For many families, NuVu first appears on the radar as a high school. Yet some students begin the studio experience earlier—in 8th grade—and that timing can shape how they approach learning in meaningful ways.

At its core, NuVu is built around design studios: collaborative environments where students research, prototype, test ideas, and present their work. Through this process, they engage deeply with art, technology, engineering, and design. For students entering in 8th grade, the experience offers something unique—a chance to begin developing habits of deep curiosity before high school begins.

One advantage is simply developmental timing. The middle school years are often a moment of intense change. Students are beginning to form a sense of identity and curiosity about the world, yet many traditional school environments become increasingly rigid during these years. NuVu’s Creative Director Nada Elsonni has seen firsthand how that tension can affect students.

“Middle school can become a bottleneck,” she explains. “Students have a lot of energy and curiosity at that age, but the structure often limits how they can express it. In a studio environment, they have space to explore who they are and what they’re interested in.”

That exploration matters. At 13, many students are still open to new ways of thinking and learning. Starting in a studio model during that window allows them to develop habits—iteration, critique, collaboration—that become second nature over time.

Nada has seen the long-term effects. “Some of the students who began here in 8th grade went on to become some of our strongest seniors,” she says. “They understand the design process early, so by the time they reach advanced studios, they can push their projects further and have greater impact.”

The studio model also introduces students to something that many middle school environments avoid: learning through experimentation and feedback. For Dean of Students Jon Turnquist, that experience is particularly valuable at this age.

“There’s definitely a learning curve,” he says. “Students have to figure out how to plan a project, collaborate with teammates, and receive critique on their work. Those are difficult skills at any age.”

But that challenge is also the opportunity. Because NuVu studios are highly collaborative and mentored environments, students are able to practice those skills in a supportive setting.

“It gives them a chance to learn through trial and error,” Jon explains. “They’re working with coaches who are excited to collaborate with them and help them grow.”

That growth often appears in practical ways. Students begin developing foundational design skills—sketching, prototyping, using software tools—but they also build habits that extend beyond technical ability. Learning to brainstorm, revise ideas, and separate personal identity from the work they produce are all key parts of the studio process.

For some students, beginning this work alongside older peers can also be powerful. 8th graders often collaborate with high school students, observing how more experienced studio participants approach projects and presentations.

“Being around older students can have a really positive impact,” Jon says. “Younger students see what’s possible and start developing stronger work habits themselves.”

Perhaps most importantly, the studio model gives students a reason to care about how they learn. Instead of developing organizational and planning skills simply to complete assignments, those skills emerge naturally as students pursue projects that matter to them.

“When students are intrinsically motivated by the work,” Jon notes, “they start to see why those skills matter.”

For some students, that combination—hands-on learning, mentorship, and the freedom to explore interests—makes 8th grade an ideal entry point into the NuVu experience. It’s not about accelerating high school. Instead, it’s about giving curious students the space to begin discovering how they learn best.

And sometimes, starting a little earlier makes all the difference.

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