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SCHOOL PROFILE
OVERVIEW
NOVA
is the leading independent day school in Macedonia, offering
a co-educational college preparatory curriculum in English to
students in the ninth through twelfth grade. NOVA High School
is best known for the superb academic program that exposes young
people from all corners of the world to our community of talented
educators. NOVA receives international and foreign national
(US) accreditation from the Northwest Association of Accredited
Schools, and local (Macedonian) accreditation from the Ministry
of Education of the Republic of Macedonia. In addition, NOVA
High School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school offering
the very competitive IB Diploma Programme. NOVA High School
holds the designation of a US State Department Assisted School.
FACILITIES
Located
in a quiet residential area just 3 km (1.5 miles) from the city
center, NOVA's modern campus includes contemporary classrooms
and laboratories, a technology center, art, drama and music
studios, an auditorium, a library, a full-service cafeteria, a
bookstore and a fitness center. The outdoor area encompasses a
green recreational section, an open auditorium for school
performances and an outdoor sports court.
STUDENTS
We
are family to students from 43 nations and many more cultures.
Macedonian students
that comprise the predominant group are as diverse as the Macedonian
nation. They add another level of diversity to
the school’s international focus.
FACULTY
NOVA
students are exposed to qualified and caring educators with vast
cross-cultural experience. NOVA teachers are certified or hold
Masters Degrees in their respective fields. The school
encourages faculty members to see themselves as lifelong
learners and their education as a never-ending learning cycle.
The school leadership assists faculty members with conferences,
seminars, workshops and other professional development
opportunities throughout the academic year.
PHILOSOPHY
OF WORK
We
believe that each student is unique in ability, talent and
learning style. Our goal is to provide a caring environment
marked by high academic and character expectations, wherein the
student is able to work successfully toward his or her
potential. In an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, we help
our students to develop confidence, self-awareness, leadership
skills, master techniques of inquiry and expression, and become
self-directed lifelong learners.
METHODS
AND PROGRAMS
Our
curriculum is designed to be both academically demanding and
personally nurturing. It is our belief that students can become
contributing members in their immediate environment only if
their identity is respected and their role clearly communicated.
Examples of everyday teaching styles include collaborative
learning, class debates, dialogue through written memos, group
and individual research, and field experiences. Our faculty is
creating a positive atmosphere in which learning and personal
growth can thrive.
ADMISSION
NOVA
High School accepts students who exhibit a wide range of
abilities without regard to race, religion, sex,
non-disqualifying handicap, national or ethnic origin. All
new applicants present their unique personality through an
application, submit formal record(s) of prior educational
attainment, and show strong family commitment to the school’s
philosophy and program. Admission is granted based on diagnostic
English language and Math exams and a personal interview.
Letters of recommendation from students’ previous teachers are
considered to be an important part of the application.
THE
SCHOOL DAY
Every
day begins with a 15 minute Homeroom class. The school day lasts
from 8am to 4pm. Periods are 45 minutes long; some courses may be
scheduled in block periods. Sports and extra-curricular activities
are held after 4pm.
SUMMER PROGRAM AND ESL TRACK
NOVA
High School offers an intensive
English language summer program for students who need to develop
their English language proficiency to be considered for admission
for the upcoming academic year. For those qualified students who
fail to enroll in this program, a conditional acceptance into the
regular academic program can be accomplished by enrolling in the
ESL track. This is NOVA’s rigorous program of English Language
designed for the entering freshmen class. Students complete 4
credits of English language during their first year at NOVA and
have graduation requirements suspended for a year until they are
subsequently considered for integration into regular coursework
with their peers.
INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY
NOVA
endeavors to develop curricula around the integration and responsible use of technology.
We make every effort to integrate technology in every
classroom, from science experiments run on computers to video
editing projects and web design electives. We give our students access to a contemporary collection of printed and
online materials located in the school’s library, as well as
access to computer labs located around the campus.
TESTING
SERVICES
The
school acts as a regional testing center for numerous educational
testing services such as the AP,
G-TELP, PSAT, SAT, and TOEFL.
In addition to being extended the convenience of these
services right at our school campus, students are often times
offered elective courses designed to prepare them for these
examinations.
TUITION, FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Students
who attend NOVA pay tuition and fees to cover expenses for classroom
instruction, textbooks, and standardized evaluations (except AP,
PSAT, SAT and TOEFL). Limited financial aid is available every
year to Macedonian citizens who exceed admission requirements
and require financial support. Full academic scholarships for
9th grade students are awarded each year through the
Boris Trajkovski-NOVA scholarship
program.
ACADEMICS
 Academic
progress is a top priority. This is achieved by having a highly
qualified, dedicated staff, and modern, well equipped facilities.
Class size is kept below 24. We aim to create a positive atmosphere
to motivate and support the student's academic and personal growth.
Our diverse
range of courses offer a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum.
All efforts are made to ensure that technology plays an important
part of every student's education.
Internet and
library resources, as well as frequent guest lectures complement
the student's ongoing quest for knowledge.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
TEXTBOOKS:
NOVA High School students are provided with all textbooks required
for their academic course of study. These books are provided in
good condition at the beginning at each academic year or semester
and must be return in a similar condition at the completion of the
course. In the case of lost or stolen books, student will be held
responsible for compensating their replacement as prescribed by
the school.
DRESS:
Although NOVA High School does not have a strict dress code,
students are expected to be neat and clean in appearance each day
at school. Revealing clothing and clothes featuring inappropriate
text or explicit graphics are not allowed. Student arriving to
school dressed inappropriately will be asked to return
home to change.
LUNCH:
The school facility includes a full service cafeteria where
healthy meals and snacks may be purchased at a reasonable cost.
Students are also free to provide their own lunches as well.
TRANSPORTATION:
Parents arrange for their child's transportation to and from
school. NOVA High School is conveniently located near several
public bus routes. Taxis in Skopje are reasonably priced, as well.
For those students wishing to ride bicycles or scooters, the
school provides a secure rack for storage during the day.
OPPORTUNITIES
FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT:
NOVA encourages
extra-curricular involvement by all students. Some of the most
recent opportunities are listed below.
Fine
Arts: Art exhibits, Film/Photography, Chorus, School Performances,
Dance
Clubs:
Creative Arts Club, Community Service, Computer
Club, Junior Achievement, Macedonian Model United Nations, Multicultural Club,
Philosophy Club, Speech/Debate Club, Poetry Club, Student Council
Publications:
School Newspaper, Yearbook
Athletic
Opportunities: Aerobics,
Basketball, Football, Table
Tennis, Volleyball
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