Crew: Advisory home-base, the anchor of the NVA school community – 12-14 students with one adult leader

Skills Workshops: Students select skills they want to work on with teacher support, through online instruction, or independently to pass competency exams and prepare for college or career.

Writing Workshop: All students choose a topic related to projects, skills, or interest topic to write about or revise each week, to be given feedback by crew leaders or content teachers and peers.

Project Blocks: Students choose from a selection of projects each quarter that match their interests or help them meet competency requirements. Project Block 1 is for G1 (9th/10th grade) students only.

WBL – Work-Based Learning (Internships): Students are out in community workplaces learning through internships and apprenticeships. Younger students who have not yet found career interests or shown the responsibility to be in workplace settings stay with their crew to engage in fieldwork, community service, career exploration, job shadowing, or other real-world learning, generally off campus.

Early Dismissal: Students without a WBL placement will be dismissed at 1 pm on Wednesdays to continue learning at home. Teachers engage in collaborative planning and professional development during this time block.

Practical Skills: Students learn personal health and wellness, take on more in-depth school-based chores and repairs, and engage in activities to develop the skills they need for adult life.

Pick Me Up: Whole school gatherings and cross-grade crew combinations to build community across the school.

Crew Closeout: Students and staff prepare the building for closing together in crews – cleaning, sweeping, vacuuming, and replenishing basic supplies.

Afterschool Fitness and Arts Options: Students and staff have the choice to stay afterschool to share fitness activities, yoga, basketball, or running, as well as Chorus, Drum Circle, Debate, Robotics and other activities based on student and staff interest, or can participate in afterschool programs with our partner organizations.

School Council: Students and staff can choose to stay after school to contribute to school decision-making.