Mission, Vision & History

Northside Christian School first opened its doors on September 7, 1971, welcoming 236 students in grades K-9. In 1975, land was acquired on 62nd Avenue to build a new upper school, which officially opened in 1979. That same year, Northside Christian School achieved a significant milestone by earning accreditation from the Florida Association of Christian Schools.

Throughout the 1970s, extracurricular activities became a vital part of the NCS experience. The Fighting Mustang Band made its debut in marching competition in 1974, and in 1977, the school's first full-scale musical, Camelot, took the stage. Concerts and competitions highlighted a flourishing Fine Arts program, offering Northside families many opportunities to see their children perform. Meanwhile, the school’s athletic teams began competing in various sports, including basketball, football, volleyball, baseball, softball, golf, track, tennis, soccer, cross-country, and cheerleading.

The 1980s marked a period of steady growth, with expanded programs and increasing enrollment. During this decade, the elementary school was established on the 62nd Avenue campus, further unifying the school community.

In the 1990s, Northside achieved another major milestone when the high school earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the entire K-12 program received accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). As the school entered the 2000s, volunteer efforts played a key role in enhancing technology across both campuses. This included installing a dedicated internet connection, launching the school’s first website, and expanding computer lab access.

In 2004, the Kindergarten program relocated to a newly consolidated school campus, followed by the Preschool in 2010. The High School PRAXIS program, designed for students with diverse learning styles, was introduced in 2005. Today, Northside Baptist Church continues to support the school’s leadership, empowering the Head of School to foster growth and innovation in academic and extracurricular programs.