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NOVA International School Skopje

North Macedonia, Skopje

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees MKD 4,700 - 15,600
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 730
Type Co-educational
Opened 1997
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Macedonian, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Albanian, Serbian, English
Typical class size 6
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

NOVA International School Skopje is an IB World Continuum School offering PK3 through Grade 12 on a campus in Skopje. Founded in 1997, it is the oldest private school in North Macedonia and largest international school in the country. The school delivers the IB Primary Years Programme in Early Education Center and Elementary School, the IB Middle Years Programme in Lower Secondary, and the IB Diploma Programme in Upper Secondary, with TOK, CAS, and Extended Essay as core elements. The Elementary School uses AERO standards aligned with the U.S. Common Core for literacy and numeracy, featuring AERO Science, Social Studies, and World Languages. The campus features buildings connected by a sky bridge and elevator, with on-site science laboratories, art rooms, libraries, cafeterias, indoor amphitheaters, music and dance studios, a drama room, a design studio, and an elementary gym. An adjacent sports center supports PE and events; the campus is wireless.

Prashka 27, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia

The Essentials

NOVA International School Skopje has 730 pupils, typical class sizes of 6, instruction in English.

Location
Prashka 27, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia. The campus is located in a residential neighborhood near the city center and is a purpose-built campus designed to support focus, connection, and student well-being.

Stages
Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 (PK-12).

Type
Co-educational day school; IB World Continuum School offering PYP, MYP, and DP.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Representing more than 40 nationalities; the school community includes international families and staff.

Additional learning support
Student Support Services provide counseling, learning support for mild to moderate learning differences and behavioral challenges, health services with two registered nurses on duty daily, and tutoring by arrangement.

Country affiliation
North Macedonia

School day structure
The Secondary day begins at 8:15 a.m. with 65‑minute classes; the schedule runs on A and B days with four blocks per day. The day ends at 2:35 p.m. (2:15 p.m. on Wednesdays). A FLEX period and advisory sessions support learning and social-emotional development.

Bus service
The bus service is contracted to Transportation Service. The routes run Monday through Friday with morning pickups and an afternoon drop-off in front of the school; routes are finalized in the first week of school and communicated to parents. The semester bus fee is €975 per student (one-way €650); VAT of 5% is included. Sign-up through the Bus Service forms; contact Mr. Nikola Smilkov for questions.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Hot Meal and Breakfast plans are offered and menus are developed with culinary experts and nutritionists, rotating on a four-week cycle. PK3-1 Breakfast is available, and Hot Meal is offered for Grades 2-12 with A and B options. The Hot Meal plan costs €650 per semester and Breakfast costs €295 per semester; sign-up is via online form or contract.

Governance and Ownership
Governance is supported by a Parent-Teacher Association and an Advisory Board. The Director provides overall leadership, with division Principals leading the Early Education Center, Elementary School, and Secondary School; administrative teams oversee finance, facilities, human resources, technology, and operations.
Fees

Annual tuition at NOVA International School Skopje ranges from MKD 4,700 to MKD 15,600 for 2026/27.

Application, Enrollment and Capital Fees
- Application fee (new students): EUR 150 (non-refundable).
- Enrollment fee (Grades 1–12): EUR 450 (payable once on enrollment; not prorated; non-refundable).
- Capital fee (Grades 1–12): EUR 500 for Macedonian-fee status (not prorated; non-refundable). For international families whose employer covers educational costs, a different capital fee amount is listed (EUR 3,000).
- Tuition deposit: EUR 1,000 (non-refundable) required to secure a place; due on signing the tuition contract (deadline stated on the school's tuition schedule).

Annual tuition by year group (listed amounts are annual tuition in EUR) — Macedonian fee level
- Early Education Center (PK3–PK4): EUR 4,700.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 1,175.00 (annual ÷ 4).
- Elementary (Grade K): EUR 5,950.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 1,487.50.
- Elementary (Grades 1–5): EUR 7,950.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 1,987.50.
- Secondary (Grades 6–8): EUR 8,050.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 2,012.50.
- Secondary (Grades 9–10): EUR 8,250.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 2,062.50.
- Secondary (Grades 11–12): EUR 8,300.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 2,075.00.

Annual tuition by year group — International fee level
- Early Education Center (PK3–PK4): EUR 4,700 (listed also with an alternative amount EUR 14,250 for families with employer-covered costs).
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 1,175.00 (or EUR 3,562.50 for EUR 14,250).
- Elementary (Grades K–5): EUR 14,250.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 3,562.50.
- Secondary (Grades 6–8): EUR 14,550.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 3,637.50.
- Secondary (Grades 9–10): EUR 15,550.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 3,887.50.
- Secondary (Grades 11–12): EUR 15,600.
- Per quarter (approx.): EUR 3,900.00.

