This is what your child will carry with them.
After graduation, your child doesn't just move on to high school—they move forward with curiosity, confidence, and a strong sense of who they are. Our alumni are creative thinkers, compassionate collaborators, and courageous self-advocates. Here's what that looks like in real life.
Intellectually Prepared
They think deeply, speak confidently, and keep asking "What's next?"
NOVA taught me to think critically, be curious, and to love learning. Most of my classes in high school for the first two years were either easier than or repeats of what I had already learned at NOVA. Once I started reaching higher levels of math and science, the principles I learned at NOVA had me fully prepared to learn the new information with confidence.
M. Rosen, Class of 2012
Game Audio Programmer, working on Baldur's Gate 3
Personally Empowered
They know who they are and have the confidence to go after their passions.
NOVA was such an incredible place of growth for me because of the combination of it being very rigorous and pushing me to do my best work, while also being an incredibly supportive and warm community of the most wonderful people. I am still in contact with a lot of my friends at NOVA all these years later, and I feel so grateful for my teachers at NOVA who helped me become the person and singer that I am today. I got my confidence to sing while studying at NOVA and now I’m studying to be a professional singer, and I know my middle school self would be ecstatic!
A. Ruhland, Class of 2017
Currently getting a bachelors in music, specializing in opera, at Mannes School of Music and traveling to Italy to sing the lead role in Alcina by Handel.
Confidently Courageous
They believe in themselves and are ready to pursue unique challenges.
NOVA was really a key place for me at a pivotal time in life. I improved my confidence, met one of my best friends, was able to excel academically. Additionally, I joined the basketball team while at NOVA. I never felt like I was talented in sports, but at NOVA I was given the courage to try even if I didn't think I was good at it. That gave me the confidence to do other sports, which kick-started my career path into physical therapy. I was also able to take swing dance for winter PE while at NOVA and now I do competitive swing dance around the world.
S. Joy White, Class of 2008
Pelvic/Obstetric Physical Therapist
Socially Impactful
They leave with a sense of purpose and a belief in their power to make the world better.
I realize NOVA is a lot of why I love and am successful in my current job. Knowing someone is there for you, no matter how your life is going, can make all the difference. When failures are a part of learning and successes are celebrated, we can grow and thrive in our daily and academic lives. I work to be that person for every one of my students, to show them it's ok to stumble and get back up. Without NOVA, I think I'd be a lot more jaded and have limited myself years ago. I know what I can do, so I push boundaries with looking for jobs and help my students plan for the same in their lives.
L. Schimelfenig, Class of 2007
Coordinator for Federal TRIO program/STEM Student Support Services, Office of Academic Engagement, Washington State University
Creatively Expressive
They are encouraged to explore bold ideas, embrace unique interests, and develop a voice that's all their own.
NOVA let me be myself, encouraged my interest in books and comics regardless of whether they were "for" my age group, allowed and encouraged a variety of interests, helped kids express themselves and also set standards for research. I think all this has allowed me to be a writer. I also think that seeing NOVA teachers interact respectfully with young people while setting limits has informed both my interest in working with young people and how I relate to them as a children's librarian.
H. Schrieve, Class of 2010
Librarian, New York Public Library and published writer
Purposefully Driven
They don't just care deeply—they take action, turning compassion into courage and ideas into impact.
NOVA really emphasized that individuals can make a difference, and I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied unless I feel like I’m doing important work that uses my abilities to benefit others. I’m grateful to NOVA for making me believe that I am capable of making an impact!
M. Maclay, Class of 2015
What is Highly Capable at NOVA?
At NOVA, we believe that test scores and grades are only part of the picture. We know that gifted students also display traits such as creativity, intensity, intuitiveness, heightened self-awareness, impulsivity, enthusiasm, or an elevated sense of justice. That's why we use a whole-student approach in addition to—or instead of—a high test score.
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