kind, curious, and daring kids.
Our mission: a generation of kids who contribute good to the world.
We look for students who work hard and love to learn. We hire faculty at the cutting edge of their field who love to teach. We design each year, anew, built on first principles and try to answer the question: what actually matters?
The Basics
What kind of school is Astra Nova?
Astra Nova is an online, non-profit, WASC-accredited school. We have a middle school (ages 11–14) and high school (ages 14–18). Astra Nova is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is founder-driven and supported by an independent Board of Trustees.
How many students are in Astra Nova?
Astra Nova has 315 middle school students from 45 countries. Class sizes typically range from 6 to 16 students, and Astra Nova will launch its high school in the 2026/2027 school year.
How are classes taught?
All courses are taught live in English on Zoom — class sizes generally range from 6–16 students.
What is the Astra Nova community like?
We are a small community of kind, curious, and ambitious people working together on big ideas. Any insights we glean from our school, we humbly share with the world.
Conundrums and Synthesis are two projects born at Astra Nova that have impacted millions of students to date.
Astra Nova is widely recognized as one of the most innovative schools in the world — expect new ideas each term.
When are classes?
Classes are held in six one-hour blocks, Monday through Friday. Once accepted, register for the blocks that fit your family's schedule. Most students take between 4 and 16 class hours per week for the duration of the school year.
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How often do classes meet and for how long?
Some classes meet 1x per week while others meet 2 or more times a week. Math, for example, meets for 4 hours each week for the duration of the school year.
Each block is 60 minutes long.
School Calendar
Are there in-person events?
In early June the entire Astra Nova community is invited to Los Angeles to spend a few days together.
For students enrolled in 6 or more class hours, there are optional in-person experiences offered during the school year.
What ages do you work with?
We work with students ages 11–18, roughly 6th through 12th grade.
What courses do you offer?
We create new classes each term. Here is a glimpse of courses offered in a previous semester: Winter 2026 Courses.
What about math?
Our faculty teach Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus. We work with Art of Problem Solving to support students who need a different math class.
Do you provide transcripts and college support?
We provide guidance and support, including Astra Nova transcripts and letters of recommendation. Many Astra Nova graduates attend the most selective boarding and day schools in the country.
How much does Astra Nova cost?
Tuition is $2,400 per class hour for the entire school year with a minimum of 2 class hours. Most students enroll in the 4–16 hour range.
To keep things easy, we offer a few different fee-free payment plans along with the ability to pay with credit card with a 3% fee.
What are your thoughts on tuition?
Astra Nova is a nonprofit tuition-based school — we do not have an annual fund, we do not actively solicit donations from families, and we do not receive money from the state or federal governments. Astra Nova relies almost entirely on tuition to pay for teachers' salaries, student supplies, and other program expenses. It is critically important to us that family finances should not prevent a child from attending Astra Nova. From the earliest days of Ad Astra to today, we have met 100% of demonstrated financial need for all families.
How does financial aid work?
We use Clarity, a financial aid system used by some of the best private schools in the country. It is designed to be streamlined, fair, and easy to use. You can complete the application on your mobile device, and for most families the process will take less than 20 minutes.
Once a family successfully completes the financial aid application, we are bound by our Board of Directors to honor the tuition amount that Clarity calculates. We share all financial aid offers at the time of acceptance.
How do I apply for financial aid?
- Please have your child apply to the school before the next deadline.
- If we invite your child to the next round and you would like to be considered for financial aid, please complete the Clarity process here: Clarity Application.
- Clarity charges a non-refundable application fee of $60. Astra Nova purchases fee waivers for applicants with total family incomes of $75,000 or less — email tara@astranova.org to request one.
What is your policy on integrity?
We are unapologetically judicious with the financial aid we give out. We expect everyone in the Astra Nova community to operate with the highest standard of integrity. If that trust is breached, we will not be able to move forward with your family.
