Nova Classical Academy is a K–12 charter school in St. Paul, Minnesota, that follows the classical model for education. Its executive director is Dr. Brett Wedlund, and it has a student enrollment of 990.
Serving 483 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Nova Classical Academy Lower School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Minnesota for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 78% (which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 45%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75% (which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 51%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the Minnesota state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: Kindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 483 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 42%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5% in MN
- Math Proficiency: 78% (Top 5%)
- Reading Proficiency: 75% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 75-79% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Nova Classical Academy Lower School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Nova Classical Academy Lower School's student population of 483 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 34 teachers has grown by 21% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
483 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
34 teachers
School Rankings
Nova Classical Academy Lower School ranks within the top 5% of all 1,860 schools in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Nova Classical Academy Lower School is 0.62, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#30 out of 1860 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
78%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
75-79%
41%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
2%
Asian
13%
7%
Hispanic
7%
12%
Black
15%
12%
White
58%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
20%
36%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nova Classical Academy Lower School's ranking?
Nova Classical Academy Lower School is ranked #30 out of 1,860 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Minnesota.
What schools are Nova Classical Academy Lower School often compared to?
Nova Classical Academy Lower Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Horace Mann School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
78% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 45% MN state average), while 75% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% MN state average).
How many students attend Nova Classical Academy Lower School?
483 students attend Nova Classical Academy Lower School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
58% of Nova Classical Academy Lower School students are White, 15% of students are Black, 13% of students are Asian, 7% of students are Hispanic, and 7% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Nova Classical Academy Lower School?
Nova Classical Academy Lower School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 13:1.
What grades does Nova Classical Academy Lower School offer ?
Nova Classical Academy Lower School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Nova Classical Academy Lower School part of?
Nova Classical Academy Lower School is part of Nova Classical Academy School District.
In what neighborhood is Nova Classical Academy Lower School located?
Nova Classical Academy Lower School is located in the West Seventh Fort Road neighborhood of Saint Paul, MN. There are 21 other public schools located in West Seventh Fort Road.
School Reviews
Review Nova Classical Academy Lower School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
What is Project-Based Learning?
Project-based learning has been highly touted by some educators as a viable option to traditional learning models. We’ll take a look at what project-based learning is and why it is getting so much attention today.
What is an Online High School
Find information about Online High Schools - what they are and how they work.
“Smart Snacks” Standards Coming to School Vending Machines Nationwide
We explore new federal regulations that will ban junk food from public schools. This means no more sweets and soda in cafeteria lines, vending machines and snacks sold in other locations around the schools.
