Novatio is a Cognia-accredited, private virtual school for students in grades 2 through 8. Students complete personalized core academics each morning with support from certified teachers, then spend their afternoons in live clubs built around practical skills and real projects. Because Arizona's Education Savings Account program is available to every K-12 resident in the state with no income test and no disability requirement, most Scottsdale families can attend without paying tuition out of pocket.

How does Arizona ESA funding work for Scottsdale families?

Arizona's ESA program deposits education funds directly into an account your family manages through ClassWallet. Novatio's tuition is $7,500 per school year. That amount is transferred from your ClassWallet account to Novatio, so you never write Novatio a tuition check. Any ESA funds remaining after tuition stays in your account and may be used for other approved educational expenses such as tutoring, curriculum, or educational therapies. Every Arizona K-12 resident is eligible, and there is no income threshold to meet.

Does Novatio have academic requirements for admission?

Novatio does not screen students based on grades, test scores, current academic level, or prior school performance. All applicants to Novatio are accepted. That said, admission to Novatio and approval for ESA funding are two separate processes. Your child can be accepted to Novatio while you are still completing ESA paperwork, and Novatio's admissions team can walk you through both steps on a 1:1 call. Book a call with Karissa to ask about your family's specific situation.

What does a school day actually look like?

Students complete approximately two hours of focused, personalized core academics each morning across five subjects: Language, Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science. All students follow a shared subject schedule, but the work within each subject is personalized to each student's current level. During the math block, for example, one student might be strengthening multiplication while another works on algebra. Academics are designed to be done by lunch, and there is no homework. Afternoons are spent in live clubs focused on skills like coding, financial literacy, research, and well-being.

How does personalization actually work, and what role do teachers play?

AI works behind the scenes to build each student's academic plan using real-time assessment data. It places students at the appropriate level in each subject, adjusts learning pathways as they progress, and flags where a teacher may need to step in. Students do not interact with an AI chatbot during academic instruction. Certified teachers provide direct guidance, personalized intervention, and real accountability throughout the school day. When a student gets stuck, a teacher is available, not just another screen. You can read more about the daily structure on the curriculum page.

What does the evidence say about student outcomes?

NWEA MAP data from Novatio's first cohort showed that students learned 4.6 times faster than expected during the measured period. Individual results vary, and that figure reflects the cohort as a whole rather than a guarantee for every student. As a specific example, one Novatio student moved from the 8th to the 80th percentile in reading over one year based on NWEA MAP scores. That is one student's experience, not a typical or promised result, but it reflects what's possible when a student is placed at the right level and given consistent teacher support. Novatio is Cognia-accredited, which means its academic program meets an independent national standard.

What if my child has a learning difference or needs extra support?

Many of the supports Scottsdale families seek for students with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences are built into Novatio's daily model rather than added only after a student begins to struggle. Individual pacing by subject, short focused session blocks, frequent breaks, text-to-speech, and regular teacher check-ins are part of the standard experience. Novatio also offers a Special Education Support Program that may include case management, executive-function coaching, targeted reading support, and one-on-one specialist-led dyslexia intervention. Additional support services carry an added cost, but for students with an IEP or 504, those costs are covered by the state. Learn more about support services or book a call to discuss your child's needs directly.

How do Scottsdale families get started?

Starting is straightforward. The application takes under two minutes, requires no commitment, and has no fee. Once you apply, you'll complete an admissions call to confirm fit and talk through enrollment requirements. If you haven't started the Arizona ESA process yet, the admissions team can help you understand the steps alongside enrollment. Novatio accepts students for grades 2 through 8, and there are no academic entry requirements. If you want to talk through whether Novatio is the right fit before applying, book a 1:1 call with Karissa at no cost.