2018 NSU Fact Book

73 N SU University School, founded in 1971, is a fully accredited, college preparatory day school that provides academic programs for students in junior kindergarten through grade 12. The school provides a supportive environment for the development of children, teaching them to think, solve problems, and develop leadership skills within an ethical framework. Programming atNSUUniversitySchool is individualized and exceptional. The campus is made up of Lower, Middle, and Upper School buildings, as well as two Sports Centers that house basketball courts, locker rooms, classrooms, athletic training rooms. The campus also features a state-of-the-art Aquatics Center featuring an Olympic- sized swimming pool as well as a 70,800-square-foot Center for the Arts that houses a 750-seat auditorium; an art gallery; dry and wet art studios; choral, band, and forensics practice rooms; and more. Lower School As part of the Lower School learning experience, faculty members offer varied opportunities for all students to think on critical levels and apply creative problem-solving skills through individual and small- group projects, discussions and debates, and experiential activities. Teachers use instructional technology in the classroom to enrich all areas of the curriculum. NSU University School Lower School students acquire experience through hands-on activities and exposure to the arts, athletics, and academic excellence. Students reinforce their social skills and learn about community responsibilities through the Guidance Program and the social environment of the Lower School. One unique component of NSU University School’s Lower School is the Dr. Elizabeth Brennan Center for Academic Success, an early intervention program that provides a specialized academic program for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. Middle School Middle school is an exciting time for early adolescents as they begin to transition from the intermediate learning levels to high school-level academics. The rigorous academic program addresses individual needs and offers both developmentally appropriate middle school courses and an opportunity for advanced students to accelerate their schedules. When appropriate, some of our highest- achieving students take Upper School-level courses in math and science. The Middle School recognizes the critical social- emotional elements necessary for this age group to be academically successful. A specially designed advisory program extends the typical school guidance functions to the classroom level, helping students face some of the hurdles of adolescence—time management, decision making, academic scheduling, personal organization, interpersonal skills, and peer pressure. Upper School Academic classes are offered at the basic, regular, honors, advanced placement, and advanced topic levels. The performing arts and athletic programs offer competitive, educational, and skill-building programs that support a diverse student population. The Speech and Debate Team is in the top 1 percent of all speech and debate programs nationally, the music program has been represented at all-state and all-county competitions, the Robotics Team is number one in Florida, and students in the arts have had their work displayed in the United States capital and New York City’s World Financial Center. The athletic program, recognized as one of the top programs in the region, places emphasis on the student-athlete and honors achievement both on the playing field and in the classroom. The combination of an excellent academic foundation and outstanding college counseling has led many NSU University School students to attend some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities. NSU University School