The Herald
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS
April 16, 2026
Dear Nova Classical Families,
With April underway, here are a few important updates for our school community.
Monday, April 20, through Monday, April 27, students in grades 6-11 will begin the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA). Students in the School of Logic (SoL) will take Reading and Math assessments, and eighth graders will also complete the Science assessment. In the School of Rhetoric (SoR), students enrolled in Intro to Biology will take the Science assessment, tenth graders will complete the Reading assessment, and eleventh graders will complete the Math assessment. These assessments provide valuable insight into student progress and help us identify areas where additional support may be needed. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring your child gets plenty of rest, arrives on time, and has a healthy breakfast on testing days.
We are also looking forward to our annual Family Multicultural Night on Thursday, April 16, from 5:30-7:30 PM. This event is always a highlight of the year as we come together to celebrate the many cultures, traditions, and stories that enrich our school community. We hope your family can join us for an evening of food, performances, and activities that honor the diversity of our students and families. Please use this link to RSVP. Please note that this event is open to members of the Nova Classical community and their immediate families. To help ensure a safe and welcoming environment, all attendees must RSVP in advance for entry.
Please review this month's Herald for information on upcoming events and school updates. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Warmest regards,
Mrs. Paschall
Important Dates:
- Thursday, April 16: Multicultural Night, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
- Visit this link to RSVP
- Friday, April 17: No School (Staff Work Day)
- Monday, April 20 - Monday April 27: MCA Testing
- Friday, May 1: No School (Professional Development Day for Staff)
- Saturday, May 2: Junior/Senior Prom
- Friday, May 15: Boosterthon and SoL Color Run
- Wednesday, May 20, SoR Choir Concert
- Friday, May 22: No School (Staff Work Day)
- Friday, May 22 & Saturday, May 23: Drama Performances of Antigone
- Monday, May 25: No School (Memorial Day)
- Sunday, May 31: SoR Graduation
- Tuesday, June 2: 8th Grade Promotion
- Wednesday, June 3: Last Day of School
We are honored to celebrate our students for their achievements!
March Students of the Month
March Students of the Month were selected by their teachers for demonstrating excellence in fortitude. Congratulations to Louisa Taylor (7), Otis Gerber (8), and Lincoln Latsamout (8). We applaud your fortitude!
Mock Trial Awards
Congratulations to seniors Lila McNellis and Harper Drake on receiving the inaugural Mock Trial Anya Magnuson (’16) Award. This honor recognizes their outstanding mentorship and dedication to the team.
Students of the Month
MCA Testing-Upper School: April 20-27
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) annually administers statewide assessments. They are designed to provide the state, districts, and schools with a snapshot of student progress towards meeting the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards. At Nova Classical Academy, we will have MCA testing in the Upper School (grades 6-11) April 20-24 and April 27. If you have any questions about the MCAs, please contact our Academic Director, Dr. Johnson.
- MDE has a site to promote student readiness for the MCAs if you'd like to take a look with your student prior to testing.
- Please make sure that your student has plenty of sleep and eats a nutritious breakfast each morning. We are so excited to see how our students continue to grow in their academics!
Spring Boosterthon Fundraiser
Get ready — our Spring Boosterthon Fundraiser is almost here! This year, we’re aiming to raise $60,000 schoolwide to help sustain the strong, enriching programs that make our school such a special place for every student. From classroom experiences to extracurricular opportunities, these funds play an important role in supporting the full scope of what we offer and we’re counting on our community to help us reach this goal.
Upcoming Dates:
- April 23: Boosterthon website opens for family signups
- May 7: Official kickoff
- May 15: Celebration Day & SoL Color Run
This year’s theme is Star Quest 5: Space is the Place of Discovery! Students will enjoy exciting incentives along the way, all leading up to a Color Run for our School of Logic, a joyful celebration of our community and all we make possible, together.
Spirit Wear Days
Please mark your calendar for the 2025-26 Upper School Spirit Wear Days!
