Novatio, an Arizona-based private virtual school eligible for the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program, has earned Cognia Accreditation, a globally recognized mark of educational quality. The designation places the school within a network of more than 40,000 institutions worldwide and reflects adherence to rigorous standards across instruction, leadership, and student outcomes.
“Earning Cognia Accreditation is a big moment for our school community,” says Karissa Ham, Head of School at Novatio. “It shows the care and intention behind how we support each student, and our commitment to continuing to improve for the families who trust us with their education.”
Cognia, a nonprofit that evaluates schools across more than 90 countries, does not hand out recognition lightly. Its process examines everything from leadership and instruction to resource alignment and long-term outcomes, requiring schools to demonstrate not only performance, but the systems behind it.
“Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school community on ensuring students can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments,” says Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia. “We commend Novatio for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”
At Novatio, those indicators are not theoretical. They are measurable.
Fall-to-winter NWEA MAP assessment results show students achieving 4.5 times the expected mid-year academic growth compared to national norms. Using NWEA’s nationally normed annual targets, adjusted to reflect mid-year benchmarks, Novatio students surpassed expectations at a pace that signals both acceleration and consistency.
“These results reflect what can happen when students are given both flexibility and accountability in a personalized virtual setting,” Ham says. “Our families choose Novatio because they want a tailored learning experience. The 4.5 times growth demonstrates that individualized instruction, supported by real-time data and AI-driven tools, can produce meaningful academic acceleration.”
The structure behind those results looks markedly different from a traditional classroom. At Novatio, students do not move forward based on time spent in a seat. They advance when they demonstrate mastery. Instruction happens in real time, supported by AI-driven tools that continuously adapt to each learner’s needs, while teachers, academic coaches, and support staff provide ongoing guidance. For some students, that means moving faster than they ever have before. For others, it means finally receiving support at the moment they need it, not weeks later.
The model has proven especially impactful for students who have struggled to fit into conventional systems, including many neurodivergent learners. Shorter, focused academic blocks, built-in support systems, and opportunities beyond core coursework create a structure that prioritizes both progress and well-being.
Cognia Accreditation adds a new layer to that foundation. It signals that Novatio is not only producing strong academic outcomes, but doing so within a framework that meets internationally recognized standards for quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
For families, Cognia Accreditation offers a clearer, third-party validation of how the school operates and performs:
- Verified Quality: Novatio meets Cognia’s research-based standards for instruction, leadership, and student outcomes.
- Ongoing Oversight: The school is regularly evaluated to ensure continued progress and accountability.
- National Context: Accreditation aligns Novatio with established benchmarks used across schools nationwide.
- Informed Choice: Families have an independent measure to evaluate the school beyond marketing claims.
- Long-Term Commitment: Accreditation is maintained through a six-year cycle with continued review and improvement.
As more Arizona families look beyond traditional options, Novatio’s combination of verified quality and measurable growth is positioning it as more than an alternative. It is becoming a model to watch. Enrollment remains open for Arizona families exploring ESA-funded virtual private school options. To learn more about Novatio, visit novatio.school.
