Crew: Advisory home-base, the anchor of the NVA school community – 12-15 students with one adult leader.

Skills Workshop Block: Students work on the skills they need with teacher support, through blended learning instruction, in small groups or independently. Focus: Math and Language.

Learning Labs: Math and Language skills work is complemented by “Labs,” weekly interactive classes that build critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. In Math Labs, students model and debate complex, real-world problems. In Language Labs, students practice conversation and presentation skills in the language they are learning. And in Lit Labs, students read and discuss great books that they choose in small book club groups, independently or with adult support.

Community Action Projects (CAPs): Students work in class-sized teams led by a teacher to investigate and design solutions to a real challenge faced by the Annapolis community, from flooding to voting access, gun violence to nuclear energy. Each project engages an expert in the field and culminates with the presentation of a professional-level final product that actually benefits the community. Focus: Science, Social Studies, and Literacy, with arts integration.

Work-Based Learning (WBL): Most students are out in community workplaces learning career, personal, and academic skills through internships or paid apprenticeships on Wednesdays. Younger students who have not yet found career interests or shown the responsibility to be in workplace settings stay with their Crew on Wednesdays until 1 pm to engage in supported fieldwork, community service, career exploration and preparation, job shadowing, or other real-world learning, often off-campus.

Early Dismissal/Accountable Independent Study: Students not yet in a WBL placement are dismissed at 1 pm on Wednesdays to continue learning at home or in the community. They design an independent learning task or project, due upon returning to school on Thursday morning. Teachers engage in collaborative planning and professional development during this Wednesday afternoon time block.

Dual Enrollment/Early College: Our partnership with Anne Arundel Community College allows students to earn college credit while still in high school. We expect every student to take at least one college course, and designed our weekly schedule to align with AACC, so students can take multiple courses per semester, if desired. Most advanced learning is done through dual enrollment rather than AP courses, ensuring that college credit is based on coursework, not on a one-time, high-stakes exam.

Writing Workshop: All students learn to write well at New Village! They choose a topic related to projects, skills, or interest topic to write about or revise each week, and get feedback from Crew Leaders, content teachers, tutors, and peers.

Practical Skills: Students develop the skills they need for adult life – First aid, self-defense, how to buy and maintain a car, how to set up a bank account and pay taxes, sew a button, replace a cracked phone screen, cook a meal…

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 Activities: Students and staff have the option to stay afterschool to pursue fitness activities, yoga, basketball, or running, as well as Chorus, Drum Circle, Debate, Robotics, and other activities, adjusted based on student and staff interest, or can participate in afterschool programs with our partner organizations.

School Council: Students, staff, families, and community partners have the opportunity to contribute to school decision-making in a weekly meeting facilitated by the principal.

G1/G2:  G1 indicates students who have not yet completed Gateway requirements, usually completed by the end of 10th grade – meeting MSDE College and Career Readiness Requirements and some additional NVA requirements. G2 indicates students who have met Gateway requirements and are working toward Graduation requirements, usually 11th and 12th graders.