Like so many other students, Jasmine Horowitz first learned of NuVu High School through the NuVu Summer program. “I started the camps when I was in fifth or sixth grade—and although I was very involved in other tech camps, NuVu’s immediately felt different,” recalls Jasmine.

The key element she connected to was the sense of intention in each of her summer projects. With tangible subjects that related to her world, the type of learning she discovered each summer carried a weight her traditional schooling was missing.

While a strong student with good grades, Jasmine says she was struggling socially at her current school. So when she found herself sitting around the table with her parents one night, she recalls sharing her struggles. “In that moment my parents were like, ‘Well, you could try NuVu—we just got an email about their high school?’ And it seemed like the most amazing idea I had ever heard. I didn't even know it was an option. I had no idea I could do that! So the second it was brought up, I was all in.”

A Whole New World

Entering as an eighth grader, Jasmine says she immediately felt at home. “The community was incredibly, incredibly welcoming,” she remembers. “And my intro class had some people that I'm still extremely close with who have since graduated, and others who are will be graduating next year that I know I’ll remain friends with. I feel like these are friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Aside from the community, the work at NuVu broadened her scope in ways she hadn’t realized existed. Although a self-described mathophile, Jasmine says NuVu tapped into the feeling of uncovering something new outside of her interests—learning moments that felt like grand, lightbulb breakthroughs.

Another way she appreciates her time at NuVu is how much her interests have expanded. “I had always been very passionate about computer science. So being able to take all of the computer science energy bursting inside of me, and allow it to explode and come out creatively in new ways through the projects I was working on ultimately led to exploring new mediums like engineering, industrial design, and UX.

Projects That Inspire

When asked what project resonates most over her four years at NuVu, Jasmine admits she has many, but PRES really stands out. Working with a Beaver Country Day student (Beaver students regularly attend sessions at NuVu through a collaboration between schools), they set out to improve the presentation skills of NuVu students.

With the goal of trying to solve problems such as poor communication, lack of eye contact, and ineffective slides, “we believed that a project is only as good as the story it's able to tell,” she explains. “And if you can't tell that story properly, then the project loses so much value.” After weeks of research into what makes a strong presentation, the group created a website offering feedback and tips on becoming a more engaging presenter. “Today it's one of my most memorable projects,” she shares.

When asked why it is important to be a good presenter, Jasmine replies, “What is it about presenting at NuVu  that's NOt a valuable skill?” Recalling her early days at NuVu, she says she mumbled, read off her slides, and didn’t engage with her peers at all.

“After a couple of years and a lot of coach feedback, I've become somebody who is so much more confident in how I'm speaking, who has vocal intonations, and is just more natural,” she says. “Those are the skills—when I've gone out into jobs, worked as a summer intern—those have really been the most helpful skills.”

Expanding Universe

In the four years that Jasmine has been at NuVu, she says graduating a year early is a testament to all she’s accomplished. From the expansion of her interests, to deep self-confidence, to strong communication skills, NuVu has provided her with a clear understanding of how she works best.

“I was fine at doing math and doing science, but I didn't really understand how I worked or learned. And I think that if I had stayed at a traditional school, I would have gotten swamped and burned out by things like math, which I have continued to love.”

Upon Graduation

What’s Jasmine’s advice for families considering NuVu? “If you're somebody who has a ton of passion about something generally in STEM, or a passion for art or want to do something more interdisciplinary at the intersection between art and design, I think NuVu would be an incredible place for you—And if you have an idea what you want to do, NuVu will be an incredible sandbox that allows you to play around and figure out what you're really going to do with life—and that’s  something you won’t get at any other school.”

‍