support its boarding students academically by providing a study hall time in the evenings. It was a supervised time for the younger students while the older students were allowed to work on dorm. The level of expectations academically helped prepare me for life's next steps. I was accustomed to working hard when I left NCC.

—Trish Sutherland, alum (1987-1990) (see full review)

Graduates leave NCC not only with the skills needed for success in higher education and their careers but also with a strong moral foundation and a global perspective. NCC is more than a school; it’s a place where students discover their potential and are empowered to make a positive impact in the world.

—Charlene Lovegrove, parent (beginning 1984) (see full review)

The campus is a captivating and serene setting that enhances student life.

Accounts from students, alumni, and parents describe Niagara Christian Collegiate’s scenic, picturesque location along the Niagara River as a serene retreat that inspires relaxation, outdoor activities, and campus traditions, enhancing the student experience.

A lot of students at NCC would be living in dorms. Get familiar with the dorms, get familiar with dorm staff. If you can, talk to dorm staff, talk to students, and hear what their experience is like. If you have the opportunity to talk to somebody on campus—a student or a teacher—hear what they have to say about the school and ask questions. Enjoy your time while you're there. It's a beautiful place to be. It's a beautiful campus.

—Scott Sutherland, alum (see full interview)

I loved going to school at NCC! NCC has been a huge part of my life. My great-grandfather was one of the ones involved in starting the school. My grandparents both attended NCC and also both worked there. My mom graduated from NCC, I graduated from NCC, both of my children graduated from NCC, and now I teach at NCC! NCC is a second home to me! I loved the friendships I made at NCC, some of which continue to this day. I loved hanging out on dorm on Sunday evenings after everyone got back from the weekend. Also, the setting is beautiful!! The campus is spacious and relaxing. I think that, while I'm sure there were students that struggled, most students were happy at NCC.

—Trish Sutherland, alum (1987-1990) (see full review)

NCC is situated on the Niagara Parkway right beside the Niagara River. You can literally look across the river to the United States. It is only about 25 minutes from Niagara Falls. The setting is absolutely gorgeous! It is also a campus rather than just one building. There is plenty of green space to be enjoyed. This does make it a bit of a secluded location, however, there are plenty of amenities not too far away. Dorm students spent most of the time on campus but could occasionally get off campus as well.

—Trish Sutherland, alum (1987-1990) (see full review)

One of the main attractions of NCC, especially in the spring and summertime, is the tranquillity and atmospheric beauty of the campus. It is close to nature and provides a wonderful environment to hang out and study. If I were asked to give a tour of the school to a group of visitors who have never been here before, I would take them to the chapel first, then walk over to the set of portables so they can take a look at the learning spaces. Dormitories are also a must-see for future students and parents. The rooms are rather spacious in comparison to other boarding schools and the toilets and showers are cleaned daily. There is a gym in both the girls' and boys’ dormitories, as well as a common area called the rec centre that is open to all students. There are video games, a table-tennis table, a pool table, and many more forms of entertainment.

—Valerie Ng, student (beginning 2020) (see full review)

During the course of the day, the students tend to stay on campus as most of us are dorm students so we cannot leave campus unless we sign out. The local students also stay on campus as we are by the border and the next Tim Hortons or Mcdonald's is fifteen minutes away so most people just order food.

—Adriana Isilein, student (beginning 2022) (see full review)

NCC is located on the beautiful Niagara Boulevard in Fort Erie, ON. It offers a safe place for students to enjoy the beauty of the Niagara River with peace and tranquility. NCC would offer bus rides into the town of Fort Erie for boarding students to shop and pick up supplies needed. It was always nice to have the best of both worlds. Peace of the campus and travel to the city life.

—Nathan Winger, alum (1987-1993), Fleet Account Manager (see full review)

NCC’s beautiful campus, located on the scenic Niagara River, provides a serene and inspiring setting for learning. Historical facilities and dedicated staff support various extracurricular opportunities, from competitive sports teams to creative arts programs. Residential life is a cornerstone of the NCC experience, offering students a home away from home on campus with a focus on responsibility and mutual respect. The serene campus environment makes every day feel special. Outdoor activities, such as walking by the water and campus traditions like outdoor sports, connect students deeply to the school’s surroundings. However, my daughter and I also appreciated an escape to the nearby city for a movie or a visit to the mall.

