FAQs for Families

Students with all kinds of personalities truly find a place at Nora—from outgoing, social extroverts to thoughtful, quiet introverts. Because our community is so diverse, it’s easy for students to find their people while also having the space to enjoy moments of independence and reflection.

In the classroom, the students who tend to thrive are those who are open to engaging in the learning process. This looks like having meaningful class discussions, showing curiosity about the world beyond the classroom (experience-based learning), or being willing to be challenged academically—without the artificial urgency of a fast-paced, timed environment.

If you’re seeking a school centered on highly competitive advanced placement tracks or Division I athletics, this may not be the right fit! However, if you’re looking for a high school that prioritizes connection, thoughtful learning, and a more personal, supportive environment, The Nora School offers exactly that kind of community.

To begin, our academic team prioritizes truly understanding each student as a learner. Every student is included in a comprehensive learning profile that highlights their individual strengths, learning style, and any necessary academic accommodations. This allows teachers to thoughtfully design lessons that engage and support all students in meaningful ways.

We also provide extended time for unit assessments and standardized testing, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding more fully, without the pressure of being timed. While written/typed reports are assigned depending on the class, many teachers also incorporate alternatives such as oral presentations and class discussions as valid and valued demonstrations of learning.

Beyond the classroom, we offer additional academic support through after-school help and dedicated “Overtime” sessions, where students can connect with teachers, peer tutors, and other resources for extra guidance and reinforcement.

At The Nora School, our average class size is intentionally small—typically between six and eight students. This allows for meaningful connection, individualized attention, and active participation in every class.

We also maintain a student-to-teacher ratio that never exceeds 12:1, ensuring that each student is seen, supported, and engaged throughout their learning experience.

The Nora school day begins at 8:45 AM and is structured around six learning periods designed to balance academic engagement with flexibility and community connection.

Students attend periods one through four in the morning, followed by an open lunch from 12:00–12:45 PM. After lunch, students return for fifth period, followed by Lab*, a unique part of the Nora experience. The day then concludes with sixth period and Overtime.

For most students, the academic day ends at 2:45 PM. Students who are scheduled for—or choose to attend—Overtime stay until 3:15 PM. For students participating in athletics, most practices take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays and typically run from 3:15–5:00 PM or later.

*Lab is a 30-minute session built directly into the school day. It functions much like an extracurricular club, giving students the opportunity to explore interests, connect with peers, and recharge in a different kind of learning environment. Past Lab offerings have included karaoke, Dungeons & Dragons, quiet study hall, chess, and many others.

The Nora School prioritizes student well-being by providing access to a dedicated school counselor, as well as schoolwide mindfulness practices like our weekly “Mindful Moment” each Morning Meeting and group meditation each Friday. We also offer a quiet meditation space for students who may need time during the day to reset and regulate, while still remaining part of the school community. When appropriate, we can accommodate midday therapeutic sessions to further support students’ needs.

At Nora, it’s completely normal to see students taking a mindful pause—whether that’s meditating, stepping away briefly, or regrouping. We allow this so students can return to the classroom, ready to engage as their best selves.

Learning at The Nora School extends well beyond academics, with a wide range of opportunities for students to engage with the world around them. Our Fine & Performing arts programs are thriving, with a new band every year and unique art opportunities like our annual Photography Festival.

We also spend a good deal of time outside the classroom.  Field trips might include visits to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, or outdoor experiences such as hiking the Billy Goat Trail and exploring nearby parks.  Students are encouraged to engage with their broader community through regular travel to service-learning sites, where they support local nonprofits while earning valuable student service learning hours. In addition, students have opportunities to participate in athletic competitions with other small, independent schools.  Our Intersession Week further expands these opportunities, offering immersive, hands-on learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Juniors and Seniors are invited to participate in social justice-focused travel experiences, such as studying the Civil Rights Movement in the American South or engaging in service work with Native American communities in South Dakota. 

Although our class sizes are small, The Nora School shares some similarities with colleges and universities in that many of our classes include students from multiple grade levels. While there are a few grade-specific courses, most classes bring together at least two different grades. Students often find value in learning within these mixed-age environments, noting that it helps them build confidence, adaptability, and independence as they prepare for college lecture halls. Our alumni frequently share that this structure supports a smoother transition into college, where they encountered similarly diverse academic settings.

Seniors present a Senior Portfolio for intentional reflection on the different skills they will use at the college level including research writing, data analysis, oral presentations, developing an art portfolio, leadership and community support.

In addition, our college counselor works closely with all Nora seniors to ensure they are supported in identifying and pursuing their next steps. While we proudly support students in gaining acceptance to at least one college or university, we also recognize that post-secondary success can take many forms. Students are guided through a range of pathways, including certification programs, life-skills or transitional programs, and thoughtfully planned gap years.

At The Nora School, we approach conflict and bullying with care and intention, addressing each situation on a case-by-case basis, while remaining grounded in the expectations outlined in our Student Handbook.

Our faculty also meets weekly to discuss how best to support students who may need additional guidance—academically, socially, or in navigating the school community. This proactive approach allows us to respond thoughtfully and ensure students feel supported and understood.

When conflicts do arise, we have clear processes in place to work toward a positive and constructive resolution. These may include peer mediation, meetings with our school counselor, or the development of individualized action plans that support both social growth and academic success.

At Nora, we expect students to be in charge of their own destiny. But trying to learn while battling the draw of that small screen has proven extremely challenging. What happens when the phones are put away? We've discovered that keeping phones in our lockers encourages more focus and longer attention on the tasks at hand.

We expect all phones to be put away in the locker all day (except during lunch). If the faculty sees a phone during school time - in class, in the hallway, or in the bathrooms - it will be held in the main office for the rest of the day.

In exchange, The Nora School provides alternative ways to do electronic classwork, use the internet for research, and even listen to music (for those with the accommodation of headphones).