NYA Diplomas with Distinction

‘‘Discover the possibilities within you at NYA’’

North Yarmouth Academy offers seven Diplomas with Distinction in the Upper School for students with exceptional achievement and specialized interests. The course of study is tailored to fit diverse student experiences, motivations, and goals. Students take ownership of both their program and their learning. Independent studies, seminars, and capstone projects are common components of this program.

Students who successfully earn a NYA Diploma with Distinction receive this distinction along with their NYA diploma and recognition on their official transcript.

STEM science. technology. engineering. mathematics.

The Distinction in STEM allows students to become highly proficient in STEM-related coursework and complete a capstone project addressing a real-world problem. Participants cultivate a depth of aptitude in STEM, pursue STEM-related interests, learn how all STEM disciplines are mutually functional, encourage an appreciation for the importance of STEM in the community, and lay the foundation for STEM-related college studies. Students participate in an ongoing STEM activity outside of the classroom and address a real-world problem utilizing design-thinking and inquiry, case studies, research, and collaboration with other organizations, students, or community members as part of a capstone project.

Complete a capstone project addressing a real-world problem

Engage in significant experiential learning in a community other than your own’’

global citizenship

The Distinction in Global Citizenship allows students to become highly proficient in a second language, demonstrate cultural competency, and engage in significant experiential learning in a community other than their own. Experiences associated with this distinction are designed to cultivate empathy, encourage perspective taking, and provide an understanding of oneself within a wider community. As part of this distinction, students compare and contrast multiple communities’ geographic, historical, artistic, social, or political features.

music performance. entrepreneurship. community.

The Distinction in Music: Performance, Entrepreneurship, and Community allows students to develop high levels of musicianship and engage in a significant experiential endeavor connecting music and the community. Students will cultivate a depth of musical aptitude, develop the ability to promote themselves and other musicians, encourage an appreciation for the importance of community and service, and lay the groundwork for lifelong involvement in music. Students create a personal media platform, including a webpage and press kit, and plan and participate in public performances.

Cultivate a depth of musical aptitude and develop the ability to promote yourself’’

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visual arts

The Distinction in Visual Arts allows students to pursue a course of study where they will become highly proficient in the visual arts and complete a finished portfolio that expresses their views of the world around them. These programmatic areas are in service of cultivating breadth and depth of aptitude in visual arts, pursuing passions in this area of study, learning how all artistic disciplines are linked, encouraging an appreciation for the history of art, and laying the foundation for visual art related college studies.

social advocacy

The Distinction in Social Advocacy allows students to pursue a course of multidisciplinary studies aimed to foster leadership and creative problem-solving while encouraging ethical development. Students will learn to identify and address multileveled social problems while developing skills to be a catalyst for change. As part of this distinction, students are immersed in the history and application of social advocacy, leadership, and character-building, and work to identify and address current, real-world social problems. Students participate in NYA’s Civil Dialogue Group as facilitators and conduct an experiential endeavor working to affect social change in the community.

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Foster leadership and creative problem solving while encouraging ethical development’’

Engage in a significant experiential endeavor and share those skills with others

outdoor & environmental leadership

The Distinction in Outdoor and Environmental Leadership allows students to become highly proficient in outdoor leadership skills and environmental practices, engage in a significant experiential endeavor, and share those skills and experiences with others. Students cultivate advanced level skills in outdoor adventure settings, integrate outdoor experiences into academics, learn to understand themselves within the natural world, and lay the groundwork for lifelong involvement in outdoor adventure and environmental stewardship. Students may choose to pursue either an outdoor leadership or an environmental leadership track.

creativewriting

The Distinction in Creative Writing allows students who have demonstrated experience as creative writers (poetry and/or fiction) to pursue a course of study in which they consolidate and extend their practice. In addition to studying the art and process of creative writing, students will write frequently and assemble a substantial portfolio of original work. Students will also explore the connection between writer and audience, publishing at least a portion of their writing and presenting their work to the public in both formal and informal settings. Students will be encouraged to seek feedback from a professional writer in their area of focus.

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Explore the important connection between writer and audience’’

The NYA Difference ‘‘

The possibilities are endless, and the outcomes are more than you could hope for. Students are empowered to accept challenges, take chances, and try new things all within our safe and supportive community. NYA students are prepared to thrive, whatever comes their way.

our mission

North Yarmouth Academy is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational school. The Academy offers a structured program that establishes clear standards and high expectations in an environment that emphasizes values of mutual respect, trust, and community.

North Yarmouth Academy is dedicated to fostering integrity, character, and intellect in its students.