About Us
Welcome!
Principals’ Message
The Novato High community collaborates to provide our students the opportunity to achieve academic success in an environment that promotes wellness and the skills to access post-secondary options. This dedicated group of stakeholders sustains a safe and supportive environment for all students. The teaching staff delivers personalized learning in concert with student interests. The teachers and counselors attend athletic and student performances which promotes positive rapport with students and connects students to the school community. The Novato High teachers focus on effective pedagogy, essential standards and student feedback to improve student outcomes. We continue the implementation of Proficiency Based Education, supporting the use of formative and summative assessments that are aligned between classes and teachers to inform instructional practice. Our professional development continues to focus on proficiency-based education, campus wellness, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and English Language Learner strategies to support student success.
Our school utilizes the Graduate Profile to measure student mastery of academic content and to assess progress on NUSD’s values.
School Profile
The blend of a diverse student population, intentional programs and supports, and rich traditions of a suburban high school creates the vibrant, passionate, art-infused community of Novato High School. Located in Novato, California, NHS is a part of the Novato Unified School District. NHS serves students in grades nine through twelve and is known for its strong specialized programs including Marin School of the Arts and Medical Career Pathways, multiple extracurricular options, and a supportive learning environment. Like all schools within Novato Unified School District, the NHS educational experience will: ensure students possess academic and technical knowledge to enter successful careers and post-secondary experiences; prepare all students to be successful and productive citizens and leaders in a diverse and global society; and encourage students to embrace a variety of learning opportunities throughout their lifetime.
NHS Mission and Vision
MISSION
At NHS, students become critical thinkers, skilled readers, writers, and speakers, through rigorous and relevant instruction. Students grow personally through vibrant and varied co-curricular and extracurricular programs in athletics, the arts, and via community service. Students leave college and career ready, prepared to excel and contribute in our communities.
VISION
Novato High believes in fostering a creative and inclusive community where we work together to actively grow, access experiences, and create our own authentic paths.
6 C's of the Graduate Profile
-
- Listens actively
- Expresses thoughts and ideas clearly
- Supports claims and ideas with valid evidence
- Engages an audience appropriately
- Willingness to engage in difficult conversations
-
- Sets and monitors goals for continuous growth
- Manages time effectively
- Embraces challenges with a growth mindset
- Advocates for self and takes responsibility for learning
- Practices self-reflection and self-regulation
-
- Engages in ongoing cultural self-awareness
- Understands global worldviews
- Takes action to contribute positively to the local, national, and/or global community
- Seeks and considers multiple perspectives
-
- Uses evidence and reasoning to guide decision making
- Analyzes digital and print sources to determine validity and biases
- Synthesizes existing and new knowledge to generate creative solutions and ideas
- Recognizes multiple ways of solving problems
-
- Contributes to the success of the team
- Takes ownership for responsibilities within the team
- Maintains a positive and empathetic attitude
-
- Possesses strong values and takes appropriate action
- Models integrity and honesty
- Respects others
NHS Specialized Programs
Marin School of the Arts (MSA)
MSA specialized program within Novato High School committed to individual and artistic exploration. It is an inclusive and supportive specialized arts program within Novato High School. We promote and respect self-expression, artistic risk-taking, a wide range of ideas, and diversity in all its forms. Visit Marin School of the Arts for more information.
Medical Career Pathways (MCP)
MCP is a specialty program at Novato High School that prepares students with the academic, social, and professional skills needed to be college and career ready in a medical field of their choosing. Students are introduced to numerous aspects of healthcare careers and topics.
In addition to a rigorous and college-articulated curriculum, students are exposed to a multitude of leadership opportunities that include community networking, job shadowing, student research, field trips, and community service. Medical professionals provide students with first-hand knowledge and instruction as guest teachers in the classroom. Visit Medical Career Pathways for more information.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Novato Unified School District Career Technical Education (CTE) programs prepare students to succeed in real-world environments through the development of conceptual thinking, effective communication, and the ability to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Instructors at Novato High School have directed efforts toward establishing school-to-work structures within each curricular area for all students, including those with special needs. Novato High offers several CTE programs including several art pathways within the Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) industry sector that provides hands-on training for creative careers. Advisors/Guidance Counselors offer additional support through various programs, including: Internships, Job Shadows, Regional Occupation Program (ROP), Career Exploration, and access to the College/Career Center.Visit Career and Technical Education for more information.
