HARDIN, Ky. — Reba Alexander will don her cap and gown and head into the future knowing she’s helped pave the way for other families interested in classical, Christian education in western Kentucky.
Alexander was among the first seven students enrolled when New Covenant Christian Academy opened in 2010. She was a second-grader then. She’s grown up along with the school, which had about 100 students enrolled for 2020-21 and expects about 30 more for 2021-22 from preschool through high school. Students are exposed to a God-centered biblically-based education as the foundation of all truth and knowledge.
“It was definitely a lot quieter at the beginning. There were empty rooms,” she said while reminiscing. “Now there are kids in every classroom. Now you constantly hear noise coming from the classrooms. I want to see the school prosper. It makes me happy to see all the new students. Someone has to go first and be the guinea pig so it can work for others.”
NCCA Head of School Tara Siress said the Alexanders’ commitment to a new school helped shape it.
“Without risk-takers like the Alexander family, NCCA would not be who we are 10 years after opening our doors. There is something courageous about being the first in a ministry. It sets a path for others to follow. To be a risk-taker, allows others to step out in faith,” Siress said.
“Reba has helped to create a growing school simply by allowing God to use her as one of the first students at NCCA. We are grateful and humbled for Reba to be our student.”
From learning Bible basics in elementary school to navigating finances in her foundations math class as a high school senior, Alexander hasn’t wanted to go to school anywhere else. She said her parents gave her the option to attend public school for high school, but she knew she belonged at NCCA, where she knew teachers were helping her grow as a whole person and classmates were on her side.
“I’ve loved it here. I wouldn’t have wanted anything different. I love the structure of the school day, especially praying at the beginning of the day. Being in the Bible every day definitely helped my faith grow. It’s a daily struggle. We say we don’t have time, but we do. Having a devotion every morning helps me start my day. Being around other believers — the other students and the teachers — helped encourage and direct me.”
Alexander has been able to use some of her school hours to work at a couple of local assisted living facilities. Those experiences have helped her decide to pursue a registered nurse career. She’ll start nursing classes at WKCTC in August.
Ethan Harrell officially graduated from NCCA in December 2020, so he and Alexander will be remembered as the first Lions to turn their tassels as high school graduates.
New Covenant is located at 218 College St. in Hardin. Enrollment is still open for the 2021-22 year. More information about the school is available at nccaky.org.
