Mission Statement

The mission of The New School of Northern Virginia is to develop capable and confident individuals with a passion for living and learning. The New School teaches students the essential skills and habits of mind and body necessary to succeed in life. The school fosters a sense of individual empowerment, tempered by respect and responsibility, that allows students to effect positive change and re-imagine themselves as the people they wish to be. The school is committed to maintaining a vibrant community with small classes where students participate, collaborate, and ultimately own their education.


Our Beliefs

1. We believe there are many ways to teach, learn, and present information; we believe in the Multiple Intelligences.
2. We believe teachers must help students develop the essential skills and habits of mind they need to use their minds well.
3. We believe students are intrinsically motivated to learn, achieve, and create.
4. We believe interdependent collaboration between students, teachers, and parents is vital; we believe that students, teachers, and parents must relate to one another with mutual respect and trust.
5. We believe a special dimension of equality exists in the teacher/student relationship. We celebrate this dimension for it allows students to transcend their former academic self-perceptions and empowers students to re-imagine themselves as successful and creative learners and individuals.
6. We believe in using tools of authentic assessment (including student Portfolios, Exhibitions, performances, documented research, and more) to evaluate student mastery of skills and concepts.
7. We expect students to act in ways that benefit the community; it is essential to work cooperatively and to think and act ethically.
8. We believe in our skilled faculty: collegial friends of the highest order and talented student mentors. We provide myriad opportunities for our faculty to grow, collaboratively and individually, as both teachers and learners.