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#194 of 381 private schools in WA

Nova School

Middle School

2020 22ND AVE SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on WA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

82

Student-Teacher

8.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Olympia

#5 of 7

public schools

Washington middle schools

#7 of 13

About Nova School

NOVA School serves grades 6-8 in Olympia, Washington, providing a middle school experience for 82 students with an exceptionally small student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers an intimate learning environment where students can receive individual attention during these crucial developmental years. The school has earned a solid 7.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #209 out of 381 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 45th percentile among Washington schools.

This regular public school operates within a community that values education, as reflected in the surrounding area's demographics. NOVA School is situated in the 98501 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $92,005 and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 7.5%, with median home values around $457,500, indicating a stable residential community of approximately 46,800 residents.

The school's small size allows for close-knit relationships between students and faculty, creating opportunities for personalized learning approaches that can benefit middle schoolers navigating academic and social transitions. NOVA School operates within Olympia's small city setting, offering students the advantages of both community connection and educational resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 82 students, Nova School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1, Nova School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Nova School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$23,431
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$24,031
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.03x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
95%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.3M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 82 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Nova School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Olympia, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.4:1
This School
vs
14.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
82
This School
vs
406
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.4
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 82.9% vs 0%
Asian 15.9% vs 0%
Black 1.2% vs 0%
Nova School Olympia Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
Nova School (this school) 6.4
Olympia Regional Learning Academy 6.0
Washington Middle School 4.8
Touchstone
Reeves Middle School 5.4
Jefferson Middle School 6.3
Thurgood Marshall Middle School 4.7
Griffin School 7.2
Wa He Lut Indian School 8.1

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in WA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,224
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 29%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 82
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in WA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 82.9%
Asian 15.9%
Black 1.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2020 22ND AVE SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nova School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Reeves Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Washington Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Olympia, see our Olympia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Olympia Regional Learning Academy Olympia 0.6 mi 6.0
OLYMPIA COMMUNITY SCHOOL Olympia 0.5 mi 4.0
Washington Middle School Olympia 0.6 mi 4.8
Pioneer Elementary School Olympia 0.8 mi 6.1
SUNRISE BEACH SCHOOL Olympia 1.0 mi 8.2
Olympia High School Olympia 1.0 mi 4.9
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Olympia 1.0 mi 6.5
Madison Elementary School Olympia 1.2 mi 5.1
McKenny Elementary Olympia 1.1 mi 7.1
Avanti High School Olympia 1.2 mi 7.5
Lincoln Elementary School Olympia 1.2 mi 6.6
Centennial Elementary Olympia 1.8 mi 5.5
Roosevelt Elementary School Olympia 2.0 mi 5.5
CAPITAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Olympia 1.6 mi
Touchstone Olympia 2.4 mi
Reeves Middle School Olympia 2.6 mi 5.4
Michael T Simmons Elementary Tumwater 2.5 mi 6.7
North Thurston High School Lacey 2.5 mi 4.5
Ignite Family Academy Lacey 2.5 mi 5.7
Mountain View Elementary Lacey 2.4 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,695

Median Home Value

$485,200

Median Rent

$1,600/mo

Population

46,937

College Educated

47.7%

Homeownership

60.7%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nova School has a median household income of $95,695. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $485,200, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
CASCADIA SCHOOL Vancouver, WA 6.0
SEATTLE NATIVITY SCHOOL Seattle, WA 6.0
Stella Schola Redmond, WA 6.0
Springdale Middle School Springdale, WA 5.9
Northstar Middle School Kirkland, WA 7.1
Orcas Island Middle School Eastsound, WA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nova School

What grades does Nova School serve?

Nova School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Nova School?

Nova School has an enrollment of approximately 82 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nova School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nova School is 8.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Nova School rank in WA?

Nova School is ranked #194 out of 381 private schools in WA.

What is Nova School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nova School has a composite rating of 6.4 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.

Is Nova School a private school?

Yes, Nova School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Nova School a religious school?

No, Nova School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,014/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Olympia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
82
Gender Split
43% M / 57% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
THURSTON
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

Related reading

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