- Tuesday, May 26, SoL Spirit Wear Day
- Wednesday, May 27, SoL Spirit Wear Day
To show their school pride, Upper School students are invited to wear Nova Classical Spirit Wear with uniform bottoms or jeans. Ripped/torn clothing is not allowed. Out of uniform guidelines can be found on our school website. Students who choose not participate are to be in uniform.
Upper School Fun Sock Fridays
It has been fun to see our scholars embracing a new Nova tradition--Fun Sock Fridays! Upper School students and staff are invited to wear socks with patterns or fun colors every Friday. Show off your style and join in the fun as we celebrate this colorful tradition.
Upper School Yearbook Orders
Guarantee a 6th-12th grade yearbook for your student. Place your order now!
The order link will remain open until May 22, or until yearbooks sell out.
Not sure if you already placed an order? Please contact Mrs. Tetmeyer at yearbook@novaclassical.org.
8th Grade Promotion – Tuesday, June 2
Nova Classical Academy will celebrate our 8th grade students as they move from the School of Logic onto the School of Rhetoric. Their Promotion ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 2, at 6:00 PM. Students should arrive promptly at 5:30 PM.
Juniors and Seniors, Save the date for Prom 2026!
Date: Saturday, May 2
Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102
Time: 7:30 PM-10:00 PM. Doors close at 8:30 PM
- Tickets and discounted parking passes for the attached garage can be purchased on Nova's Ticket Page or will be sold during lunch (dates will be announced soon).
- Bringing a high school student from another school? Student guest permission forms are due to Mr. Heidemann at the end of the day on Tuesday, April 28.
SoR Ascot
Ascot is scheduled for May 21 for SoR students! Students are invited to wear their best garden party attire for a day of games, food, and fun! Please remember that out-of-uniform dress guidelines will still be in effect and respectfully enforced. Students may partake in a food truck or bring a picnic basket. Our regular school lunch will be available for all students.
SoL Black and White Dance
The Ridwell recycling drive is returning to Nova! Last year, Ridwell gave our school the opportunity to host a plastic film drive, and it was a great success! Ridwell is a plastic recycling company that is able to help us responsibly recycle plastic film. From March 2, to April 27, we welcome all Nova scholars to bring in plastic film and recycle them in our 'plastic film collection' boxes.
Additionally, in the case that 10 families sign up for a personal Ridwell subscription. Nova will receive free plastic film collection for the entire 2026-7 school year. Please consider helping this cause to make our school more sustainable! - Nova Green Team
Homework Club
Homework Club is offered for Upper School students on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00–5:00 PM, led by an Upper School Teacher and Educational Assistant. There is no fee for this academic support program.
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Students should arrive by 4:00 PM, and be picked up promptly at 5:00 PM.
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Supervision is not available for SoG siblings; please consider registering for Scholar Zone if needed.
Although students are not required to attend every session in order to participate, this is a great way for students to receive extra support and stay on top of their school work! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Paschall.
Summer Scholar Zone Registration
Ivy Camps is BACK!
We’re excited to announce that Summer Scholar Zone registration is now open — and even more excited to share that we’ve secured Ivy Camps once again, bringing back our favorite programs from last summer along with brand-new offerings your students will love!
- Summer Scholar Zone is available to current Rising 1st–7th grade students. Please note that we are unable to accept incoming kindergarten students or students who did not attend Nova Classical Academy during the 2025–26 school year.
- Families can register and manage payments online at novaclassical.revtrak.net. We encourage you to select your desired days of care as soon as possible, as spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and some days may fill quickly. All registrations must be completed by May 26, 2026.
- A $50 non-refundable registration fee per student is required and does not apply toward session fees. Day fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Enrollment in the regular before- and/or after-school Scholar Zone program is not required to participate in Summer Scholar Zone.
Enrollment Options:
Daily Rate (1–3 sessions per week): $70/day
4 sessions per week: $65/day
5 sessions per week: $60/day
We can’t wait to welcome your students for another fun-filled, enriching summer with Scholar Zone and Ivy Camps!
Summer is just around the corner! Registration for summer activities is open on the Extracurriculars page of the Nova website.
