October 29, 2025
The Parent Perspective: Why NuVu Works
"NuVu prepares them better than any traditional classroom could.”
When parents first encounter NuVu High School, many admit to feeling a little unsure. A school that breaks the mold — one that doesn’t look like what you’re used to — may feel unfamiliar at first. Maybe even a little risky. But for families who have taken that leap, NuVu has proven to be more than an alternative: it’s a model for the future of education.
Recently, we spoke with two parents — Monica Giffin and Anne Perticone — whose sons each discovered confidence and a creative spark through project-based learning. Their stories share a common thread: discovering a place where their children could thrive by learning the way people actually work in the world — through collaboration, curiosity, and creation.
“Why couldn’t I have gone someplace like that?”
For Monica, an MIT alum and engineer at Raytheon, education has always been a topic close to home. “I’ve always been interested in how we can better educate,” she says. “As an engineer, I believe people learn best when they can explore their own interests and follow where their curiosity leads.”
When she first heard about NuVu’s hands-on, project-based model — one that mirrors the agile teamwork she uses daily in her own field — it instantly resonated. “I look at the way NuVu students work — peer review, iteration, collaboration — and I think, a kid coming out of there could walk into one of my teams and contribute on day one.”
For her son David, that kind of environment wasn’t just a better fit — it was life-changing. After struggling to stay engaged in large, traditional classrooms, he needed a place that matched his intellect, curiosity, and pace. “He hadn’t missed a day at NuVu last year,” Monica says proudly. “That tells me he wants to be there.”
At NuVu, David has not only found close friends and collaborators among fellow students — he’s also discovered a renewed sense of purpose. “He’s gone from being withdrawn to independent, confident, and social,” Monica says. “He’s blossomed. This environment gave him back his spark.”
“We had no idea anything like this even existed.”
Anne and her husband discovered NuVu through their pediatrician, who recommended it for their creative, tech-minded son, Andrew. “We thought, why not give it a shot?” Anne recalls. “We went to an Open House and were blown away. We had no idea a school like this even existed.”
From the beginning, she noticed something striking: the way students communicated. “At those first presentations, I was amazed — these kids were so articulate and confident. Their ability to explain complex projects clearly showed how deeply they understood their work.”
Anne saw Andrew quickly build critical skills: collaboration, presentation, leadership, and problem-solving. “He’s become so much more confident,” she says. “He’s social, he loves working in a group, and he’s developed leadership skills that will serve him for life.”
One of the biggest lessons she’s seen Andrew learn is resilience. “At NuVu, students learn that failure isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of solving the problem,” she says. “That mindset is so valuable. It reframes how you see challenges.”
A new definition of learning
Both parents emphasize that NuVu’s nontraditional structure is precisely what makes it so effective. “I don’t think traditional school is a fit for everybody,” Anne says. “At NuVu, students integrate knowledge instead of memorizing it. They learn by doing — and that’s a much more modern, meaningful way to learn.”
Monica agrees. “Public schools are often constrained by curriculum,” she says. “At NuVu, students have the freedom to explore, to make, to lead. It’s education that mirrors how the real world works.”
Words of advice
And for parents still hesitant to take that leap? Both women have advice.
“Try it for a semester,” Anne suggests. “That’s what we did — and Andrew immediately said, This is perfect for me.You’ll see the difference right away.”
Monica adds, “Don’t be afraid of something different. The world your kids are entering is collaborative, fast-moving, and creative. NuVu prepares them for that world better than any traditional classroom could.”
