About NOVA Grades K-12 Independent Study

The enrollment window is open. Applications will continue to be accepted and placements will be based on availability.

Enrollment for 2022-2023 is still open, enroll today

An innovative independent study option for students to learn in a setting other than the traditional classroom.

Novato’s NOVA Independent Study provides an option for families who are seeking an alternative to traditional school.

We value a future-focused culture fueled by passion, inspiration, personalization and inquiry. We seek to create partnerships and connections to share knowledge, extend our network with our community to explore career pathways and opportunities for life readiness.

Kindergarten through Sixth Grade students will participate in daily, live, online instruction paired with teacher coordinated independent study and individualized support. In addition, students will have opportunities for monthly, in-person STEAM lessons and field trips with peers.

Seventh through Twelfth Grade Students will participate in weekly live instruction and can choose to work in an online or in-person independent study instructional model. High school students who are already enrolled in one of NUSD’s specialized programs will have the opportunity to dual enroll in their school of residence.

Read our mission statement here

NOVA Mission statement

An Innovative Independent Study Opportunity For Grades K-6

  • NUSD Credentialed Teachers for grades K-6
  • Regularly scheduled daily, online, whole class/small group/individual teacher interaction
  • Hands-on activities and lessons
  • Independent online lessons and instruction
  • In-person, monthly STEAM Education
  • Field Trip Opportunities
  • Social-Emotional Learning Supports
  • English Learner Supports
  • Special Education Supports
  • 504 Supports
  • Library access and digital subscriptions

An Innovative Independent Study Opportunity For Grades 7-12

  • Regularly scheduled, weekly in-person or online student/teacher check-in
  • Option to co-enroll with the comprehensive high schools for specialized programs
  • Access to elective courses (online or in-person)
  • Access to participate in athletics/sports (in-person)
  • Access to Associated Student Body activities and events
  • Access to extracurricular activities
  • Access to Career Technical Courses (in-person)
  • Access to Counselors for College and Career Planning
  • A – G courses
  • Courses requiring lab settings (in-person)
  • Social-Emotional Learning Supports
  • English Learner Supports
  • Special Education Supports
  • 504 Supports
  • Library access and digital subscriptions

* ALL in-person classes and activities are subject to the California Department of Health School Re-opening guidance and the NUSD COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The enrollment window for NOVA Independent Study is open for 2022-2023 school year. Enrollment is fluid, however, space is limited; applications will continue to be accepted and placements will be based on availability. Contact [email protected] for information.

Grades 7-12 students will have flexibility in the days and times of the day that they meet weekly with their teacher(s) and support staff, either online or in-person at Hill Education Center. In grades K-6, the students will attend daily, online, whole group, small group, and individual meetings from home provided by a credentialed, multiple-subject teacher. Monthly, in-person STEAM lessons will be offered at Hill Education Center with peers. Additionally, there will be field trip opportunities provided. Curriculum will be delivered both hands-on and digitally. In grades 7-12, there will be independent study courses, as well as the option for classes taken in-person at their high school of residence.

NOVA Independent Study (K-12) will be located and operated at the Hill Education Center. Students in grades 9-12 who attend in-person classes will be dual-enrolled in their designated high school, either San Marin High School or Novato High School.

All students with IEPs will be provided appropriate services according to their support plan. The IEP team will meet to ensure appropriate placement and supports.

NOVA Virtual Independent Study will provide A-G approved coursework in a virtual setting as well as opportunities to dual enroll in special programs and community college courses.

Teachers and staff will work to ensure the community is built between themselves and students, as well as between students and one another. Students in grades K-6 will be able to interact during daily instruction online, monthly in-person STEAM lessons at Hill Education Center, and on field trips. In grades 7-12, students will be able to interact in extracurricular activities, sports, and in-person courses they attend.

Students will have access to a wide variety of A-G courses online. In order to access all specialized courses and programs, students in grades 9-12 will have the option to dual enroll in their high school of residence in order to attend some classes in-person. If a student is accepted into a specialized program within NUSD, that student will have access to these programs.

All students choose to participate in our food and nutrition program, or who qualify for NUSD’s free and reduced breakfast/lunch program will be able to pick up food at the Hill Education Center.

Enrolling in NOVA Independent Study is a year long commitment. If a student decides that the independent study model doesn’t meet their needs, a meeting must be scheduled with the NOVA administrator. If it is determined that in-person instruction would be a better fit, the student will be placed in student’s neighborhood school if space permits. If there is no longer space at the student’s neighborhood school , the student will attend an overflow school in NUSD until space becomes available at the neighborhood school.

In order to transfer into NUSD, an inter-district application packet must be submitted for review. Students must meet all inter-district requirements and will be accepted based on capacity limits.

Click here for inter-district transfer instructions

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