Average
#1554 of 2,225 schools in WA
Nova High School
High School · Seattle School District No. 1
301 21st Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98122
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seattle
#84 of 89
public schools
Washington high schools
#301 of 476
In district
#98 of 106
Seattle School District No. 1
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Nova High School
Nova High School serves 258 students in grades 9-12 as an alternative high school in Seattle's Capitol Hill area. This highly-rated school has earned recognition as one of Washington's top performers, ranking #115 out of 2,261 schools statewide and placing in the 95th percentile with an impressive 7.9 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school maintains a favorable 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 17 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention than many traditional high schools.
Academically, Nova excels with strong performance across subjects, including 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading. The school's 8.7 out of 10 academic score reflects its commitment to helping students succeed in a non-traditional educational environment. Located on 21st Avenue East, Nova High School sits in the heart of one of Seattle's most vibrant neighborhoods.
The surrounding 98122 ZIP code is home to over 41,000 residents with a median household income of $94,548 and a highly educated population, with 70% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. This educated, urban community provides a rich cultural backdrop for students seeking an alternative path to their high school education.
Score Breakdown
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Nova High School — Students at Nova High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.
How Nova High School Compares
See how Nova High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 14.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 39.7% (2024).
Location
301 21st Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98122
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nova High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garfield High School (rated 6.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY NAMES ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Garfield High School Seattle | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| SEATTLE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seattle | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| SEATTLE GIRLS SCHOOL Seattle | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Seattle World School Seattle | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Washington Middle School Seattle | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Madrona K-5 School Seattle | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Leschi Elementary School Seattle | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| MENACHEM MENDEL SEATTLE CHEDER DAY SCHOOL Seattle | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| ST THERESE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Seattle | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Edmonds S. Meany Middle School Seattle | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| BRIGHT WATER WALDORF SCHOOL Seattle | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| THE VALLEY SCHOOL Seattle | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Interagency Detention School Seattle | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Seattle | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Bailey Gatzert Elementary School Seattle | 0.8 mi | 9.1 |
| EPIPHANY SCHOOL Seattle | 0.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Thurgood Marshall Elementary Seattle | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| HOLY NAMES ACADEMY Seattle | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Seattle | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Seattle | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$106,479
Median Home Value
$929,400
Median Rent
$1,991/mo
Population
42,001
College Educated
71.5%
Homeownership
27.9%
Avg Commute
23.9 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nova High School has a median household income of $106,479. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $929,400, with a median rent of $1,991/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kittitas High School Kittitas, WA | 5.5 |
| Scriber Lake High School Edmonds, WA | 5.5 |
| Choice Middle and High School Shelton, WA | 5.4 |
| Lincoln High School Walla Walla, WA | 5.6 |
| Soap Lake Middle & High School Soap Lake, WA | 5.6 |
| Stem Academy at SVT Spokane Valley, WA | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nova High School
What grades does Nova High School serve?
Nova High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Nova High School?
Nova High School has an enrollment of approximately 258 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nova High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Nova High School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nova High School rank in WA?
Nova High School is ranked #1554 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Nova High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nova High School has a composite rating of 5.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Nova High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nova High School has 18.0% math proficiency and 55.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nova High School a charter school?
No, Nova High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nova High School a Title I school?
No, Nova High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nova High School?
30.6% of students at Nova High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,803/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Seattle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 258
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.6%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 252-3500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Seattle School District No. 1- District Enrollment
- 50,770
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,806
- District Rank
- #98 of 106
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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