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Ceiba Nova: Not School As Usual
Welcome to Ceiba Nova Exploratory—where learning is personal, purposeful, and powerful.
Ceiba Nova is an Exploratory—a micro-school with macro-infrastructure—where education is rooted in respect, adaptability, and possibility. Here, every learner is an Explorer, guided by curiosity, creativity, and courage.
While we meet all standards and credential requirements to be recognized as a school in multiple countries, we believe education has been deeply harmed by systems shaped by corporate, political, and institutional agendas. Learning that is meaningful, rigorous, and lasting cannot be reduced to one-size-fits-all models, scripted programs, limited exposures, or standardized tests.
Every Explorer at Ceiba Nova follows a Mentored Adventure Plan (MAP)—a fully personalized, evolving learning guide that clearly outlines each student’s support needs, interventions, interests, goals, and academic pathways. It grows with the learner, ensuring progress not just in academics, but in identity, purpose, and personal strengths.
We serve students who’ve been overlooked, underestimated, or simply need something different. Our Exploratory blends academic rigor with purposeful projects, community connection, and whole-human growth—ensuring every child can thrive without sacrificing their childhood to rote learning or conformity.
Our Approach: The Explorer's Compass
At Ceiba Nova, we believe learning should:
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Start with wonder, not fear.
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Be production-based—focused on meaningful creations and solutions, not just busywork.
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Connect core academic standards to real life, personal passions, and community impact.
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Celebrate diverse learning styles, cultures, and identities.
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Prioritize ethical choices, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
Our learning philosophy is rooted in exploration, empathy, and equity.
We follow flexible rhythms, meet students where they are, and help them grow toward where they want to be. Read The Explorer's Compass here.
How It Works
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Mentored
Adventure Plan (MAP)
Every student has a MAP—a personalized learning guide shaped by student input, family goals, and teacher mentorship.
This plan is reviewed regularly and grows with the student.
*Think IEP meets student interest & goals.
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Badges + Production-Based Learning
Like in a scouts program, our students earn badges for demonstrated mastery of skills, knowledge, or community contributions.
These badges are standards-aligned, ensuring students are learning & applying governments' mandated knowledge in tangible, meaningful ways.
Our focus isn’t on projects—it’s on producing real, useful work that connects to personal interests and academic standards.
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No Age-Based
Grade Levels
At Ceiba Nova, we don’t assign students to grade levels based on age. Instead, every student has a Mentored Adventure Plan (MAP) that reflects their current strengths, academic readiness, and personal goals—whether that places them at advanced levels in some subjects, emerging skills in others, or anywhere in between.
This flexible approach ensures your child can move ahead when ready without being held back by arbitrary age cutoffs, while also receiving extra time or support when needed—without stigma or labels.
We carefully document student progress through standards-based grading, which means your child’s achievements are clearly aligned to specific academic competencies and transferable to other schools. Whether your family moves or your child transitions to a traditional school later on, their records will show exactly what they’ve mastered and where they’re headed next.
This model removes the limitations of traditional grade levels while supporting steady, meaningful progress in every subject.
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Tracks + Progression
As Explorers grow in readiness, they may opt into specialized tracks for deeper study in areas like technology, arts, global communications, entrepreneurship, or environmental inquiry.
These tracks are designed for advanced Pathmakers and Stargazers, and are always integrated with the student’s MAP.
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Standards-Based, Competency-Driven Grading
We don’t use traditional letter grades or percentage scores.
Instead, students are assessed using clear, objective rubrics on a 0–5 scale that tracks mastery of skills and knowledge over time:
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0 = Insufficient Data
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1 = Beginning
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3 = Developing
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4 = Competent
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5 = Distinguished Mastery (elevates recognition but does not alter base credit value)
Students can demonstrate their learning in multiple ways—through projects, portfolios, discussions, and hands-on work—not just tests.
This grading method is internationally recognized, designed to translate clearly for university admissions and academic records, and is recognized for its fairness, clarity, and alignment with the skills many universities and employers now prioritize.
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Learning Rhythms: Phases + Cycles
Phases: Shared, structured learning themes explored by all students during a set time period (about 10 weeks).
Cycles: Individual learning rhythms that follow each student’s personal pace for skill-building, mastery, and creative projects.