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 535 students in grades 6-12, Nova Classical Academy Upper School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Minnesota for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 74% (which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 46%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 82% (which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 51%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Minnesota state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 535 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 42%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 5% in MN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 74% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 82% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: 70-74% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Nova Classical Academy Upper School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Nova Classical Academy Upper School's student population of 535 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 36 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
535 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
36 teachers
School Rankings
Nova Classical Academy Upper School ranks within the top 5% of all 1,773 schools in Minnesota (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Nova Classical Academy Upper 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
#37 out of 1773 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
74%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
82%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-74%
41%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
2%
Asian
13%
7%
Hispanic
9%
12%
Black
10%
12%
White
58%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
10%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥95%
84%
Eligible for Free Lunch
13%
36%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
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 Upper School's ranking?
Nova Classical Academy Upper School is ranked #37 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Minnesota.
What schools are Nova Classical Academy Upper School often compared to?
Nova Classical Academy Upper Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
74% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 46% MN state average), while 82% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% MN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Nova Classical Academy Upper School?
The graduation rate of Nova Classical Academy Upper School is 95%, which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 84%.
How many students attend Nova Classical Academy Upper School?
535 students attend Nova Classical Academy Upper School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
58% of Nova Classical Academy Upper School students are White, 13% of students are Asian, 10% of students are Black, 10% of students are Two or more races, and 9% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Nova Classical Academy Upper School?
Nova Classical Academy Upper School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 13:1.
What grades does Nova Classical Academy Upper School offer ?
Nova Classical Academy Upper School offers enrollment in grades 6-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Nova Classical Academy Upper School part of?
Nova Classical Academy Upper School is part of Nova Classical Academy School District.
In what neighborhood is Nova Classical Academy Upper School located?
Nova Classical Academy Upper 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 Upper 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

The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.

Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State’s Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We’ll look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.

Can Your Child’s School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.