Learn Croatian: Ova škola je nova.

The word for 'this' changes depending on the gender of the noun it points to. Since škola ends in '-a', it is a feminine noun. Therefore, we must use the feminine form ova.

Does nova also end in '-a' because of škola?

Exactly! Just like the word for 'this', adjectives must match the gender of the noun they describe. The base dictionary word for 'new' is nov, but because škola is feminine, we add an '-a' to make it nova.

The word je usually goes in the second position. Why is it the third word here?

That is a great observation! The rule for these unstressed words is that they take the second position, which can mean the second 'block of meaning' rather than strictly the second word. Ova škola functions together as one single subject block, taking up the first position. So, je correctly sits right after it.

Could ova be used to mean 'that'?

No, ova strictly means 'this' (referring to something very close to the speaker). Croatian uses completely different demonstrative words for 'that' depending on how far away the object is.