NVA students earn credit differently than in traditional high schools, working toward mastery of academic, personal, career, and life skills, as demonstrated in their portfolios, not by just doing “seat time” in classes for a semester (and too often being passed along without actually learning).  Students are more accountable to mastering each “Competency” or skill, but can do it in a variety of ways:  through blended learning, whole class teacher-led learning, internships and apprenticeships, online coursework (though we are NOT a virtual school), afterschool programs, and college coursework for dual credit – earning high school credit and college credit at the same time.  Many students will start in structured class settings and build their capacity for self-directed learning over time. 

Because we are a part of AACPS, we have developed a conversion system so that their portfolio-based Competency scoring earns them credits that look much the same on their external-facing transcripts and transfer to other school districts or other AACPS schools seamlessly.  Our diploma is recognized by AACPS and by colleges and universities just like any other public high school diploma.