Frequently Asked Questions

The first day of school is on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

The day begins with our Opening Ceremony at 8:30 am in the NPC Sanctuary. Parents bring children with them to the Opening Ceremony which lasts about 20 minutes and then walk children to their homerooms. 

All new NPS students are invited to attend New Student Orientation on Friday, August 29 from 8:45 to 9:45 am. While students meet their teachers and other new students in their classrooms, parents will learn what they need to know about the start of school, including drop-off, pick-up and other key routines. 
 

Please arrive by 8:45 am. Upon arrival, we will direct you to your child(ren)'s homeroom.  Parents will proceed to an informational session from 9:00 to 9:45 am. 

Many new students spend a week (or more!) at NPS Summer camp the summer before they begin at NPS. At camp, children may familiarize themselves with the building and any NPS faculty working at camp that summer. If you wonder whether camp would be a good fit for your young child, feel free to direct your questions to Caitlin Webster, Director of Auxiliary Programs, at 202-537-7579 or cwebster@nps-dc.org.

Students in Kindergarten - Grade 6 attend school Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 3:15 pm.

In Pre-Kindergarten 3 and Pre-Kindergarten 4, students attend school per your choice of the following as indicated on your enrollment contracts: mornings only (Pre-Kindergarten 3 only), mornings plus three afternoons, or mornings plus five afternoons. Mornings are 8:30 am to noon. Afternoons end at 3:15 pm.

On certain Fridays, school will dismiss at 12:00 pm to allow for faculty meetings or professional development. When school ends at noon, after care (After 3 Club) will be available from noon until 6:00 pm unless noted on the school calendar.

Students at NPS are expected to dress in clothing and footwear that is neat, tidy, and ready for play and learning. During the school year there are occasions when the Dress Code’s general requirements may be modified. These include events such as School Spirit Days, Free Dress Days, or more formal occasions such as Graduation and will be communicated in advance to families.

In order to adhere to the NPS Dress Code, students in all grades should wear:

• Shirts and tops without any writing, large logos, or tears/rips (i.e. crew necks, collared shirts, blouses, turtlenecks, or sweaters). All tops must provide coverage from shoulders to waist.
• Pants and bottoms without any writing, large logos, or tears/rips (i.e. capris, khakis, skirts, jeans, skorts, shorts, dresses, leggings, or sweatpants/joggers).
• All pant and bottom hemlines must be no higher than mid-thigh.
• Footwear that is not open-toed or open-backed that will be comfortable for active play (i.e. sneakers, flats, or boots).
• Please note: sneakers are required for PE classes and athletic practices.
• Waterproof boots on rainy and snowy days.

Dress Up Attire
Services that take place in the NPC Sanctuary are important ceremonial occasions, and “dress up” attire is requested at all grade levels. Students should wear attire that is neat, clean and appropriate for special occasions in the Church. Chorus and Handbell members follow the chorus dress code for these occasions.

Spirit Day Attire
On School Spirit Days students are encouraged to wear polo shirts, sweatshirts or t-shirts with the school crest or logo, and items in the school colors of red and white. Otherwise, or in addition to spirit items,
Standard School Attire is expected.

Free Dress Attire
There are occasions during the year when the Standard School Attire is relaxed somewhat, and all students are permitted to wear jeans and other more informal articles of clothing (such as athletic clothing). Such clothing still must conform to the school’s guidelines of appropriateness and/or acceptability.

Dress Code Enforcement
Families are expected to ensure their student adheres to the NPS Dress Code. Should a student wear attire outside of Dress Code, teachers will send an email home reminding families of the NPS Dress Code. If the issue persists, the appropriate Division Director will be notified for further communication.

On the first day of school, NPS will provide a school bag to students in Pre-Kindergarten 3, Pre-Kindergarten 4, and Kindergarten. Our youngest NPS students are required to carry these bags as they are the perfect size to transport their work and lunch to and from school. Students in Grade 1 and older may bring their own bags or backpacks, which should have soft sides to fit into lockers.

Students may bring their lunch or participate in the school lunch program.

Lunch brought from home is stored in the student's cubby or locker until lunch time. Refrigeration is not provided for bag lunches.

You have the option to enroll in the lunch program on your enrollment contract. You will have another opportunity to sign up for the program over the summer, with the option to try lunch for the first two weeks of school as a trial period before committing for the entire year.

The school lunch program is a five-day program offered Monday through Friday to all students. There is not a part-time option.

Please note: Pre-Kindergarten 3 and Pre-Kindergarten 4 students departing at noon do not eat lunch at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are the exception to the five day rule and may order for the days they are in attendance for lunch i.e. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  

Every morning from 8:00 – 8:30 am, staff members are posted in front of the school to open car doors and escort children out of the cars. 

After 8:30 am, the school day has officially begun, and staff members will not be present to help students out of their cars. Attendance is taken daily in the classroom, and late arrivals (tardiness) are noted. 

