Finding the right school in Round Rock isn't always straightforward. Some families are dealing with a student who's ahead in math but behind in reading, others are watching a capable child disengage in a classroom that can't move at their pace, and some are simply ready for a school experience that fits their family's life. Novatio is a Cognia-accredited virtual private school for grades 2–8 that personalizes academics to each student's current level and pairs that with direct support from certified teachers throughout the school day.

What is Novatio and who is it for?

Novatio is a private, virtual, Cognia-accredited school serving students in grades 2 through 8. Students complete approximately two hours of focused, personalized core academics each morning in language, reading, math, social studies, and science, then spend their afternoons in live clubs built around practical skills and real projects. It's designed for families who want a structured, accountable school day without the friction that comes from a one-size classroom. Novatio accepts students without academic entry requirements, so placement decisions are based on your child's current skills, not their grade label.

How does Novatio personalize learning for each student?

All students follow a shared daily subject schedule, but the work inside each block is adjusted to where that student actually is. During the math block, one student might be building fluency with fractions while another is working through pre-algebra. AI works behind the scenes to assess performance in real time, place each student at the right starting point, and adjust the learning path as they progress. This matters especially for students who are strong in one subject and behind in another, because Novatio can move them forward in math without waiting for reading to catch up, or vice versa. Learn more about how this works on the curriculum page.

What do certified teachers actually do at Novatio?

Technology handles the personalization of the learning plan, but certified teachers provide the direct guidance, intervention, and human support students need during the school day. When a student gets stuck, a teacher steps in. Teachers monitor progress, provide accountability, offer additional explanation, and build the kind of relationship that keeps students engaged. One parent described it this way: 'This is NOT an AI school, this is a school that applies features of AI to customized learning for each child.' Students are not left alone with a program to figure things out independently.

What real results have Novatio students achieved?

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 cohort-level data rather than a guaranteed outcome for every student. As a more specific example, one Novatio student moved from the 8th to the 80th percentile in reading over one year, based on NWEA MAP scores. That's one student's experience, not an average, but it illustrates what's possible when a student is placed at the right level and supported consistently. For families whose child has been falling further behind each year, that kind of academic momentum is what they're looking for.

How do Round Rock families pay for Novatio?

Novatio's tuition for Texas families is $8,500 per school year. Families who receive a TEFA award through the Texas Education Agency can use those funds to cover Novatio's tuition in full. TEFA is not universally awarded, so Texas families need to apply separately and receive a TEFA award before selecting Novatio through the TEFA portal. Novatio accepts students without academic entry requirements, but TEFA approval is a separate process that Novatio does not control. Once a TEFA award is confirmed, families complete Novatio's enrollment requirements and get started. If you have questions about whether your family qualifies, the admissions team can help you think through the process.

What do students do in the afternoons?

Afternoons at Novatio are built around live clubs that run in sessions of roughly nine to eleven weeks. Clubs are designed around a real challenge, not just a topic. In one session a student might build and publish a Scratch game through Game On, working toward a community audience on the Scratch platform. In another, they might work through a 30-day well-being system adapted from Yale's Science of Well-Being course, or defend a position they personally disagree with in a Model UN-style club called The Summit. Not every club is offered every session, but the structure is consistent: a meaningful challenge, a teacher coaching the process, and a measurable outcome to work toward.

Does Novatio support students with learning differences?

Many of the supports at Novatio are built into the daily model rather than added only after a student begins to struggle. Individual pacing by subject, short focused session blocks, frequent breaks, teacher monitoring, and personalized intervention are part of how the school operates for every student. For students who need additional support, Novatio offers a Special Education Support Program that can include case management, executive-function coaching, targeted reading support, and one-on-one specialist-led dyslexia intervention. For students with an IEP or 504, additional support costs are covered by the state. For more detail on what's available, visit the special education support page.

How do Round Rock families get started?

The application takes under two minutes, has no fee, and carries no commitment. Because TEFA funding is a separate process from Novatio admission, families in Round Rock who are thinking about enrollment often benefit from a direct conversation first. You can book a 1:1 call with Karissa to talk through fit, funding, your child's current academic situation, and what the enrollment process looks like for your family. There's no pressure and no deadline designed to rush you. The right next step is the one that helps you make a confident decision.