Natomas Charter School Originally approved by the Natomas Unified School District Board of Trustees in the spring of 1993, Natomas Charter School (NCS) is the 19th charter to be numbered in the state of California. NCS was a school created from “the ground up” to serve a diverse number of students in the Natomas Unified School District and the surrounding Sacramento area. Today, Natomas Charter School is considered one of the most reputable public charter schools in California and has distinguished itself both at the state and national levels and ranks among the top 10% of schools in California on the state’s Academic Performance Index (API).
NCS is currently comprised of five academies: 1) The 6th-8th grade Leading Edge (LE) Academy focused on technology, community involvement and thematic/project-based learning. 2) The K-8th grade "Pursuing Academic Choices Together" (PACT) Academy, a “hybrid” program that supports homeschool parents with a credentialed teacher and provides standards-based curriculum/guidelines, classes/workshops, fieldtrips and a classical education pathway. 3) The 6th-12th grade Performing and Fine Arts (PFAA) Academy, which offers a college-preparatory curriculum along with intensive arts training for all students enrolled. 4) The 9th-12th grade Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) combining an on-line, college preparatory course of study with interactive workshops and tutoring support. 5) The TK-5th grade Star Academy, a primary and intermediate grade program emphasizing critical thinking and creativity in math, science, literacy, and second-language enrichment with content-area specialists.
Although each academy is unique and innovative in its own way, all of Natomas Charter School’s programs follow the same mission and philosophy outlined in the school’s enabling charter: Teaching core knowledge, effective communication, problem solving, and academic and social skills requires "real-life" situations or contexts in which to learn them. Instructional practices emphasize active learning strategies, which are consistent with the goals of the core curriculum and the developmental characteristics of all students.
Natomas Charter School Among several other awards and distinctions, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) awarded Natomas Charter School the highest term of accreditation (Six Years without a Review) in 2002, 2008 and in 2014. In 2004-2005, NCS was one of five schools selected nationally as a National School of Distinction by the Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington D.C. for its high standards in both academics and the visual and performing arts. In 2006, Natomas Charter School was given the distinguished honor of Charter School of the Year at the California and National Charter Schools Conference for its commitment to innovation, choice and student achievement. In 2007 and in 2013, NCS was named a California Distinguished School. In 2014, Natomas Charter School received a California Civics Learning Award of Merit. NCS also became a Confucius Classroom through the Confucius Institute at San Francisco State University in 2014.
NATOMAS CHARTER ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS
• Bronze Award (Top 10% of High Schools in the Nation), US News and World Report
• Region's 25 Smartest High Schools (NCS ranked #16 based on SATs), Sacramento Business Journal
• Top 10 High Schools in Sacramento, Sacramento Magazine
• California Academic Performance Index Rankings of 10 (statewide) and 10 (similar schools) – top 10% of high schools in California.
• 97% Acceptance Rate to four-year universities
• 90% Acceptance Rate to University of California
• California Charter School of the Year 2006
• California Distinguished School 2007 and 2013
• California Exemplary Arts Award 2013
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accreditation Highest Terms 2002, 2008, 2014
• Civics Learning Award of Merit 2014
• Confucius Classroom 2014
• 2014 Niche Ranking: Top 10 Public High Schools in the Region/Top 100 Public High Schools in the California
• California Gold Ribbon School 2015
• Region's #1 Ranked High School, Sacramento Business Journal
• California Honor Roll School