Born at SpaceX, Astra Nova is an online school for
kind, curious, and daring kids.
For curious, hardworking students ready for more challenge than their school can offer.
Independent, online, nonprofit 501(c)(3) WASC-accredited Live classes on Zoom Students around the world Middle School and High School Need-blind; we meet 100% of demonstrated financial need
Astra Nova is an online, non-profit, WASC-accredited school. It has a middle school (ages 11–14) and a high school (ages 14–18). We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, founder-driven and supported by an independent Board of Trustees.
Many of our students have been identified as gifted, and many haven’t. We look for curiosity, effort and a love of challenge.
Our middle school has 315 students from 45 countries. Our high school started in the 2026/2027 school year.
Our faculty teach all courses live on Zoom, in English. Most classes have 6–16 students.
Kind, curious, and ambitious people working together on big ideas. Conundrums and Synthesis are two projects born at Astra Nova that have impacted millions of students.
Astra Nova is widely recognized as one of the most innovative schools in the world — expect new ideas each term.
We create new courses for each term. See our current courses here.
Astra Nova offers math courses through Calculus and university-level math. Any student can take math at Astra Nova. Math is required for the Graduation Track.
Math classes meet 4 times per week, so math counts as 4 class hours. We work with Art of Problem Solving to help students who need a different math class.
The Graduation Track is our full 3–4 year high school program. Students apply to the Graduation Track in an additional application step.
- Students must take at least 12 class hours per week. Math counts toward the 12 class hours.
- Math at Astra Nova is required.
- The Graduation Track includes the Corporate Collaborative. Students spend 1 week per year on site at a company. In 2026–27, the Corporate Collaborative is in El Segundo, California.
We provide Astra Nova transcripts and letters of recommendation. Many graduates attend the most selective boarding and day schools in the country.
Yes. Our High School profile gives college counselors facts about our school, courses, grades, and graduation requirements. View the school profile (PDF).
Classes meet live during the school week. Every class block is 60 minutes. Most courses meet once or twice per week. Math classes meet 4 times per week for the full school year.
There are 7 class blocks during the day. After we accept a student, the family registers for the class blocks that fit their schedule. Most students take 4–16 class hours per week.
| Time | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri |
|---|
Tuition covers the 2027–28 school year, beginning August 25, 2027, across three terms. Term dates and breaks are on the school calendar.
Astra Nova is a nonprofit tuition-based school — no annual fund, no donations solicited, no government funding. Tuition pays for teachers' salaries and student supplies.
From the earliest days of Ad Astra to today, we have met 100% of demonstrated financial need for all families.
We are need-blind and meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.
We use Clarity for financial aid. Top private schools also use Clarity. For most families, the Clarity process takes less than 20 minutes.
Our Board of Trustees requires us to honor the tuition amount that Clarity calculates. We share all financial aid offers when we accept a student.
- Apply to the school before the next deadline.
- If we invite you to the next round, complete the Clarity Application.
- Clarity charges a $60 fee. Families with an income of $75k or less can ask for a fee waiver. To ask, email tara@astranova.org.
We are unapologetically judicious with aid. We expect the highest standard of integrity. If that trust is breached, we will not be able to move forward with your family.
Astra Nova is an online school. We also offer optional in-person experiences during the year. The middle school and the high school each have their own trips. Trip costs are not included in tuition. The cards below show the 2026–27 experiences. We invite all families to our end-of-year gathering in Los Angeles.
Available to students who take 8+ class hours per week. Destinations vary by year.
Open to Astra Nova families.
What age level is your child considering?
High School
For 12 years, the #1 request from families has been to build a high school. Our High School opened in August 2026, and we are now accepting students for a 3–4 year Graduation Track program pairing rigorous academics with real-world experience.
*Middle School and High School use the same application.
Rigorous technical coursesbiotechnology, physics, engineering, artificial intelligence
Courses in conversation with the wisdom of humanitygreat literature, philosophy, mental models, history
Middle School
Open courses, uniquely designed, to explore the frontiers of knowledge and help students build the skills to make any team better.
*Middle School and High School use the same application.
Enrollment options
A class hour is one live, 60-minute class a week. Math counts as 4.
| Class hours per week | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| 2 hours | $4,950 |
| 3–4 hours | $9,900 |
| 5–7 hours | $14,850 |
| 8–11 hours | $24,750 |
| 12–15 hours | $32,175 |
| 16 or more hours | $37,125 |
Trip costs for in-person experiences are not included in tuition.
Three terms. Term dates and breaks are on the school calendar.
School calendar →Apply in three steps
We think a single “admissions season” is an outdated idea, and charging money to apply is silly. We accept applications year-round and review them twice a year. Middle School and High School share one application.
Parent Letter
Tell us about your family: what you look for in a school, and what you hope to find at Astra Nova. No more than one page. Think of it as a short email.
Submit the Application
Fill in the basic information. Upload the Conundrum response and the parent letter. There is no fee. Typically, about half of applicants move to the next round.
School at a rocket factory.
Racially Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students: Astra Nova School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and scholarship programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Astra Nova School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to employees and applicants. Employment at Astra Nova School is based solely on the person's merit and qualifications. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.
Image Credits: Don Pettit, NASA. USGS. Tomoko Sato.
© 2026 Astra Nova School