NOVA Alternative School
NOVA has an on-site Alternative School for its adolescent Treatment Group Home residents. NOVA Alternative School has been approved as a Rule 18 Interim Program School by the Nebraska Department of Education since July 14, 2004. NOVA employs a certified school administrator and certified K-12 general education and special education teaching staff to facilitate the education of all students. To allow us to adequately provide individualized education for each student and in compliance with Rule 18, all students enrolled in school at NOVA have an individualized plan for the continuation of their education. This plan is a collaborative effort between the home school district and NOVA and is ultimately approved by the home district.
Curriculum
NovaNET (online curriculum) and North Central Accredited PASS (Portable Assisted Study Sequence) Materials are the primary curricular offerings available through NOVA. NovaNET offers over 200 courses from middle school through adult learning which better allows our education staff to customize programs and meet student learning needs. The PASS Program for junior and senior high students exhibits three virtues: appropriateness, flexibility, and creditability. It allows students to work at an individualized pace and encourages the display of maturity and responsibility via self-motivation, independent study and control of their own accomplishments. NOVA Alternative School has developed site based curricula which promotes social development while furthering the education of our students. Current site-based offerings include Applied Math I, Applied Science I, Contemporary World Issues, General English, Drug Education, Music Chorus, and Lifetime Sports & Teambuilding.
The Home School Liaison at NOVA coordinates with each student's school to determine which courses best fit the needs of the student. If there is opportunity to have students continue the courses already started through their home schools, the Education Staff are happy to accommodate these more individualized needs.
NOVA Alternative School is an Addendum Site for Metro Community College GED testing available to youth and adults at NOVA. However, students under 18 are encouraged to finish high school. NOVA supports the Omaha Public Schools' Drop-Out Prevention and Recovery Initiative and requires parents to sign a notarized waiver for students (up to age 18) to quit school and pursue GED study.
On-going contact between parents and school is very important to the success of all students. Therefore, in addition to being available by phone or e-mail, the first Wednesday of every month, one or more of the NOVA Alternative School teachers schedules to be available before Family Support Group (6:30 - 7 p.m.) to meet and discuss student performance, transition needs, and concerns with parents.
Copyright © 2009
NOVA Therapeutic Community, Inc.
