We celebrate every identity.
At NOVA, your child doesn't have to blend in to belong. Here, they're celebrated for exactly who they are—and who they're becoming. Regardless of race, identity, neurotype, or where they fall on the spectrum of self-discovery, this is a place where complexity is embraced and every story matters.
We See You
We see how your child learns differently—and we honor that.
I am so grateful for NOVA. My son started middle school at a public middle school and started sinking immediately. After being accepted to NOVA, we thought things would magically be different, but he had the same struggles. The teachers and support staff were incredibly observant and proactive. Together we tried many strategies, some of which helped and some of which did not. After these attempts, they gently recommended testing, where we learned for the first time he has ADHD. Knowing this has given us more compassion and willingness to experiment with what will work. There is so much amazing interaction with the teachers. I cannot stress how proactive they all are. It makes it feel like we’re on a team – for the success of one child.
J. Wood
Parent, Class of 2021 & 2024
We see your family's values and your culture as part of your child's education.
I believe in and have witnessed NOVA’s ability to create an inclusive and safe environment for children of color. My daughter is a NOVA alum and as a military family, the difficulty for our family has always been the uprooting of life that occurs to so many military families. It was at NOVA that my daughter found her voice within a community.
C. Garcia
Parent, Class of 2020 & 2026
We see brilliance in every form—and we help it shine.
NOVA taught me to be my authentic self, and to not let the conformities of society dictate how I go about my life. It wasn't until I got to NOVA when I felt comfortable in my being, and was accepted and validated for my true identity, and every variation of it.
E. Atha
Student, Class of 2022
We see what who your child is matters as much as what they know.
Middle school can be such an unforgiving and ugly place — and NOVA gave me a safe space where I could nerd out with other creative kids without the judgment or shame I might have received in other school settings.
Katie
Student, Class of 1998
We see your child's whole identity—not just the parts that are easy to label.
My experience at NOVA taught me to be entirely and unapologetically my whole self. As a queer student, NOVA is where I got comfortable with myself and where, for the first time ever, I was open about that part of me to all of my peers. NOVA taught me what true friends are, to appreciate what I have, and to accept myself the way I accept others, and for that I am forever grateful.
S. Nevue-Cushing
Student, Class of 2023
Representation in the Curriculum
Your child will encounter voices that reflect their own experience—and stretch beyond it. From classroom texts to history units to art projects, our curriculum incorporates a wide spectrum of racial, cultural, gender, and neurodiverse identities. Our faculty actively seek materials and perspectives that broaden understanding and build empathy, so students learn to celebrate common ground and difference.
- A reading list that reflects diverse lives and experiences. Novels like Just Mercy, Two Old Women, Refugee, and The Season of Styx Malone open windows into civil rights, cultural heritage, displacement, and identity—all while fostering empathy and reflection.
- Science through an inclusive lens. Across all grades, your child sees the contributions of scientists from underrepresented backgrounds highlighted through readings, research, and inspiring guest speakers, including NOVA alumni pursuing work in virology, pollution research, and wolf ecology.
- Cultural celebrations that foster belonging. From teach-ins for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day that united classrooms in shared activities for the day to Lunar New Year festivities hosted by our own NOVA families sharing their beloved traditions, our community honors identity through shared stories and joyful traditions.
- Visual affirmation in every corner. Photo collages and displays around campus feature changemakers from all walks of life—so students see themselves reflected not just in what they learn, but in the environment in which they learn.
Our Commitment in Action
At NOVA Middle School, a sense of belonging is important in creating a learning community where every member can flourish. Our collective work is centered around dignity, belonging, and justice. We ground our commitments in the integration of joy, curiosity, social-emotional support and development, social responsibility, and the cultivation of lifelong learning. This work is crucial for each individual, and by working together as an institution, we can make a meaningful impact on our community at large.
Celebrating Diversity
Equity as a Foundation
Equity is a pivotal part of our mission. We seek to make NOVA affordable and accessible; a place where every student has what they need to be successful and flourish. We examine and address barriers that may keep our students from attaining their highest potential. We work towards cultural awareness and an understanding of the relationship of privilege to power through school-wide programming, staff professional development, and external engagements, leading to ongoing self-examination, learning, and forward movement. Our approach is not one-size-fits-all; instead, we are committed to fostering an environment where every person has the capacity and resources to thrive.
Building a Welcoming and Inclusive Community
Our goal is to establish a school culture where every student, family, faculty, and staff, regardless of their identity and experience, is authentically welcomed and encouraged. We cultivate this environment where diversity is recognized and celebrated through all-school assemblies, community events, twice-yearly student trips, our advisory program, and so much more. Every student leaves NOVA with a sense of belonging and an understanding of themselves and how they fit into the world around them.
Incorporating Social Justice
Our vision at NOVA is to inspire lifelong learning for a more compassionate, engaged world, and we do that by interweaving social justice into our curriculum. In every grade, students develop an appreciation of the aspects of society that impact our world. By teaching students how to engage deeply and compassionately with issues, we help them to be involved citizens who contribute respectfully in an ever-changing world.
Ongoing Reflection and Action
Our dedication to furthering our understanding and our work around diversity, equity, and inclusion is never done; it is an ongoing path of reflection and growth. We are passionate about reviewing our practices and policies to ensure they match our core values and our responsibilities to equity and justice. This continual analysis of our program, who we serve, and how we serve them empowers us to better meet the needs of our community. True inclusivity requires more than just good intentions; it requires action, accountability, and a willingness to learn and grow.
Nurturing Courageous Conversations
At NOVA, we encourage and support courageous conversations and civil discourse. These are imperative for creating a deeper understanding of cultures, addressing barriers, and combating biases. Our intention is to connect with others empathetically and respectfully, uplifting every voice and experience. We are committed to creating a school culture where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered.
Economic Diversity
Economic diversity in our school reflects the variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and financial situations among students and families. By bringing different perspectives and experiences into the classroom, the NOVA community is enhanced to the benefit of everyone. With approximately 40% of our student body on some form of financial assistance, we strive to offer a NOVA education to highly capable children no matter their financial means. By championing socioeconomic representation, we help ensure that all students have equitable access to a NOVA education.
Our Shared Mission
As one community, we are establishing NOVA Middle School as a place that embodies diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize the importance of articulating our beliefs while acknowledging belief without action is an empty gesture. Our values require us to make intentional choices and take action to nurture an inclusive community throughout all aspects of school life, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, curriculum, and teaching philosophy. This continual process of assessment and reflection helps us recognize and address areas for growth.
We know that this work only succeeds when all members of the NOVA community take responsibility for its success. We are committed to building interpersonal connections, nourishing social responsibility, and supporting the deliberate co-creation of a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and just community. By working together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
The NOVA School believes that every person has the right to educational and workplace surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is the NOVA School Association’s policy that no person will be subjected to unlawful discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. NOVA School’s non-discrimination policy applies to all facets of its administration.
Meet the NOVA School Team
Connection, exploration, and joy are at the heart of our community. Meet the faculty and leadership that support our vision and values.
NOVA Faculty & Leadership