Other compulsory and optional fees
- IB MYP e‑Assessment fee (optional, Grade 10): approx. EUR 65 per eAssessment.
- IB DP exam fee (optional, Grade 12): approx. EUR 102 per IB exam (amount depends on number of exams taken).
- Graduation fee (Grade 12 only): EUR 100 (not prorated; non-refundable).
- ID Nova card: EUR 10.
- After‑School Activities (ASA) — per trimester: EUR 100 (semester/trimester fees for extracurriculars, daycare, language institute, homework assistance and private tutoring are published and charged separately). Examples from the school's fee portal: Daycare (per semester) EUR 250; Language Institute (per semester) EUR 150; Homework assistance (per trimester) EUR 180; Tutoring (individual) EUR 200 per session (rates vary by format). A transaction processing surcharge applies to card payments (see payment options).

Billing schedule, payment terms and proration
- A contractual tuition agreement is required for each enrolling student. Several payment plans are available; multi‑installment plans attract an additional charge. Bank/wire transfer charges are the responsibility of the payer.
- The tuition deposit (EUR 1,000) must be paid to secure a place and is non‑refundable. Specific deposit deadlines are stated on the school's tuition schedule.
- Late enrollment and early departure are charged on a proration schedule based on academic quarters. Example quarter dates and the corresponding charge/credit percentages for the 2026–27 year are published (1st Quarter through 4th Quarter with percentages that determine the tuition charged or credited). The school uses these quarter periods when calculating tuition for mid‑term enrollments or withdrawals. Quarterly proration examples are published with specific dates and percentage charge/credit levels.

Refunds and activity cancellations
- The tuition deposit is non‑refundable. Enrollment, capital and graduation fees are not prorated and are non‑refundable.
- For after‑school activities (ASA): there is no refund if a family discontinues attendance during a semester; if the school cancels an activity the fee will be pro‑rated and refunded to enrolled students. Other refunds or prorations for school‑cancelled items are handled according to the school's policies.

Boarding
- NOVA is a PK–12 day school; there are no boarding facilities or boarding fees.

Payment methods and payment processing
- Online card payments (credit/debit) are accepted through the school's payment portal; card transactions require the payer to supply card details and are subject to a processing surcharge (example: a transaction fee percentage is shown on the payment portal). Payments made through the portal are registered with the school (allow up to one working day for registration).
- Wire/bank transfers are accepted; any bank charges or wire fees are the responsibility of the payer. Multi‑installment payment plans are available but may incur additional fees.

Notes on calculations shown above
- Per‑quarter amounts presented under each year group are the annual tuition divided by four and shown as approximate quarterly amounts for billing/proration reference; the school's published proration and quarter dates are used for mid‑term enrollment/withdrawal calculations.
Academics

NOVA International School Skopje teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers an IB continuum from PK3 through Grade 12. The Early Education Center (EEC) and Elementary School (ES) teach the Primary Years Programme (PYP). The ES follows the American Education Reaches Out (AERO) standards aligned with U.S. Common Core in literacy and numeracy, and includes AERO Science, Social Studies, and World Languages. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is authorized for grades 6–10, with eight subject groups and service learning; students complete a Personal Project in Grade 10. The Diploma Programme (DP) for grades 11–12 comprises six subject groups and the DP core: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay. NOVA is an IB World School since 2006 and the IB framework is used PK3 through Grade 12.

Student Teacher Ratio
The school has 520 students and 70 faculty members (64 full‑time and 6 part‑time), yielding an approximate student–teacher ratio of 7.4 to 1.

Exam Results
In May 2024, 48 candidates obtained the Diploma; the average DP score was 5.13 and the highest score was 44 points, with 33 diploma recipients and a global comparison showing a passing rate around 80%. The school notes that 80% passed the Diploma Programme in that session.

