The Nova Project, also known as Nova, is a small public alternative high school in Seattle, Washington, operated by the Seattle Public School District. Its goal is to be a "democratically governed learning community of broadly educated, creative, and independent thinkers who work collaboratively and demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility."
About
Nova was founded by a group of students, parents and teachers in 1970. The curriculum is multidisciplinary and project-oriented, with an emphasis on individualized learning contracts, internships and community service..
The grading system is competency-based and is credit/no credit with 80% mastery required for credit. Each student works with a coordinator to design a personal learning plan. Like other Seattle Public Schools students, Nova students may participate in the Running Start program and take classes at a local community college.
In early summer of 2009, Nova was relocated from the Mann Building to the Meany Middle School site, where it was co-housed with the World School. Nova returned to the newly remodeled Mann Building in 2015.
Notable staff, alumni and former students
- Reiko Aylesworth, actress best known from the TV series 24
- Stephen Funk, the first U.S. military service member to publicly refuse to deploy to the US war in Iraq
- Rose McGowan (also attended Roosevelt High School), actress and singer
- Bonnie McKee, singer and songwriter
- Joe Szwaja, teacher and activist
- Stefan Gruber, animator and performance artist
See also
- Alternative school
- Alternative education
References
External links
- NovaKnows (Nova's student-created website)
- Seattle Public Schools - Nova High School