Strength and Conditioning - Begins June 9, 2026
High School Session - Rising 9-12, Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30-8:30 AM
Middle School Session - Rising 6-8, Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30-9:30 AM
Summer Volleyball - Begins June 9, 2026
Rising 7-12, Tuesdays, 5:00-7:00 PM
Session One: Rising 4-7, July 13-16, 1:00-3:30 PM
Session Two: Rising 4-7, July 20-23, 1:00-3:30 PM
Rising 3-6, June 22-26, 9:00-11:00 AM
Save the Date for Upper School Drama's performance of Antigone
When: May 22 & 23, 2026
Where: Park Square Theater in St. Paul
Volunteers Needed
Check out the open positions, here. Short term, long term, and one time commitment opportunities are available.
2026 Teacher/Staff Appreciation
Nova PTO will show our appreciation and gratitude towards the teachers and staff May 4-9, 2026. We are accepting monetary donations here to help with the costs of the festivities.
Upcoming Gatherings & Events
Thursday, 4/30: Kindergarten Movie Night–Click here for tickets
Friday, 5/1: Super Nova Music and Film Festival–Click here for tickets
Monday-Friday, 5/4-5/9: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
Nova PTO has established the Community Support Fund to raise separate funds to support members of our community in need. Click here to donate.
Find Gatherings Tickets, connect to the Family Directory, and get involved at novapto.org
Volunteers - We Need You!
Volunteers - We Need You!
Parents and Community Members:
Apply to become an active volunteer to help support our staff and scholars! Once you're active in our volunteer system, sign up for opportunities such as:
- May 1: Supernova Music + Film Fest
- May 2: Prom Decorating Committee
- May 4-8: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week:
- May 11-15: Boosterton Prize Distribution and Fun Run
- May 31: Graduation Reception
Click here to view the always-current list of opportunities and links to sign up.
SoR Volunteering Network:
Nova Classical Families, do you know of a non-profit that needs help in our community? Do you need help in your research lab or hospital this summer? Do you have a connection with an animal shelter, museum, or park cleanup group? SoR Students are required to log 80 hours of community service to graduate. Please help us connect our students with opportunities in the community. Please contact Ms. Landrum (Voelker), School Counselor, Grades 8-12, with questions or ideas.
Community Resources for Families
If your family could use extra support, there are caring local organizations ready to help.
Hennepin County Emergency General Assistance: Offers support for rent, utilities, and temporary shelter.
- Assists with food, clothing, or utility needs
- Call: (651) 437-7134
Dakota County Employment and Economic Assistance
- Provides information about public aid and emergency help
- Call: (651) 554-5611
Ramsey County Keystone Community Food Center
You can visit Keystone’s Community Food Center located at 1800 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55104. The center is between the Wendy’s and Arby’s on the corner of Fairview and University. No appointment or advanced registration is required. Food shelf participants are served on a first come, first served basis during the hours listed below. Please call (651) 917-3792 if you have any questions.
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM & 2:00-4:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM & 4:00-6:00 PM
**Please note, there is no morning service on the following 2026 dates:
- Wednesdays: June 3, September 2, and December 2.
Supernova 2026 Film & Music Festival
WHAT: Live film screenings and musical performances from Nova’s creative community. Open to anyone with a relative connection to Nova Classical Academy. Nova Alumni are encouraged to participate!
WHEN: Friday, May 1, 2026
WHERE: Nova Great Hall 4:00-9:00 PM
SUBMISSIONS: Accepted here
TICKETS: Available on the NPTO store
Upcoming Events
April:
16: Multicultural Night from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
17: No School (Staff Work Day)
27: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
May:
1: No School (Building Closed)
2: Junior/Senior Prom
15: SoL Color Run
18: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
20: SoR Choir Concert
21: SoR Ascot Day
22: No School (Staff Work Day)
25: No School (Building Closed)
31: SoR Graduation at 2:00 PM
June:
2: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at 6:00 PM
3: Last Day of School
19: No School (Building Closed)
Summer Office Hours:
M-Th, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, from June 5-August 14