Higher Education Progression
The school reports 181 university acceptances across 99 universities in 19 countries for the Class of 2026, with graduates enrolling in universities worldwide. Notable destinations include Brown University, Harvard College, New York University, University of Toronto, Imperial College London, King's College London, Leiden University, University College London, University of Groningen, Utrecht University, Bocconi University, Delft University of Technology, IE University, and others.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides counselling guidance focusing on students' academic, personal, and social-emotional development, with guidance sessions held twice a month in both the Elementary and Secondary divisions. Students in need receive mental health, social-emotional well-being, or academic progress support through Responsive Services. A Learning Support (LS) team assists students with mild to moderate learning differences and emotional or behavioral challenges, helping develop emotional regulation, self-management, decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. The Student Support Services links students, families, school resources, and community-based health and social services to support well-being. Health services are provided by two registered nurses on site, who attend to health, provide health promotion, and can discuss troubling emotional or social matters with students. Tutoring is available on request to support learning, with processes managed through the Tutor Request Form.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Support is provided for students with mild to moderate learning differences, learning gaps, and behavioral or emotional challenges, delivered one-on-one or in small groups. The LS team uses evidence-based strategies to address identified needs and increase academic and personal success, helping students become self-reliant and develop learning skills.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
NOVA offers an English as an Additional Language (EAL) support program for students whose current English language proficiency may limit their ability to fully access the curriculum and participate confidently in mainstream classes. As a member of the WIDA International School Consortium, the school uses WIDA's standards and assessments to determine language proficiency and appropriate level of support. The EAL program includes a combination of push-in and pull-out support with small-group instruction by trained EAL teachers during the regular school day. Assessments may be adapted until students reach proficiency; the type and duration of EAL support are determined collaboratively by homeroom and EAL teachers following formal assessment. After-school tutoring may also be available for an additional cost.

Mental Wellbeing
Counselling and guidance focus on students' emotional health and resilience, with twice-monthly sessions across both divisions. Responsive Services provide mental health, social-emotional well-being, and academic progress support as needed. On-site health staff includes two registered nurses who promote health and can discuss troubling emotional or social matters with students. The Learning Support team helps students build emotional competencies such as emotional regulation, self-management, and relationship skills to support ongoing mental well-being. The school fosters a supportive environment that encourages healthy coping strategies and resilience.

Safeguarding
NOVA International School Skopje follows the WHO definition of child abuse and neglect and aligns with the International Taskforce on Child Protection. The school aims to provide a safe, positive, and stimulating environment that supports students' academic, social, physical, and moral development. Safeguarding procedures raise staff awareness, maintain structured procedures for suspected abuse, and develop relationships with external agencies responsible for child welfare. Staff and volunteers with contact with children are checked for suitability, and all staff are obliged to report suspected incidences of abuse or neglect. During distance learning, safeguarding guidelines are adapted to keep students safe.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1997, NOVA International School Skopje is the oldest registered private school in North Macedonia and the largest international educational institution in the country. It is a PK-12 independent, university-preparatory, co-educational day school near the city center. It is an International Baccalaureate World Continuum School. Governance is supported by an active Parent-Teacher Association and an Advisory Board.

Community
NOVA International School Skopje is a close-knit, international community where children are known, supported, and encouraged to grow with confidence. Students represent more than 40 nationalities. Learning takes place on a purpose-built campus near the city center. Education is intentionally balanced, with strong academics alongside personal growth, relationships, and care for each learner's journey.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The NOVA PTA strengthens the relationship between students' parents and the school, contributing to the wider community. PTA initiatives include community-based charities and fundraisers to boost belonging and raise awareness of social issues. It organises social events for the greater benefit of all and helps new families transition to NOVA. The PTA's primary goal is to reinforce the school's mission and facilitate communication among parents, teachers, and students. The NOVA PTA meets monthly and holds two General Assembly Meetings per school year, with activities such as monthly coffee morning meet-ups, a start-of-year social event, fall and spring festival activities for elementary students, and winter and spring fundraising events. To get involved or learn more, email pta@nova.edu.mk.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
NOVA's campus includes purpose-built buildings for the Early Education Center, Elementary School, Lower Secondary School, and Upper Secondary School. A sky bridge and a panoramic elevator connect the buildings, with separate buildings housing Student Support Services, administration, and the business offices. Outdoor areas include three gated playgrounds, a small soccer field, a basketball court, and a large outdoor amphitheater. The campus is fully wireless and provides a wide range of learning spaces, including science laboratories, art rooms, libraries, cafeterias, indoor amphitheaters, music and dance studios, a drama room, an elementary gym, and a design studio. An adjacent sports and recreational center is used for physical education classes, larger events, and competitions.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor facilities include three gated playgrounds, a small soccer field, a basketball court, and a large outdoor amphitheater. An adjacent sports and recreational center is used for physical education classes, larger events, and competitions.

