NOVA NEWS - November 2025

Dear Nova Classical Community,

As November begins, I naturally find myself reflecting on the many things I am grateful for. Having the opportunity to serve Nova and be part of this great community is something I am deeply thankful for. Every day I am reminded that what makes Nova truly special is the people who bring our mission to life, starting with our remarkable staff. I see their dedication as they guide students through challenges, celebrate successes, and model the virtues that define Nova Classical Academy. Their commitment and care make this school the exceptional place it is.

I am also thankful for our families who give us the opportunity to be part of their child’s education. Your trust and support mean a great deal, and the partnership we share, built on shared purpose and belief in classical education, continues to inspire me. Our students thrive because of the collective effort of so many, including staff, parents, and the broader community, working together to help them grow in knowledge and virtue.

At Nova Classical, gratitude is more than appreciation. It is an act of stewardship. One of the beliefs in our Strategic Plan reminds us that ethical and prudent financial decision making ensures the continued existence of our model. This belief guides how we approach both daily operations and long term planning, helping us preserve and strengthen the mission we hold in common and continue to support everyone who makes this work possible, including our staff.

It is the time of year that education organizations across Minnesota are releasing their priorities for the upcoming legislative session, and we are reminded that state initiatives can both support and stretch schools. For example, while the legislation providing free meals for all students has been an important step in ensuring no child goes hungry, Nova absorbs a meaningful financial cost to provide these meals. Sustaining excellence requires thoughtful stewardship of our resources, our mission, and our shared commitment to students.

As we enter this season of gratitude and reflection, thank you for the many ways you contribute to Nova through time, advocacy, generosity, and partnership. The upcoming Give to the Max Day is one moment when our families can show their generosity and gratitude for the work of Nova and the people who make it possible. The same spirit of giving is seen in the time and energy offered by families volunteering at events such as the NPTO Carnival this Saturday. Together, these contributions strengthen the foundation that allows our students to learn not for school, but for life.

It’s a Great Day to be a Knight!
Dr. Brett Wedlund

Click here for information on ordering school photos!

Feel free to contact Kemmetmueller Photography by email at info@k-photography.com or by phone at (952) 473-2142 if you have any questions about your student's picture day, need help with ordering photos, or have any other concerns. You may also visit their website at www.k-photography.com.

For any students who weren't able to attend any of the picture days, they can come to our in-studio retake day on November 15, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at our studio located at 18336 Minnetonka Blvd, Wayzata, MN 55391.

Please join us for Parent Education Night on Tuesday, November 11, from 5:30-7:30 PM, which was rescheduled from October. We'll have mini-learning sessions on subjects such as classical education; how to help your child at home with Latin, math, and reading; why we teach Latin; best practices for studying and organization; and more!

To RSVP for this event, please click here.

This is an adults only in-person event that will begin on the 3rd floor Exhibition Hall at 5:30 PM and finish at 7:30 PM. Dr. Johnson will be available from 7:30-8:00 PM to answer any lingering questions you have!

We are looking forward to learning together with our Nova Classical Community!

Give to the Max Day is Minnesota’s biggest day of giving—and it's coming up on November 20!

This year, Nova Classical Academy is raising funds to keep our programs steady, strong, and uncompromised amid rising costs, new state requirements, and the expiration of temporary relief funding. Your support helps us continue delivering the exceptional classical education our students deserve.

As always, Nova’s Give to the Max Day will be filled with fun hourly challenges, exciting giving incentives, and plenty of community spirit!

Follow us on social media, share our campaign, and help spread the word about our thriving public charter school. Together, we can keep excellence thriving through challenge.

Click here to Give to the Max!

The enrollment application for the 2026-2027 school year is open. Please visit our website for information. All applications submitted by January 31, 2026, at 4:00 PM, will be entered into the enrollment lottery in February 2026. Current students do not need to reapply. Click here to Apply Online for 2026-2027 enrollment.

Our Enrollment Open House will be held next Thursday, November, 13, from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Join us for a presentation on our programs and tour of our school. Click here to register for the Open House.

Registrations

Registration for winter after school clubs closes November 14, 2025, at 4:00 PM.

Fall Musical

Annie Jr. takes the stage at the Park Square Theater November 14, 2025. Get your tickets here!

Nova Youth Girls Volleyball

This opportunity is for girls in grades 4-6 to learn fundamentals, the rules and positions, build skills, and grow their love for Volleyball in a positive and encouraging environment. This program will be led by Coach Grabau, who has been a part of the Knights high school program for 5 years and has 10+ years of coaching experience. Coach Grabau will bring high-level knowledge, experience, and energy to the program with a main goal to foster and create passion for the sport of volleyball and aim to increase individual volleyball skills. Registration is open November 1-15. Please note there are limited spots for this opportunity, so please register as soon as possible.

George Hanson, a 6th grader at Nova Classical Academy, is the 2025 Minnesota State Champion for Juvenile Boys Figure Skating! He is also qualified him for the Midwestern Sectionals Singles Final in Lansing, Michigan, on November 17. Please join us in wishing George the best of luck as he continues to skate toward success.

The Boys Cross Country Team captured their 7th straight Skyline Conference title on Monday, finishing first overall! A huge congratulations to Benaiah Mathews, who claimed the individual championship for the second year in a row with a time of 16:39.92. All-Conference Top Ten honors also go to teammates Eli Andre, Patrick O’Keefe, and Lyle Gerber for their outstanding performances!

