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March 4, 2011 at 4:06 pm #598172
dmcMemberHas anyone in West Seattle sent their child to NOVA? The school options we have in WS don’t seem to be working for our daughter. She was enrolled as WSHS but has had several issues with other kids at the school. We have decided to remove her and try something new. Center School and Sealth aren’t options for us. Because of the nature of the issues our daughter has had the school is willing to work with us on getting her into another school as soon as possible. Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? We are open to it all…
March 4, 2011 at 4:30 pm #719110
PDieterParticipantWondering what makes Center not an option?
What type of school environment/curriculum do you need?
Does your daughter have an IEP?
March 4, 2011 at 5:23 pm #719111
dmcMemberCenter isn’t an option because kids she used to hang out with go there. They have chosen a different path than my daughter has decided to take. It would be hard for her to not hang out with kids she already knows.
At this point, she needs a safe environment that will challenge her academically. She is very self motivated. We were interested in finishing the school year with on-line school but the only options left were not challenging to her at all when we reviewed the course descriptions. And she really wants to go to a physical building.
We aren’t dealing with an IEP situation. We are removing her from WS schools for her own safety.
March 4, 2011 at 5:43 pm #719112
GenHillOneParticipantThe one thing I’ve never quite understood about NOVA – I don’t believe they take attendance. If she’s self-motivated, then NOVA’s structure (or lack of it) may work, but if you want to know she’s where she’s supposed to be – especially if it’s a safety issue – it may not.
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Edit to add: I’m looking for the thread, but someone had a student who was involved in an online program associated with Stanford. It sounded more challenging.
March 4, 2011 at 6:03 pm #719113
PDieterParticipantI might think that just finishing this year at Nova might be a good chance to see if her high self motivation would be a good fit at NOVA. I know a little about the program but not enough to be very helpful. I’m pretty sure though that they are upfront and honest about their program and whether or not it will all fit.
March 4, 2011 at 8:10 pm #719114
dmcMemberThe Stanford program is amazing. And expensive. I haven’t worked for two years (laid off after WaMu imploded) so paying for school just isn’t an option. I REALLY wish it were. We feel rather foolish-why wouldn’t we send our child to the school we can see from our own home? You know? Community and all that?
We are trying to set up a meeting with NOVA right now with the current school administration’s help. I am hopeful we can get something worked out so she doesn’t miss more school.
Thank you both for your input. I am grateful and will pass along to my husband.
March 4, 2011 at 8:25 pm #719115
miwsParticipantI don’t know if it’s whom GHO is referring to, but I believe that WSB’s Co-Publishers’ Son JMoT “went to” an online school for a time.
Perhaps TR and/or Patrick will comment here.
Mike
March 4, 2011 at 8:50 pm #719116
RarelyEverParticipantdmc –
My son is in his second year at NOVA. He attended Madison Middle School before, but I had to take him out and homeschool him for his last year of middle school – he has ADHD and was picked on and bullied severely there.
NOVA has been a godsent for us. My son loves the school (during winter break last week he kept saying he couldn’t wait to go back) because of its inclusive environment – he has never been bullied there, and has in fact commented multiple times on how emphatic and caring other students are, especially to the ones with the most issues.
I love the progressiveness of the school. Class doesn’t start until 8:30am, which is a lot more in line with a teenagers’ internal clock than traditional high schools. There are no bells; students know when to be where. Students from different grade levels are in the same class, which enriches the learning environment because points of view differ. The teachers I’ve spoken with are motivated and caring, open to ideas and not nailed down to traditional learning plans.
I could write a whole essay, but you’ll see for yourself how great NOVA is when you get there. Can’t praise this place enough… I would never send my son anywhere else – if NOVA was closed I’d homeschool him again.
Good luck, and I hope NOVA is the right place for your daughter. It certainly is for my son. :)
March 4, 2011 at 10:59 pm #719117
teachermomMemberCall Mark Perry at Nova (the principal) and go visit the school. I have heard that a few students have left WSHS for Nova over the past few years and seem to be doing amazing things there. It does open up possibilities for students who thrive under the conditions they provide there.
March 5, 2011 at 12:09 am #719118
angelescrestParticipantThoughts and ideas:
1)Definitely follow ideas for Nova above. I’ve had a number of students attend (out of 8th-grade class); they were bright, interesting and creative.
2)Twas I with the daughter at Stanford. What an experience. It was a Stanford curriculum for high school kids, and they had to be in an inter-active class at a certain time. It fit–and fed–that daughter’s needs. Expensive? Private school expensive.
3)Have you considered Vashon? Very supportive community at the school and challenging courses as well. You get used to the “schlep”.
4)You didn’t mention Sealth. I hear great things, though it is another big school.
5)Last on my list: Aviation High. Another school about which I’ve heard positive feedback.
Good luck!
March 5, 2011 at 1:43 pm #719119
yikesMemberHi:
My daughter has had similar problems at WSHS and we formally requested her transfer to Nova at term break. The district sent us through a number of gyrations to ‘apply’ for the transfer and due to a collusion between the principal at WSHS and the totally lazy district people (they refused to meet with us, when we called they didn’t answer, their answering machines were full so we couldn’t leave a message, they would only take our input in writing). The principal at WSHS refused to consider our daughter’s situation ‘urgent’ and so the transfer was denied. NOVA was happy to have her, but WSHS wouldn’t let her go. They have a need to not reduce their census because of money and don’t want to admit to a learning environment that is toxic to some kids.
We have dealt with this in our own way, but just want to let you know that the ultimate in bureaucratic idiocy works here… and their last concern is for the betterment of our kids.
March 6, 2011 at 1:48 am #719120
UrbanFabulousParticipantI graduated from NOVA in 2003 and went on to Seattle U. I would never have graduated if I had stayed where I was, Vashon High School. It was the best thing for me at the time. My parents were against it when I first decided to switch (no attendance, couches, etc…), but they are big NOVA supporters now!!
March 6, 2011 at 6:53 pm #719121
dmcMemberThank you all for the suggestions. We truly appreciate them. Sealth isn’t an option because the same group of kids all run around West Seattle together. Vashon is a potential for next year and possibly Seatlh, if NOVA isn’t a long term option. I have only heard great things about Aviation but I don’t know if it is the right fit for our daughter. She is more artistic and needs a strong base in that regard.
We are hopeful that with the WSHS administrator’s help we will be able to get our daughter into NOVA. I believe the school understands that if they don’t foster the relationship with NOVA on our behalf they will have bigger issues.
@Yikes-I am so sorry your child had such issues and that it was such a struggle. I understand how frustrating that can be. I found that swearing a lot helps. :0)
March 6, 2011 at 8:23 pm #719122
yikesMemberThanks dmc, maybe we will see you at Nova next year!
March 16, 2011 at 4:34 pm #719123
dmcMemberSo I am back with questions about commuting to NOVA. My daughter had her first day yesterday and she is madly in love with the school. My question is how in the heck did your kids get up there from WS? I am not wild about the idea of her transferring down town. We removed her from WS schools for her own safety. Or perhaps I am being an old fashioned mother and need to let go. Did your children drive? Take the bus? Car-pool? Any input would be appreciated.
March 17, 2011 at 12:00 am #719124
RarelyEverParticipantdmc –
My son has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), which stipulates transportation to and from the school. He gets picked up by a car and driver at 7:45am and dropped off around 4pm. I don’t know if only students who have IEPs are eligible for this, but since the driver is coming out to WS anyway (we live on Beach Drive) I don’t see why he couldn’t drive your daughter as well.
Email me at dohertym at gmail dot com, and I’ll check with NOVA and/or the driver to see if this is possible. :)
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