A winter 1998 start is also a possibility. The University's philosophy for charter schools is guided by principles developed and refined in consultation with the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Committee of the Board. Ferris' focus is on secondary trade academies and other secondary public school academies with a strong career emphasis. The Nova Technical Academy has proposed a secondary vocational-technical curriculum that will develop skills in areas where critical labor shortages exist, including manufacturing technology and computer technology. The proposed charter school will serve at-risk students beginning with grade 9 and eventually including grades 9 through 12.
Work study is planned as a part of the applied nature of the program.