Admission Policies

Parents are advised to carefully read all the shared admission information, including the tuition contract and relevant handbooks. Submitting an application constitutes acceptance of all stated terms and conditions. 

Admission decisions are based on the individual applicant's growth potential in the context of our school's vision, mission, and beliefs, their needs, the general availability of places, and the school's efforts to enroll a diverse student body. NOVA reserves the right to deny admittance to students who do not fulfill the school's requirements, or to those whose assessments indicate a learning need for which the school does not presently have adequate resources.  

The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national or ethnic identity, sexual orientation, or religion.

The language of instruction is English, hence access to the curriculum and academic success is closely linked to the student's English language proficiency. There is no language proficiency admission prerequisite in PreK3 and PreK4. In grades K-5, English language proficiency tests (reading and writing) are administered, however, the results do not affect acceptance but are solely used to determine the needed type of language support. 

As part of the admissions procedure, the school requires applicants in grades 6-12 to sit for an English test (reading and language structure), in order to assess grade-level readiness. The assessment may be necessary prior to acceptance decision issuance, and helpful in the student placement, as well as in assigning additional support.

A quantitative reasoning assessment is requested prior to enrollment and is supportive in terms of the student's placement.

Admission in all cases is contingent upon a determination by an Admissions committee that:

- The school will be able to meet the student’s academic needs;

- The school will be able to support the student’s social and emotional needs;

- The school will be able to meet any special physical and learning needs of the student.

Candidates for the Early Education Center are placed by age. For guidance, please consult the academic year age/grade placement chart below.
Placement in Elementary and Secondary School is determined by evaluating the student’s age, development, and previous school experience. The school principal will make the final decision after review and evaluation of the child’s application. 
It is important that students have completed a full grade level (American system equivalent) before advancing to the next grade level. If a student has not completed a grade level when enrolling at NOVA, he/she will be placed in the same grade level. 

PK3 children are admitted only if they are able to socially interact by displaying age-appropriate independence, and if they have been potty trained.

Elementary School:  Placements are based on the date of birth and the educational experience of the child. There may be good reasons for placement outside these ranges, but it is the general policy of the school not to place any student in an age group that is significantly older or younger than their classmates.

Secondary School: Grade placements are based on receiving an official translation of any previous school records, in conjunction with our school’s achievement and/or language proficiency examinations administered to the student at the time of enrollment. Transfer student information is carefully reviewed to see how programs and courses relate to those offered at Nova.

Systems with different start and end dates: Students are placed in a grade level on a case-by-case basis.

Factors included in all grade PK3- grade 12 placement decisions:  

• age;

• readiness or prior academic performance;

• school recommendations;

• achievement exam scores and language proficiency scores;

• other assessments as deemed necessary, at the principal’s discretion;

• interview with the student.

Students should be no more than eighteen months older or younger than the average age for their grade and less than twenty years of age when they graduate. 

An admissions committee comprised of division admissions officers, division principals, the manager, and the director reviews the completed applications and financial aid information, if applicable, in accordance with the admissions calendar. This committee holds the final decision on acceptance. Any grievances arising from admissions/placement decisions will be referred to the school’s Advisory Board. The director holds the final authority over admissions decisions. 

In the event that there are more applicants than seats available at any grade level, students will be admitted according to the following priority system:

1. Children currently attending NOVA who have indicated that they are returning by the applicable deadline 

2. Children of employees of the US Embassy and all related agencies

3. Children of families who are servicing regular tuition  

4. Children of employees of all other foreign diplomatic missions

5. Children of families with non-resident status in N. Macedonia

6. Siblings of current students and children of NOVA alumni

7. Children of families with Macedonian citizenship 

These categories reflect the school’s support given by stakeholder groups who helped during the founding of the school, who have historically and closely supported the school, and those who have limited school options available for their family members.

In the event that there are no available seats in the given grade, the school can refer the case of the new applicant to the admissions committee, which can further refer the case to the school’s Advisory Board.

In order to maintain the international nature of our schools, we strive that no mother tongue other than English is represented by more than 50 % at the whole-school level. Students belonging to categories 1 through 4 are exempt from this guideline.