Nova Center, Inc. was founded in 1980 by a small group of parents with great determination and foresight.
Nova Center's mission is to provide the highest quality educational and habilitative services to individuals with developmental disabilities, including Autism and Asperger's Syndrome.
We believe each individual has the right to reach his or hers highest potential and live and work in the least restrictive environment.
Nova Center provides individualized programs geared to all levels of developmental disabilities with the goal of enabling each participant to lead a richer, more independent and productive life.
Our school age program (5 years through 21) is accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Students from over 16 area school districts are served because their home districts are not able to meet their educational needs.
Nova's small teacher/student ratio and the ability to tailor each educational program enables many students to succeed when more traditional settings have proven unsuccessful.
All teachers are certified and complete a professional training program incorporating intensive behavioral, sensory, communicative, and positive behavior support training.
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Special Education School
- Grades: 2-12
- Enrollment: 39 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Nova Center ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for:
Category
Attribute
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 2-12
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
39 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
78%
State avg.: 21%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
7 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
School Notes
- Nova Center, Inc. was founded in 1980 by a small group of parents with great determination and foresight. Nova Center's mission is to provide the highest quality educational and habilitative services to individuals with developmental disabilities, including Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. We believe each individual has the right to reach his or hers highest potential and live and work in the least restrictive environment. Nova Center provides individualized programs geared to all levels of developmental disabilities with the goal of enabling each participant to lead a richer, more independent and productive life. Our school age program (5 years through 21) is accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students from over 16 area school districts are served because their home districts are not able to meet their educational needs. Nova's small teacher/student ratio and the ability to tailor each educational program enables many students to succeed when more traditional settings have proven unsuccessful. All teachers are certified and complete a professional training program incorporating intensive behavioral, sensory, communicative, and positive behavior support training.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are Nova Center often compared to?
Nova Center is often viewed alongside schools like Rainbow Center For Communicative Disorders by visitors of our site.
When is the application deadline for Nova Center?
The application deadline for Nova Center is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
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