NOVA Middle School is South Sound`s intellectual home for highly capable learners.
With our core values of connection, commitment, intention, and joy, NOVA`s teachers invest in each student`s potential and individuality.
For 30 years, we have fostered the joyful pursuit of intellectual, social, and emotional expansion through a challenging curriculum that nourishes highly capable students to develop identity, self-empowerment, and community.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked WA School
- School Type: School with Special Program Emphasis
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 91 students
- Yearly Tuition: $21,643
- Acceptance rate: 40%
- Average class size: 16 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 28 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Nova Middle School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Washington for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
Year Founded
1992
School Calendar
First Day of School
Mon. Sep 1, 2025
Last Day of School
Mon. May 25, 2026
Student Body
Total Students
91 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
12%
State avg.: 30%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
13 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
50%
Average Class Size
16 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
We want everyone to be themselves
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Feb. 28 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$21,643
Tuition Notes
Tuition is an all inclusive fee that covers textbooks, all field trips, lab supplies, and other incidentals. We offer three payment plans. Financial aid is awarded based on information we receive from FAST and the families. Funds are awarded during the admissions process.
% on Financial Aid
40%
Acceptance Rate
40%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Julie Hankins
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
1 sport
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Adventure Club, Math Counts
Arts and Music Programs:
Art, Band and Choir, Spring Play, Strings Orchestra
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Soccer, Volleyball
Adventure Club, Math Counts
Arts and Music Programs:
Art, Band and Choir, Spring Play, Strings Orchestra
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Soccer, Volleyball
School Notes
"I love NOVA, because it immerses highly
capable,exceptionally motivatedmiddle school students
like my daughter in a challenging, engaging and broad
curriculumwith unique experiences to champion their
development into future leaders, innovators and
philanthropists."-NOVA Class of '15
Parent
Founded as an independent middle school in 1992, NOVA's unique curriculum and personal environment have been positioning highly capable and exceptionally motivated students for life-long success. Now in its third decade, NOVA continues to develop ethical and creative problem solvers who reflect the school`s mission elements of respect, responsibility and active participation by improving the world through their actions, ideas and dedication.
What Makes NOVA Unique
A broad cross-discipline honors education, exposing students to more critical subjects than other middle schools.
Founded as an independent middle school in 1992, NOVA's unique curriculum and personal environment have been positioning highly capable and exceptionally motivated students for life-long success. Now in its third decade, NOVA continues to develop ethical and creative problem solvers who reflect the school`s mission elements of respect, responsibility and active participation by improving the world through their actions, ideas and dedication.
What Makes NOVA Unique
A broad cross-discipline honors education, exposing students to more critical subjects than other middle schools.
- NOVA students find challenge and enjoyment in a full curriculum catered to advanced learners, includingmath,science,language arts,history and geography,foreign language,visual arts,music,athleticsandelectivesoften not available to students participating in other middle school programs for advanced learners.
- Whereas most middle schools no longer even offer foreign languages, visual arts, comprehensive music and inclusive athletics,
- NOVA students learn math, science, language arts, history, geography, foreign language, technology, and many other subjects in ways that not only enable success on standardized tests, but more importantly, create understanding of how principles, equations, data, research, and advanced concepts are applied to find solutions across disciplines.
- Beyond achieving high scores on AP, SAT and other tests, NOVAstudents develop the skills, confidence, responsibility and ethics to position themselves for success wherever they go and whatever they choose to lead, innovate or solve throughout their lives.
- A comprehensiveSocial & Emotional Healthprogram integrates classes and activities to champion compassion, understanding, collaboration and essential life skills to position students for confidence, happiness and success now and in the future with school, work and life.
- Students at NOVA want to be here and are excited to learn, because in this middle school it is cool to be smart, creative, inclusive and to try new subjects and activities.
- This means NOVA`s stellar faculty and its network of the region`s prominent professionals can explore deeper discussions and more complex subject matter.
- Since NOVA`s budget and mission aren`t tied to local, state or political whims, the curriculum is always evolving to stay relevant to students, the times and the necessity to successfully matriculate into any public or private high school environment.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Hal Schrieve - 2010 -
- Madalyn Homan - 2023 -
- Laurel (Olfson-Manning) Schimelfenig - 2007 -
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Nova Middle School cost?
Nova Middle School's tuition is approximately $21,643 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Nova Middle School?
The acceptance rate of Nova Middle School is 40%, which is lower than the national average of 81%. Nova Middle School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Washington with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Nova Middle School?
Nova Middle School famous alumni include: Hal Schrieve - 2010, Madalyn Homan - 2023 and Laurel (Olfson-Manning) Schimelfenig - 2007.
What sports does Nova Middle School offer?
Nova Middle School offers 1 interscholastic sports: Volleyball.
What is Nova Middle School's ranking?
Nova Middle School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Washington for: Lowest average acceptance rates.
When is the application deadline for Nova Middle School?
The application deadline for Nova Middle School is Feb. 28 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 28 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
In what neighborhood is Nova Middle School located?
Nova Middle School is located in the Indian Creek neighborhood of Olympia, WA.
School Reviews
5 4/6/2019
Nova changed my child`s life. I watched my sullen, bored 5th grader come alive again at Nova. It`s not just the incredible academics, but the staff and teachers that make Nova such a special place to be. Kids know it`s a safe place to take academic risks and that allows them to open up in incredible ways. You watch your child grow to new heights and in new ways you were never expecting. Sending my child to Nova was one of the best decisions I have made not only for my child but for our family as well. The Head of School, Barbara, offers amazing parent workshops and brings in lecturers to speak to supporting, loving, and living with your gifted child. It helped us become an even stronger family unit. We miss being at Nova dearly. It was truly a life-changing few years.
5 4/23/2013
My son was just accepted to this school. I am pleased with the staff so far. With him being in the gifted program in elementary school, I am excited for his entire curriculum to be ''gifted'' education. I want to make a note, however, that this school is NOT grades 7-9. It is grades 6-8.
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