The Girls Cross Country Team earned an impressive 3rd place finish, with Isabel Pass taking home the individual conference title with a time of 18:54.45 and advanced to State individually!

Thank you to the Grandparents and Special Persons who visited our classrooms and to the team of volunteers who helped us run the program smoothly. You all enrich our community with your connection to our scholars!

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, our K–12 students came together to celebrate Unity Day. Every student signed a school-wide banner as a pledge to stand for justice, acceptance, and inclusion—key values in the fight against bullying. It was a powerful reminder that when we unite, we create a safe and caring community for all at

Parents and Community Members:

Apply to become an active volunteer to help support our staff and scholars! Consider joining these teams:

• Run a carnival game with other families from your student's grade at the November 8, NCA Family Carnival!
• 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.

Highlights from the October 27 Nova Classical Board Meeting:

• The Nova Classical Spotlight Award was presented to Upper School Student, James Garske. James embodies what it means to be a Nova student with national recognition as a Nation Merit Finalist, serves as vice president of Nova’s National Honor Society. He’s involved in several student leadership groups including the Cooperative, the Knights Round Table student advisory group, mock trial, and choir at Nova as well as the MN page program, Boy Scouts and other programs outside of Nova. James consistently displays a character of service and humility as well as academic excellence. The Board was pleased to recognize James Garske’s achievements and service to Nova Classical and congratulates him on receiving the Spotlight Award!

  
  

• The Board reviewed and discussed:
• Our Academic progress for our authorizer requirements, this month we reviewed nationally normed data, graduation data and our school culture goals. This is an on-going review of the academic progress of our scholars.
• Progress on our building expansion. We are hoping to move to the next step this next month as the official approvals for building are being approved and our construction management contract and costs negotiated.
• Enrollment data - including grade level retention, new enrollments and waitlists.
• The Assurance of Compliance to the Minnesota Department of Education.

The Board is always looking for Parents to serve. Coming to a Board meeting or joining a committee can be an excellent way to explore that commitment to our school. You may also reach out to our current Board Chair, Bavi Weston, for more information about joining the Board, or any of our Board members.

The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, November 24, 2025.

For meeting minutes and agendas for upcoming meetings, visit the Board section of Nova Classical's website.

Board meetings are open to the public. All are welcome to attend meetings. We are also open to having Nova family members join our work groups. If you are interested in attending or joining a board committee those can be found here.

Nova PTO’s sole purpose is to provide resources to Nova Classical’s staff, students and their families in ways that the school cannot.

Visit www.novapto.org for more about what Nova PTO does and Save the Date(s) for the fun we have planned!

Upcoming Events:

• Saturday, 11/8: Nova Family Carnival at Nova Classical from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
• Tuesday 11/11: Virtual NPTO Meeting 7:30-8:30 PM
• Meeting ID: 842 4045 9837
• Passcode: enrich
• Saturday 11/15: Great Gathering for Grades 1-4, LEGO Party. Purchase tickets here.
• Thursday 11/20: Great Gathering for Grades 2-5, Pizza & Movie Night with Mrs. Farrell. Purchase tickets here.
• Tuesday 12/2: Virtual NPTO Meeting 7:30-8:30 PM
• Meeting ID: 842 4045 9837
• Passcode: enrich
• Friday 12/5: Great Gathering for Adults Only, Shake, Strengthen & Fundraise - Pure Barre Night Out. Purchase tickets here.
• Thursday 12/18: Winter Treat Day! Signs ups to come.

Get involved at novapto.org. View open volunteer opportunities, connect to the family directory, and more.

The Carnival is finally here, this Saturday, 11/8, from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM at Nova Classical.

• Know your reserved timed entry window.
• Forgot to RSVP? As space permits, admission is $10 per person at the door of the carnival.
• Enter only through Nova Classical’s main entrance, Door 1, also known as the "Linus side".
• Wear socks for inflatable attractions.
• Bring coins for the wishing well, cash for raffles, and credit cards for tickets and Spirit Wear.

More information at www.novapto.org/carnival or email novagreatgatherings@gmail.com

November:

1: Enrollment Application Window for 2026-2027 Opens (new students only)

6: Evening Conferences (In person from 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM)

7: No School (Virtual K-12 Conferences from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)

8: NPTO Family Carnival

11: NPTO Meeting at 7:30 PM on Zoom

13: Enrollment Open House from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

20: Give to the Max Day

24: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM

24-28: No School (Building Closed 11/24, 26-28)

December:

2: NPTO Meeting at 7:30 PM on Zoom

18: NPTO treats and Festive Sweater Day (K-12 students may wear a festive sweater with uniform bottoms)

19-31: No School (Building Closed)

January:

1-2: No School (Building Closed)

5: Classes resume

6: NPTO Meeting at 7:30 PM on Zoom

16: No School (Staff Work Day)

19: No School (Building Closed)

26: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM

Did you know that you can follow Nova Classical Academy on social media? Stay in the loop by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

We invite our community members and students to share their stories, achievements, and upcoming events for a chance to be featured in Nova News! Whether it's highlighting a student group, activity, or special event, we welcome your submissions.

To ensure a smooth process, we've developed some guidelines for coaches, advisors, teachers, staff, students, and parent volunteers. These guidelines are designed to help streamline submissions and ensure we capture the best of what Nova Classical has to offer.

Please see the attached guidelines for more details on how to submit your items. Remember, you can also have your events or activities considered for our social media channels by emailing them to socialmedia@novaclassical.org and contact@novaclassical.org.

We look forward to showcasing the amazing things happening in our community!