Middle school isn't just a bridge—it's a launchpad.

6th Grade: Foundations and Firsts

• Your child knows where to find their lockers and where to head for first period when the bell rings on the first day of school thanks to the two-hour New Student Day the day before.
• They search out the faces of classmates they recognize most from the introductory slideshow sent over the summer.
• Play and connection are built into the schedule from day one for the entire first week. All students and faculty come together for team-building. Think name games, downtown scavenger hunts, and cohort bonding across grades.

Building the Tools for Learning

Your child finds support with developing their executive functioning skills.

• They are introduced to their custom-designed planners developed by NOVA faculty and learn how to keep track of assignments and tests and also manage their time like penciling in study time around sports events and music practice.
• They get used to following a schedule, changing classrooms, and navigating lunch and breaks building confidence and consistency through daily routines and structured supports.
• They learn what it means to be dependable and responsible through weekly study skills class and advisory check-ins for homework planning, missing work, and grade checks.

Thinking Bigger (and Sideways)

• Project-based learning gets them thinking in many directions, drawing correlations between varied topics.
• They are given opportunities to express themselves in new and different ways through writing, drawing, and performance.
• They are encouraged to move toward questions over quick answers in preparation for their 7th grade year.

Finding Belonging & Making Connections

• Your child grows self-awareness and learns to navigate friendships and emotional ups and downs with gentle guidance.
• They embrace what it means to be adaptable. Mistakes are expected—and even celebrated—as signs of growth by a team of teachers who truly understand your highly capable child.
• They build relationships across grade levels and begin to bond with those classmates that are their people.

By now, your child knows their way around. They’ve got the hang of lockers and planners, they know which microwave heats up leftovers best, and they’ve got at least one enrichment they absolutely love.

But 7th grade isn’t just a repeat of 6th—this is when your child starts putting all those foundational tools into motion as they step into advanced classes and are integrated with 8th graders. They’re testing boundaries (in a good way), discovering what excites them, and stepping into a new level of independence.

Taking Ownership of their Learning

• Their curiosity is stoked. They begin to shift from “What do I do next?” to asking bigger questions: “How does this connect to the world?” “What do I believe about this?” “Can I try a different approach?”
• They test their ideas, try on leadership roles, and discover what it feels like to take initiative and step into a problem-solving mindset.
• They’re challenged to support their thinking, collaborate with classmates, and listen attentively and constructively to provide feedback to their peers—not just receive it.

Expanding Emotional Awareness and Building Identity

• Your child navigates more complex friend dynamics, becoming more culturally aware. They see a bigger world and start defining how they will move in it.
• They begin to own the process of growing—recognizing their emotional patterns, noticing their strengths, and using tools to manage stress or challenges.
• They are asked to start self-advocating with their teachers and their peers. They learn to express what they need, whether it’s more time, more support, or more challenge.

Exploring Interests and Making an Impact

• Whether it’s leading an assembly as part of Student Council, contributing to the school play, or co-organizing a lunch-time club, they get chances to find and delve into their passions.
• Your child begins to put all the puzzle pieces together—acting on their values, seeing themselves in the world around them, and putting their growing sense of justice and compassion into motion through the 7th grade service projects that they help to identify and plan.
• They start making choices that reflect who they are—selecting a project topic they care deeply about to present as a TedTalk, choosing an enrichment that aligns with a new curiosity, or speaking up about an idea they want to explore further.

8th Grade: Leadership and Launch

This is it—the final NOVA year. It's amazing how far your child has come.

Remember that nervous sixth grader with the backpack falling off one shoulder? Now they’re the one holding the door open, giving directions to classrooms, and making sure the new kids feel seen.

8th grade is about preparing for what comes next, yes—but it’s also about recognizing just how far your child has come.

Taking the Lead

Your child is now the one others look to for direction—and they take that responsibility seriously.

• They arrive a day early at the beginning of the year overnight trip to learn how to guide, support, and lead with empathy throughout the upcoming year.
• Your child manages games and models positive behaviors in PE. Whether organizing teams, resolving peer conflicts, or encouraging others to participate, they’re practicing the kind of thoughtful, inclusive leadership that future employers and teammates value—one that balances fairness, empathy, and confidence.
• Your child grows more confident in sharing their ideas—and in truly hearing others. They learn to express their perspective clearly, ask thoughtful questions, and engage in respectful dialogue, even when opinions differ. It’s a skill that sets them up for success in high school seminars and eventually, the kinds of collaborative environments they'll encounter in college and the workplace.

Owning their Learning

• Your child dives into real-world topics through collaborative, cross-curricular projects—learning how to be a reliable teammate who can contribute meaningfully, manage tasks, and meet deadlines. They develop the kind of initiative and follow-through that group work in high school, internships, and jobs will demand.
• They synthesize their passions, skills, and values into their 8th Grade capstone project—a true “this is who I am and what I care about” moment. Presenting to a crowd of over 100 peers, families, and faculty, they build confidence, public speaking skills, and pride in their ability to communicate ideas with clarity and conviction.
• They reflect on how they learn best and take responsibility for what comes next. Through one-on-one meetings, self-reflection activities, and family conversations, your child steps into self-advocacy—learning to name their needs, identify the environments where they’ll thrive, and make thoughtful decisions about their future. It’s not just about picking a high school—it’s about learning how to choose a path with purpose.

Putting it all Together

By the time your child walks out the doors and through the high-five line on their last day of school they are not just prepared, but empowered.

• They've earned high school credit in Science, Math, and/or Spanish—proof that they're not just ready for high school, they're already moving through it. More importantly, they've learned how to navigate challenging material with persistence, resourcefulness, and a willingness to ask for help when needed.
• They know how to manage complexity, connect ideas across disciplines, and build meaningful relationships along the way. Whether it's seeing the link between a science experiment and environmental justice, or using skills from improv to lead a team project, they think holistically and act collaboratively—just like real-world problem solvers do.
• They’ve become strong advocates—for themselves, for their peers, and for the issues that matter to them. Whether it’s speaking up in a class discussion, supporting a friend, or taking action on a community need, they use their voice thoughtfully and with purpose.
• They know who they are—and they’re proud of it. After three years of growing their confidence, curiosity, and character, your child walks into high school with a clear sense of their values, strengths, and learning style. They’re ready to keep exploring, keep questioning, and keep growing.