Pathways to the Future: College, Career, and AP Learning
College and Career Resources
NUSD offers College & Career resources for students. Visit the College and Career Resources for more information and resources.
NUSD also offers has a College and Career Specialist available by appointment to assist students and families with:
-
College lists and application support
-
Essay review
-
General post-secondary planning and discussions
-
Work Permits
Advanced Placement Courses
Novato High encourages students to continue their education past high school. Novato High offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses for those students seeking to qualify for college credit. Sophomore, Juniors and Seniors achieving a score of three, four, or five on the final AP exams qualify for college credit at most of the nation’s colleges. Novato High offers twenty (20) different AP courses within the schedule.
Student Support
It is the goal of Novato High School to assist students in their social and personal development as well as academics. The school gives special attention to students who experience achievement problems, difficulty coping with personal and family problems, trouble with decision making, or handling peer pressure. The counselor to pupil ratio is 1:350.
-
Novato High teachers utilize personalized learning strategies in all classes. Novato High provides special education services to students who are assessed and designated as eligible for special education. Programs and services designed to meet the student’s needs are identified in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The Resource Specialist Program serves students with exceptional needs who are able to function in the regular classroom for the majority of the day. They receive individual, small group, or classroom instruction designed to meet their identified needs. Designated Instructional Services are provided to students who are eligible for Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, or other services. Special Day Classes are available to students who require special education more than 50% of the school day. Counseling Enriched Classes are also offered at NHS and students from both high school attend.
-
NUSD makes every effort to ensure all school teachers are fully credentialed to provide instruction to English Learners. In addition to holding appropriate certification, many teachers have participated in additional site and/or district training to support English Learner students. Our English Learner students are given the Summative English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) annually to determine language proficiency. At the secondary level English Learner students attend a specialized language development class in addition to language support provided within generalized classes. This structure supports all academic classes. A variety of curricular resources are used to aid students in the acquisition of the English language. As students achieve proficiency, they are reclassified as Fluent English Proficient. An active English Language Advisory Committee meets regularly and provides parents of EL learners an opportunity to become involved in their students’ education and increase their participation in school activities.
-
Novato High School provides Access Periods to all students to allow for opportunities additional learning. This includes all classes taken by students, which includes but is not limited to English/Language Arts, Sciences, World Languages, the Arts, Yoga, Dance, Special Education, Counseling Enriched Classes, Mathematics and Social Sciences. Social emotional intervention programs offered at Novato High School include: Counseling, NMCS/MFT therapists in the East Annex wing, Tutoring, summer school/credit recovery, SST and 504 meetings. Restorative Practices, which holds a student accountable for his or her actions, focuses on repairing the harm done to the community, and assigns consequences that help the student contribute to reconnect with the community and make better decisions in the future. Choosing to participate in a restorative process is an alternative to an at home suspension consequence for a student.
Parent Engagement
We welcome parents and guardians to become involved in the school’s learning community. Each year, annual events such as Back to School Night provide opportunities for parents to interact with the staff while supporting their child’s academic programs. Parents are encouraged to support their student and the school by helping with or attending performances and events. A variety of councils, clubs, and boosters provide opportunities for parents to have input on curricular programs and financial planning. School-to-home communication is frequent through weekly newsletters, phone calls, emails, and physical letters.
Facilities
Founded in 1957, Novato High School is Novato’s first high school. Before its opening, local students traveled to neighboring towns to attend high school, making the establishment of Novato High a defining moment for the growing community. Since then, the 38-acre campus has evolved to meet the needs of new generations, with modernized classrooms, updated science and performing arts facilities, and improved athletic spaces supported by community bond measures.
The Measure G Bond measure passed by Novato voters in 2016, supported the construction of the Center for the Sciences, Center for the Arts and the Novato High Athletic Field Complex.
The Center for the Sciences is a 15,000 sq. ft. building with10 lecture/labs, a demonstration area, breakout spaces, staff support space, as well as outdoor learning areas to support project-based learning.
The Center for the Arts is a 450-seat, 18,000 sq. ft. performing arts center which includes gallery space, classroom/greenroom spaces and support spaces. This balcony-style seating facility supports District-wide arts programs, as well as Novato High School’s Marin School for the Arts.
The Novato High Athletic Field Complex is a 85,000 sq. ft. synthetic turf practice field, a 31,000 sq. ft. synthetic turf softball field, a 102,000 sq. ft turf baseball field, and 30,240 sq. ft. of tennis courts (5). This facility supports student physical education and team sports in a safe environment available for year-round use.