OUR EDUCATIONAL APPROACH
A NESA education fosters individualized learning opportunities for collaboration, expression, and personal growth. We believe that students are most successful when they learn in an environment surrounded by other kind, curious, and passionate people. The only independent school for the arts in the greater Upper Valley region, we provide students grades 6-12 with immersive arts experiences in a college preparatory setting.
“A NESA education places each student at the center of their educational journey. Our STEAM-centered curriculum integrates students’ artistic interests through a personalized course of study. The City Campus Model provides valuable learning outside of the classroom and promotes students’ community connections through internship, volunteer, and extended learning opportunities.”
– Head of School Jennifer Chambers
Student-Directed Learning
NESA students are the primary stakeholders in their own educational experience. By working with each student to understand their passions and curiosities, we create an individualized course of study, and applied learning opportunities to empower each student’s growth.
Integrated Curriculum
No more relegating artistic ambition to after-school hours. NESA’s integrated curriculum is designed to harness student creativity throughout the school day. In contrast to the traditionally siloed educational model, our project-based approach empowers students to connect learning across disciplines.
City Campus Model
Our City Campus in downtown Lebanon, NH allows students to easily and frequently apply their learning beyond the classroom. The resulting job, volunteer, internship, and performance opportunities develop NESA students into caring community stewards.
Supportive Community
NESA students receive personalized attention from caring, professional instructors. The instructor team meets weekly to discuss each student’s academic, artistic, and social-emotional growth. We approach education with a growth mindset and view our students as whole people.
Our Daily Rhythm
Sample Schedule
8:30 – English
9:15 – Social Studies
10:00– Math
10:45 – Science
11:30 – Lunch
12:00– Ballet 1 A
12:45 – Concepts of Choreography
1:30 – Floor Barre & Understanding your Instrument
3:00 – Internship at Lebanon Opera House
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Core Curriculum
All students study the Core Curriculum which fulfills the NH Department of Education’s graduation requirements. However, unlike in a traditional siloed educational model, NESA students connect their learning across subject areas through collaborative projects and cross-disciplinary units.
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Artistic Training
At NESA, students don’t need to compromise creative pursuits or academic rigor. Artistic training each afternoon allows students to prepare for a career in the arts, develop their musical portfolio for college, and explore their creative and academic interests under one roof.
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City Campus Model
NESA students apply their learning outside the classroom and develop community connections. With classrooms just steps away from top-tier visual and performing arts organizations in downtown Lebanon, students can easily pursue internships, volunteer, or catch a show in the heart of a vibrant, artistic community.
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College Counseling
NESA is committed to helping each student explore and pursue their own post-graduate pathway. Students interested in pursuing higher education receive support in their college search, essay writing, artistic portfolio development, interview preparation and audition process.
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Career Preparation
All students receive one-on-one career mentorship and counseling from their instructors. We support, nurture and develop student interests in all artistic and professional fields.
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Internships
We strongly encourage all students to apply their learning through internships. We work with each student to create an individualized internship that aligns their skills, artistic interests, and career goals. Our City Campus Model and community partnerships enable students to intern across the Upper Valley.
Community Partners
A NESA education is designed to provide valuable learning outside of the classroom and promote students’ community connections. With NESA’s classrooms just steps away from top-tier visual and performing arts organizations in downtown Lebanon, our City Campus means that students can easily pursue afterschool internships and volunteer opportunities or catch a show or exhibit in the heart of a vibrant, artistic community. We are grateful to partner with the following community organizations across the Upper Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Students will have some homework outside of the school day; an assignment may include attending a local art gallery or play. These expectations will be clear from the first day of school so families can plan for them. The fall showcase and spring musical, for which dates will be determined by the beginning of the school year, will be required evening commitments. Rehearsals will occur primarily during the school day, but there may be some additional after-school rehearsals in the final weeks leading up to the performaces.
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While some workbook homework may be assigned students, the focus on out of the classroom learning will be on experiences that build on the concepts being taught in school and enhance the learning. Homework will not focus on worksheets, but connect students to creative and academic corners of our community that support their learning objectives at NESA.
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Students have lunch period every day. Students can also schedule free periods if they are on pace to graduate or if they participating in an Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) in the community for credit.
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Yes. Students will also have the opportunity to work for NESA as instructors for after-school programming or counselors at summer camp.
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Yes. Students will have the opportunity to receive PE credit by participating in physical education classes at the CCBA or dancing at NESA.
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Students will be provided a chromebook to use for their classes.
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Students should be dressed modestly for all school classes and events. This means modest necklines and hemlines. Clothing should cover midriff completely, and no under garments of any kind (slips, corsets, bralettes) should ever be worn as attire.
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Yes, students may participate in curricular and co-curricular programs in their resident public school district, subject to the same restriction or requirements of students enrolled in the public school. You can find more information here
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Yes, New Hampshire public school students can take classes at NESA for credit through the Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) program. Every public school is required by the NH Department of Education to have a policy about ELOs, even if they do not offer them yet. Some public schools fund ELO credits and others require families to pay. You can learn more about Lebanon High School’s ELO program here, and ELOs generally here.
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Yes. We are partnering with River Valley Community College Early Start and Bridge 2 College Programs. In this program students can receive up to two college credits per year.
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Students will have access to extensive online databases as well as the Lebanon Public Library.
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Yes, throughout the year we host whole school excursion events. These may entail a day at a Stewardship Center completing a ropes course, kayaking, hiking, building community and exploring the beautiful New England landscape.
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Yes, there will be an activity fair at the beginning of the school year where students can present approved clubs and ask other students to sign-up.
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Yes, students will complete 7 hours of community service over the course of the year. This will be during the school day and facilitated by NESA administration.
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Most students will take 7 classes per semester. 6 classes is the minimum requirement for a full-time student.
Professional Praise for New England School of the Arts.
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Bruce Adolphe
Famous conductor, composer and educator emphasizes the importance of integrating the arts are into core academic subject areas.
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Natascia Diaz
Broadway actor, dancer, singer, & teacher expresses why an arts-based education is more important than ever.
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Emily Saliers
American singer-songwriter from the Indigo Girls speaks to why an arts-based education is essential.