—Charlene Lovegrove, parent (beginning 1984) (see full review)

A vibrant and inclusive community thrives at Niagara Christian Collegiate.

Firsthand impressions from the NCC community highlight a diverse and multicultural environment that celebrates respect, collaboration, and empathy, fostering cross-cultural competence, lifelong friendships, and a supportive partnership between the school and families.

A highlight for me was having the unique opportunity to be a local student and also live in a dorm. That gave me the opportunity to build deep friendships with people I might not have spent time with or crossed paths with.

—Josiah Forde, alum (see full discussion)

When I was a student at NCC, there were probably and hundred and some students. One thing that was amazing about NCC back then and continues to be true today is that there were students from various places around the world. It gave us as students the opportunity to expand our world. I became very good friends with a girl from the Bahamas who went on to be my maid of honour in my wedding and whom I have visited in the Bahamas on more than one occasion. I would say that there was a special bond between some of the dorm students, as they did life together outside of the school day as well. We genuinely had a lot of fun! Because NCC is a Christian school, many of the students there shared my Christian values, which was nice. At NCC, I'm not sure you can really say there is a "typical" student. There was and is such a wide variety of students from different places, socio-economic backgrounds, and life experiences present.

—Trish Sutherland, alum (1987-1990) (see full review)

As a student who lives in residence, NCC certainly felt like a second home to me. Most students are friendly and welcoming and teachers are always happy to answer any questions that you have. Because of such an engaging environment, I found it easy to be fairly active within the school community, having joined the Model United Nations team, girl’s basketball team, girl’s soccer team, track and field team, and cross-country team. As aforementioned, I cannot say with full confidence that everyone is inclusive and supportive of one another, especially given that there is a mix of religious and secular students of different upbringings. But for what it’s worth, NCC is working hard to cultivate a safe space for everyone, and that effort should not be overlooked.

—Valerie Ng, student (beginning 2020) (see full review)

The NCC campus is a vibrant and inclusive community. With students from around the world, it fosters a multicultural environment where diversity is celebrated. This global perspective enriches the educational experience, helping students develop empathy and cross-cultural competence. The school’s strong emphasis on respect and collaboration creates a safe and supportive atmosphere where lifelong friendships are formed. The NCC community actively engages students, parents, and alumni, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. The school emphasizes the importance of parent involvement, recognizing it as a key factor in student success. This collaborative approach strengthens the partnership between the school and families, enhancing the educational experience for students. I appreciated the teacher's and dorm deans' dedication and the school's efforts to maintain open lines of communication.

—Charlene Lovegrove, parent (beginning 1984) (see full review)

NCC emphasizes the importance of community, ensuring students feel supported at every step of their journey. This environment of acceptance and encouragement allows students of all backgrounds to grow in their understanding of themselves and their purpose. True to its Christian foundation, NCC integrates faith into every aspect of the student experience. Chapel services and a values-driven community encourage students to explore their faith and apply spiritual principles in their lives. Many students cherish the chance to meet and have a community with peers from all over the world. The multicultural environment broadens their horizons and allows them to celebrate different traditions and perspectives. My daughter shared, “I loved learning about my friends’ cultures. It made NCC feel like a family as culturally diverse as a mini world.” Residence staff foster a sense of family through inclusivity, regular check-ins, group activities and mentorship.

—Charlene Lovegrove, parent (beginning 1984) (see full review)

Boarding life offers comprehensive support and a nurturing environment.

Student and parent testimonials underscore that boarding life at Niagara Christian Collegiate is enhanced by attentive dorm staff and facilities, providing students with emotional support, well-being, and ample recreational and academic amenities.

When we arrived at the school and spoke to the teachers, I was comforted knowing that our children would be safe. When we first came to bring our children to Fort Erie, the journey made me a bit anxious, as it seemed far from anywhere. But I saw that the environment gives them the opportunity to concentrate on their studies. We were also happy with the way they were looked after in the dorm. Every day, we would ask them, “How are you feeling? Did you eat? Did anyone care about you?” And so on. They were very happy. That really gave us a lot of comfort that they were cared for and eating well.