Academic Facilities
Science laboratories are on campus. Art rooms, libraries, cafeterias, indoor amphitheaters, music and dance studios, and a drama room are on campus. An elementary gym and a design studio are also available. The campus is fully wireless.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Indoor amphitheaters, music and dance studios, and a drama room host performances and clubs. The adjacent sports and recreational center supports physical education and events outside the regular school day.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
NOVA is an IB World Continuum School delivering all three IB programmes on one campus: the Primary Years Programme (PK3–Grade 5), the Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10), and the Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). Learning follows an inquiry-based framework, with progress tracked through MAP assessments in mathematics and reading and MYP eAssessments. From pre-kindergarten to graduation, NOVA provides a clear and coherent learning journey across disciplines, underpinned by a culture of care and high expectations.

Arts & Creative
Specialist classes in art, music, dance, and physical education are part of the core programme. The co-curriculars include Ballet, Choir, Junior Hip‑Hop, Hip‑Hop, Art Explorers Club, Drama Club, and other performing arts activities. These opportunities extend learning beyond the classroom and support creativity, collaboration, and presentation skills.

Cultural & Language
The language of instruction is English; Macedonian language classes are offered across the school, and students may study French, German, or Spanish. NOVA's Language Institute offers two language programs—a Mother-tongue program and a World Language program—with languages including French, Mandarin, Spanish, English for parents, Macedonian for parents, Albanian (native speakers), Serbian, and Greek.

Social & Hobbies
Co-curriculars provide a wide range of after-school experiences in athletics, visual and performing arts, music, programming, and community service. Student-led clubs cover many interests, including Hiking Club, NOVA Film Club, Film Club, Stock Exchange and Finance Club, The Authors' Club, Mental Health and Awareness Club, Macedonian Culture Club, NOVA Times, Dance Club, Model United Nations, The Art Club, Youth Democracy and Politics Club, The Crochet Club, French Club, Chess Club, Knowledge Plus, and Book Club. These clubs offer leadership roles and regular meeting schedules.

Community & Service
Service as Action is integrated across NOVA's co-curricular life and student activities. Week Without Walls combines Creativity, Activity, and Service, with trips or Skopje-based experiences that connect learning to the local and wider community. The NOVA community also fosters service through clubs, parent involvement through the Parent Teacher Association, and opportunities to engage with community partners.

Leadership & Professional
Students have formal opportunities to lead through the Student Council and through clubs and the SuperNOVA program.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The campus is purpose-built to support focus, connection, and student well-being. The SuperNOVA program and ASA activities promote physical activity, teamwork, resilience, and healthy competition. Week Without Walls and the Houses Competition contribute to well-being, community, and balanced development.
Languages

Language Provision
From pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, NOVA provides language learning through the Language Institute and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support. LI languages include French, Mandarin, Spanish, Albanian (native speakers), Serbian, Greek, Macedonian for parents, and English for parents. The EAL program uses WIDA standards to determine proficiency and appropriate support, with push-in and pull-out instruction during the school day; students exit EAL once proficiency targets are met, and after-school tutoring may be available.

Bilingual Teaching
The Language Institute offers two language learning tracks: a Mother-tongue program and a World Language program. Beginners and advanced levels of language study are available. The languages offered include French, Mandarin, Spanish, Albanian (for native speakers), Serbian, and Greek. There are language offerings for parents, including English for parents and Macedonian for parents.

Immersion Programs
The Language Institute provides two tracks (Mother-tongue and World Language) with beginner to advanced levels, supporting immersion in multiple languages. Languages offered include French, Mandarin, Spanish, Albanian (native speakers), Serbian, Greek. Macedonian for parents and English for parents are also offered as parent-language programs.
Admissions

Admissions
Talk to the admissions team in person or online and ask everything. They provide direct information about NOVA and its admissions process. They will tell you honestly when NOVA may not be the right fit. They can arrange a campus visit at a time that fits your schedule. The language of instruction is English; Macedonian language classes are offered across the school, and students can study French, German or Spanish. The five steps of the process are: Talk to the admissions team, Apply online, Send documents, Assessment and interview, and the final Decision. The admissions team responds to inquiries with named contacts and can help book visits. The process starts with an inquiry if you are unsure which option to pursue.

Scholarships
NOVA Boris Trajkovski Scholarship was established in 2005 in honor of the late Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, and the 2026-2027 academic year marks the 21st year of partnership with the BT International Foundation. The program provides full-tuition scholarships for high school students in grades 9-12 and has supported 68 matriculations between 2005 and 2026. For 2026-2027, recipients are Iva Buhova, Jakov Grujovski, and Una Trajkovska. The application process includes a Round 1 video essay and reflection; top candidates proceed to Round 2 Selection Day, where English language proficiency and math skills are tested.
School Events
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