Teachers here treat students as people, not as a number or a name on an attendance list. Coordinators work with students to keep up on credits and homework, and the community here is incredibly supportive of LGBT kids.

I’m a senior at Nova and I credit this school for building me into a confident learner and speaker. Nova’s unique culture and pedagogy is unlike that of any other high school in the city. Nova teachers cultivate their classrooms as spaces of dialogue where students are encouraged to develop and challenge their perspectives on the world. Nova is the only high school I know of that teaches ethnic studies: a LA Black Studies, a WH Black Studies, Latinx/Chicanx Studies, Korean Studies, and probably more to come.Nova just makes learning exciting! It’s like a college in the way courses are specialized and changing every semester, responding to the current climate and students’ passions. I’ve taken a world history course centered around the impact of pandemics on history and modern politics, a math class where we mastered probability through plotting a (nearly) impossible to win casino, and an algebra class that taught me the practicality of math through everyday economics. Nova is everything but static. If you’re yearning for curriculums that are actually interesting, relevant, and challenge your worldview, Nova is for you. Nova students take charge of their learning and the school’s functioning. For example, I’m one of the many students who are qualified by the district to interview candidates for staff. Nova students lead the conversations around their schools budget, hiring and review process, recruitment, and more. If you’re itching to create change, to actively shape the institution you are a part of, Nova is for you.While Nova is perfect for self-directed young people, the support given to students who need it is genuine. Students have the choice of picking their coordinator who they meet with regularly to stay on track for graduation. If your coordinators style does not suit your needs, you can switch. Some students have two coordinators. Even though Nova is underfunded (it’s the Seattle public school district, after all), staff goes the extra mile in supporting students academically and emotionally (if needed).Yes, this school has its struggles and issues. But overall, my experience has been positive, and what encourages me is that Nova is a dynamic institution that I trust evolves better from its struggles.

I have always loved school. I love learning new things and expanding my horizons. And even though I usually faced bullying at school, I tried to push the hateful comments to the back of mind and learn. But as the years went on it got harder and harder to ignore the hate. By the end of middle school I wasnt very hopeful for my future education career. I went to an open house at my neighborhood high school, but it didnt make excited to learn. And I knew that all the kids who bullied me would be there too. I felt like I was trapped and I was going to be trapped for the next four years.Then my dad recommended that I attend a Nova orientation to see if I wanted to go there. And I resisted at first because I had only heard negative things about the school. That it was for slackers and weird kids. That you couldnt go to college if you went there. But my dad convinced me to see for myself what Nova was like. So I went on an orientation and I was surprised by the passion the students had for their school. They were excited about what they were learning and excited about the contributions they were making to the school. Students were engaged and excited in school. This was something I thought I wouldnt see until I got to college. I knew immediately this was the school for me.When I began attending Nova I took a class on philosophy. The smaller class size made it easier for my teacher to gauge my skills in critical thinking. When it came to write a final essay on a book we read in class, my teacher pushed me to really articulate what I was trying to say. Thats something Ive always struggled with when writing. And he was the first teacher to recognize that and try to help become a better writer.Ive always loved math and science. And I was worried that Nova wouldnt be challenging enough for me. But in my first year I got to take a intro to programming class. I took to it really well. It was a great class, teaching us about logic and how to solve complex problems. That summer I was able to get an internship with the UW School of Oceanography. I used my skills I acquired in school to help program an underwater sensor with just one other student. It was an incredible opportunity to learn and grow, that I would not have gotten without Nova.In my time at Nova Ive also made incredible friends. Theyve been there to help me through some really hard times in the last couple years. Our community at school emphasizes support and compassion. There are a lot of people with strong opinions at Nova (myself included). And one of the most important lessons Ive learned is how to get along with and respect people who I completely disagree with.One of my families biggest fears was that Nova wouldnt prepare me for the real world. But Ive grown so much over the last couple years at Nova. From becoming a more confident writer to learning how to 3D print and code video games. Ive learned how to be a better listener and how to better handle my emotions. Ive watched me and my friends become more compassionate, more responsible young adults. Feeling more prepared for the real world than most other 16-year-olds. Nova has its problems of course, I challenge you to find a part of the world that doesnt. But at my school I have the power to affect change when I think something isnt right. I dont know anyone else who can say that about their high school.Nova has been a transformative experience for me. And I know when its time for me to leave Ill be prepared for whatever comes next.

Im a sophomore at this school, and I have multiple college paths that my counselor has helped me plan. Its helped me figure out which classes to take to help prepare for my future.

Good stuff