—Ronald Kayanja, parent (see full interview)

It is a community in the sense that, you know, you're far away from home, but you have people there who care about you and are behind you all the time. They somehow act as parents. For example, if you are not doing really well at school or in a class, not only does the teacher know about that, but the dorm staff will also know.

—Daniel Cattori, alum (see full discussion)

Integrity and values are clearly demonstrated. Being able to build relationships with dorm staff as well as teachers is important, especially for kids living on campus. They can share concerns, seek prayer, or be supported by a circle of care.

—Julie MacGregor, parent (see full discussion)

Many dorm students have the ability to go off campus provided that they have a mode of transport and are back before curfew. During school days students often choose to stay on campus for the whole day, but it is great that we have the option to go out for dinner. This is a very reasonable policy and residence staff take protocols to ensure that students are able to be contacted and are able to get back safely.

—Valerie Ng, student (beginning 2020) (see full review)

I have been at Niagara Christian Collegiate for a year who is also a dorm student and I love it here. I do not think there is anything I would change about the school because the teachers and students are so encouraging and constantly want the best for you. The sports coaches really strive so you can achieve your sports goals. In addition, if you are struggling in a subject the teachers are always willing to help you overcome your challenges because they want the best for you. Also, the guidance counselor is always there to help you know your next step after high school whether you are going to university or college she will always give you great advice on the subjects and courses to take in order for you to get into your desired program in university or college.

—Adriana Isilein, student (beginning 2022) (see full review)

Throughout the school day, students stay on campus. However, students are allowed to leave campus after school with parental permission. There are a lot of protocols put in place to ensure safety such as signing out with a dorm staff and always keeping them updated on where they are going and when they will be coming back. (This applies to dorm students.)

—Gwendolyn Gbadamosi, student (beginning 2021) (see full review)

As a dorm student, I would say the school community feels like home. The dorms look homey and the dorm staff are like parents to the students. The dorms make everyone feel included and appreciated. There are loads of events that appeal to every student both the outgoing and quiet ones. There is a lot of love booming around the school that just makes it feel so much like a home. They appreciate us verbally and through their actions towards us. They always express their appreciation and love for each and every one of us. Personally, the community is one thing I love so much about the school. Because even though we are small in number, the amount of love and acceptance makes up for it.

—Gwendolyn Gbadamosi, student (beginning 2021) (see full review)

Extracurricular opportunities enrich the NCC experience.

Based on student feedback, Niagara Christian Collegiate offers a vast array of extracurricular activities across sports, arts, and academics, allowing students to explore various interests and actively engage in campus life.

It's important to balance grades and life, sports or involvement in school and dorm events, which I strongly encourage.

—Takeshi Yamaguchi, alum (see full interview)

Niagara Christian Collegiate offers a very wide range of extracurricular opportunities in many subjects, from arts and music to sports. These extracurriculars come highly recommended, especially for those students who will live on campus. Many clubs, sports, jobs, and creative opportunities are offered at the beginning, the middle, and the end of the year. Overall, there are very many things to do at NCC.

—Keegan Metcalfe, student (beginning 2019) (see full review)

School life at Niagara Christian Collegiate is filled with many very entertaining and informative events as mentioned previously. There is always something going on that you can be a part of. I think specifically of Advisory, which is a designated period for improving oneself in areas such as time management, procrastination, and other important skills. Events that are more fun include the Arts Cafe, where creative pieces created by art students are displayed and live music is played by our talented music students. In other words, school life is always interesting. There are many things to do and many ways to get involved, especially for the dorm students who live on the campus. A student could become quite busy if he or she wanted to be.

—Keegan Metcalfe, student (beginning 2019) (see full review)

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Boarding Life

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Boarding Population

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ENTRY GRADES FOR BOARDING

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Qualitative insights

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Boarding Life

Page Contents

Facts and analysis

Boarding Population

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

Boarding grades

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

ENTRY GRADES FOR BOARDING

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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