For Pre-Kindergarten 3 and Pre-Kindergarten 4 students who depart at noon, parents and guardians line up in their cars in front of the school with the family’s carpool number displayed in the upper right hand corner of the windshield. A teacher will bring your child/children to the car.

For students who depart at 3:15 pm, you may choose one of the two pick-up options: carpool or walking pickup. See below for more information about these options.

We will mail new families carpool number cards in mid-August. We will also have copies available for you at the New Student Orientation. Throughout the school year additional copies may be obtained by contacting the front desk.

Cars line up in two lines in front of the school displaying the family’s school-issued carpool card on the upper right hand corner of the windshield.

Cars enter campus from Van Ness Street and begin lining up at the Nebraska Avenue entrance. Cars are loaded at the rear entrance to the gym. Once you get to the front of the line, your child will wait at the curb with a staff member, who will help your child get into the car. By 3:15 pm, the car line stretches much of the way around the circular driveway.

Once the line starts moving, it takes no more than 10 to 15 minutes to reach the front of the line. Teachers supervise their students until they are brought to your car. 

For those students who sign up for After School Program classes, there is a carpool pick-up at 4:15 pm that follows a similar procedure. There are fewer cars, so a single line is utilized.

Park your car behind the Church or in the Agencies parking lot, and walk to the main entrance of the school building. Show your school-issued carpool card, greet your child, and walk with him/her back to your car.

For an additional fee, you may escort your child into the school building as early as 7:30 am to participate in our before-care program called Early Birds. Children sign in at the front desk, and the receptionist directs or escorts them to the Early Birds classroom. Students are supervised by a member of the NPS faculty or staff and participate in quiet, age-appropriate activities. Breakfast items are available for those who have not yet eaten.

At 8:00 am, students in Early Birds join the regular arrival procedures.

After school care, or After 3 Club, is available for all students from dismissal until 6:00 pm. You may participate every day, certain days per week, or on a drop-in basis. The school will send detailed information and sign-up instructions over the summer. You may pay for full-time, full-year participation in the After 3 Club via your FACTS payment plan.

Is After 3 Club open on Noon Dismissal days?

Yes, with the exception of days marked as School Closes at Noon (Thanksgiving Service, Christmas Service, Thursday before Spring Break, and Graduation Day), A3C is open until 6:00 pm. Students staying in A3C on Noon Dismissal days should pack a lunch as lunch service is not provided on these days.

Please direct specific questions about After 3 Club to Caitlin Webster, Director of Auxiliary Programs, at 202-537-7579 or cwebster@nps-dc.org.

NPS offers After School Program (ASP) classes to all students from 3:15 - 4:15 pm with a few exceptions. These enrichment offerings are taught by NPS faculty and staff and outside groups with a particular specialty. Classes vary with the seasons and the interests of the NPS community, but may include art, dance, drama, cooking, soccer, flag football, Tae Kwon Do, foreign languages, and math games. ASP is offered in three sessions, and you will have the opportunity to sign up one to two weeks prior to the beginning of each session. Fall Session class information and registration information will be sent over the summer.

Please direct questions about After School Program classes to Caitlin Webster, Director of Auxiliary Programs, at 202-537-7579 or cwebster@nps-dc.org.

Backpack Express: Every Thursday via email, you will receive a weekly newsletter called Backpack Express - or BPX - that includes upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and important news.

NPS App: Go to your Apple or Android app store and search "National Presbyterian School" to download the NPS App, which offers quick links to the most visited sections of the NPS website. 

School Calendar: The calendar on the NPS website is the best source for up-to-the-minute information. To sync the NPS calendar to your mobile device, please follow these instructions.

CardinalNet: On the CardinalNet page, you can access valuable information without a password, including details about the Lunch Program, Health Office Resources, Family Handbook, Parents Association, and Family Resources.

You’ll also find a link to the password-protected Parent Portal (Veracross), where you can access information, such as:

• Student Records
• Student/Family Directory
• Carpool Map
• Single Sign-On to Magnus Accounts for School & Health Form Submission

Please note: New families will be granted access to the Parent Portal in mid to late June, after the current school year has closed and the new school year has been set up in our system.

NPS relies on the generosity of parent volunteers to support the school. Throughout the year, you will hear of many opportunities to volunteer that offer a range of time commitments. Please choose the projects that best fit your schedule. There is no volunteer requirement, but if you are looking for ways to get involved, you won't be disappointed.

Once school starts, the monthly Parents Association meeting is a good place to learn more about your volunteer options. Needs for specific school events are announced in the weekly Backpack Express. In addition, your grade's Room Parents will contact you throughout the year with opportunities to assist within your child’s classroom and beyond.

The week before school starts, you will receive an email with information regarding your child’s classroom placement. Classes are crafted carefully, taking many variables into consideration in order to create the best learning environment possible for all students.

Yes! Please visit the NPS online school store, The Cardinal's Nest.

A number of school logo clothing items Lands' End School Outfitters are available in the school store, and additional items may be ordered directly from Lands' End. Our preferred school number is 900074824. NPS does not have a uniform, but we encourage logo items on School Spirit Days and any day, really!