Skip To Main Content

 

A school day at NOVA brings together focused learning, creative and physical activity, time with friends, and opportunities to recharge. A clear daily rhythm helps students know what to expect and make the most of their time at school.

 

Starting and Ending the Day

Students may arrive on campus from 7:45 a.m. and should be in their classrooms, ready to begin learning, by 8:00 a.m. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, the school day ends at 2:50 p.m. On Wednesdays, dismissal is at 2:00 p.m., allowing time for faculty professional learning and collaboration.

At the end of the day, students should be picked up promptly unless they are taking part in a supervised after-school activity or the daycare program.

 

Time to Eat, Play, and Recharge

Snack, lunch, and recess are a regular part of the school day, with time set aside according to students’ ages. Students may bring food from home or order meals from the school cafeteria. We encourage families to choose nutritious food that gives children the energy they need for a full day of learning and activity. 

Learning Throughout the Day

Each day includes learning in Literacy, Numeracy, Science, and Social Studies. Throughout the week, students also have Art, Music, Physical Education, Dance, and Macedonian Language.

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) connects these areas of learning within the units of inquiry, helping students see relationships between subjects and use what they learn in different ways.

 
Two young girls read books while lounging on a purple beanbag in front of a bookshelf.

A Safe and Supervised Day

Students remain on campus throughout the school day and are supervised by staff. After dismissal, students who stay at school are either enrolled in an extracurricular activity or the daycare program.

 

EEC Sample Schedule

EEC Daily Rhythm
Doors Open
7:45 a.m.
Classrooms begin by 8:00 a.m.
Dismissal
2:50 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Wednesday Dismissal
2:00 p.m.
For faculty professional learning

The Daily Rhythm

Learning & Routines Active & Outdoor Meals & Rest
8:008:15

Arrival

Routine
8:00 – 8:15 a.m.

Children arrive, settle in, and greet their teachers and friends.

8:158:45

Breakfast

Meal
8:15 – 8:45 a.m.

A shared morning meal to start the day well.

8:459:00

Morning Circle

Routine
8:45 – 9:00 a.m.

The class gathers together to greet the day ahead.

9:009:30

Language & Literacy Development

Learning
9:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Early literacy, vocabulary, and storytelling.

9:3010:00

Math Exploration

Learning
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Hands-on numeracy through play and materials.

10:0010:30

Outdoor Play

Active
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Free movement and play in the fresh air.

10:3011:30

Inquiry Centers

Learning
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Small-group, play-based learning stations across subjects.

11:3012:00

Lunch

Meal
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

A shared midday meal together as a class.

12:001:00

Quiet Time

Rest
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

A restful pause in the middle of the day.

1:001:20

Snack

Meal
1:00 – 1:20 p.m.

An afternoon snack break to refuel.

1:201:50

Inquiry Centers

Learning
1:20 – 1:50 p.m.

A second round of learning centers and small-group work.

1:502:20

Specialty Class

Varies by day
1:50 – 2:20 p.m.

A rotating specialty block: physical education, dance, or a pull-out learning session.

Monday
PE
Tuesday
Dance
Wednesday
PLC
Thursday
PE
Friday
Dance
2:202:50

Outdoor Play

Active
2:20 – 2:50 p.m.

Afternoon play outside before pickup.

This sample rhythm holds Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesdays the school day ends at 2:00 p.m. to allow time for faculty professional learning and collaboration, so the afternoon blocks shift earlier.

ES Sample Schedule

ES Daily Rhythm
Doors Open
7:45 a.m.
Classrooms begin by 8:00 a.m.
Dismissal
2:50 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Wednesday Dismissal
2:00 p.m.
For faculty professional learning

The Daily Rhythm

Learning & Routines Specialist Classes Meals & Rest
8:008:20

DEAR & Morning Meeting

Routine
8:00 – 8:20 a.m.

Drop Everything And Read, followed by the class morning meeting.

8:209:20

Core Class

Learning
8:20 – 9:20 a.m.

Core instruction in literacy, numeracy, science, or social studies.

9:2010:00

Snack & Recess

Meal
9:20 – 10:00 a.m.

A shared snack break and time outdoors.

10:0011:20

Speciality

Specialist
10:00 – 11:20 a.m.

Rotating specialist classes: PE, art, music, and more.

11:2012:20

Core Class

Learning
11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Core instruction continues after specialist classes.

12:201:05

Lunch & Recess

Meal
12:20 – 1:05 p.m.

A shared midday meal and time outdoors.

1:051:10

Transition

Routine
1:05 – 1:10 p.m.

Students settle back in for the afternoon.

1:102:50

Afternoon Block

Varies by day
1:10 – 2:50 p.m.

Specialist classes and core instruction share the afternoon, in an order that shifts by day.

Monday
Speciality → Core Class
Tuesday
Core Class
Wednesday
Core Class → PLC → Core Class
Thursday
Core Class
Friday
Speciality → Core Class
This is a sample day. Specialist rotations and the order of afternoon blocks can vary by class. On Wednesdays the school day ends at 2:00 p.m. to allow time for faculty professional learning and collaboration, so the afternoon schedule shifts earlier.

Elementary School

School Day

Each school day gives children the support and space to think, explore, and grow into capable learners.