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To accommodate both student interests and graduation requirements, Nova offers the standard list of high school courses, but often with an intriguing spin - for example, teaching physical science through art or food, math through Origami, or medieval history through the literature of the time.

Additionally, students often have the flexibility to move in their own directions within a given course. Students are encouraged to pursue the class through their own particular interests and then share those through research, writing, and presentation.

Nova students can also earn credit through independent contracts of their own design, by co-teaching classes at Nova, by taking classes at other schools, or through internships and other programs outside the school.

Competency-based learning

Nova’s teaching and learning system differs from traditional schools in that the student(s) and teacher(s) collaborate to define the student’s specific areas of interest and develop expectations for fulfilling competencies based on those interests. A competency can be defined as a concept, a skill, or any specific knowledge essential for passing a class. Instead of measuring student knowledge on the basis of teacher-assigned tests, homework, and reports, the student and teacher work together to assess mastery so that the credits earned correlate with the student's understanding and application of the key concepts and skills covered in the class.

There is no one standard way to demonstrate a competency; in fact, the central difference from traditional models is that in a competency-based system, each student may demonstrate understanding differently from every other student. In a history class on the sixties and seventies, demonstrating competency might include recording an oral history from an adult who was a young adult then or creating a poster correlating protests and the end of the Vietnam War. Assessment in a Math class might incorporate cooperative group projects, interviews and yes, an occasional quiz.

Earning credit

All classes are offered for credit or partial credit. A standard semester-long class at Nova (as at any Seattle public high school) is valued at 0.5 credits. Nova students take a minimum of five classes, earning the equivalent of 2.5 credits each semester. A student, with coordinator approval, can take additional classes as their schedule allows with class loads varying semester-to-semester.

Students must meet or exceed all competencies at the equivalent of a “B” or above to receive credit. Full credit or partial credit is only given for student work that is the equivalent of a “B” or higher.

Because of the flexibility of Independents, the amount of credit earned varies, but most independents, upon completion of competencies or the predetermined number of logged hours, are valued at 0.5 credits.

Earning honors credit
Students that would like to receive honors credit in a class should speak with the teacher at the beginning of the semester to discuss criteria. Each teacher specifies the criteria for honors credit in his or her class. It could include extra work, and standards for the required work that meet or exceed base competency levels. Honors credit is not offered in all classes.

Students as teachers:  Students can coordinate with staff to co-teach a class.  Working with a teacher in an area that interests them, students develop curriculum, prepare classes, make assignments and assess student work.


Independent contracts

Unique to Nova, students may design their own independent classes together with a Nova teacher, with an organization or person outside the school, or at another high school.  Independent contracts greatly expand the learning horizon; contracts are limited only by student interests. There are two types of independent contracts, those made with Nova teachers and those outside of Nova with other teachers or organizations.

Independent contracts at Nova:  These are the solution for a student who wants to explore with a Nova teacher a subject not being taught - say, collage art, or the study of fresh water kelp.  It can also be the way to get credit for starting a sports team, casting and directing a play, shooting a movie, or participating in peer mediation.  Students can use independent contracts to accommodate their schedule or learning style.

Although students often do most (if not all) of the work for these classes outside the Nova classroom, students work closely with Nova teachers to make sure the work is meaningful, engaging, and meets competency standards.

Independent contracts outside Nova:  With their coordinator, students can develop field contracts to study outside Nova, with contracts approved and credit granted by Nova.

Outside contracts might include:

  • An internship at a museum, a political campaign, or the opera.
  • Taking a class, joining an orchestra, string quartet, jazz combo, or sports team at another school.
  • Attending a class at a community center, private piano lessons, dance, martial arts, or drawing at an outside institution.

How Independent Contracts work

The student and coordinator or teacher discuss and decide the following;

  • Curriculum:   what the student wants to learn and how they will learn it.
  • Goals:             competencies, and how the student will demonstrate completion of the contract.
  • Logistics:       the length of the contract, what kind of credit and how much will be earned.

As the contract proceeds, coordinators check regularly with the student to monitor progress.  When the student has completed all work necessary for credit, three evaluations are required to complete the contract: a student self-evaluation, an evaluation of the teacher by the student, and an evaluation of the student’s work by the Nova teacher or outside resource person.  These evaluations are recorded in the contract and coordinators sign off on the contract’s completion.

It’s worth noting that when a student embarks on an independent contract, he/she is taking on more responsibility than with a class.  Sometimes students are unable to complete these contracts.  This is one way students learn about consequences and responsibility.