North Star Academy

North Star Academy did not meet the needs of my child, he is gifted in the reading area, and always felt bored. Further more, a teacher picked on him throughout a couple of years for being a little bit different. And he was a very good student, he got all A's in all subjects that the teacher taught. The citizenship they teach is ok, but a couple teachers don't abide by the citizenship that is taught. There is also a big popularity issue in every grade, and class and it made his self esteem very low. We will not be returning.
--Submitted by a parent

Northstar Academy has been an incredible experience for our two children. We have never attended a school that has such incredible teachers and principal. The school is highly focused on the student s education. It is a warm and friendly environment with extremely dedicated teachers. I can t say enough about the principal, Ms. Haw s. What a very talented educator and woman she is. Under her leadership, the students are disciplined, and are taught good citizenship. We feel privileged to have our children attend such a fine school.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our first year at NSA. We moved from our neighborhood school. This was the best academic decision we have made for our children. The curriculum is rigorous, but the teachers do an amazing job of teaching the children. Classrooms are organized and interesting. The lessons are thorough, consistent and fun. There is constant feedback on how our children are progressing. The principal is a dynamic leader who is always visible. She often has lunch with the students and has an open door policy. The character development is reinforced daily. Overall, we could not be happier with this school.
--Submitted by a parent

An excellent school with great leadership from the principal, great discipline enforced by teachers and principal, and great academic curriculum including Spanish program.
--Submitted by a parent

This was our first year at North Star. We enrolled our two students here after spending 3 years at another charter school in the area; so, we're familiar with the charter school culture and its demands. We are ecstatic to be here at North Star. Our students, one elementary and one middle schooler, are thriving. In fact, our family is thriving. I could not disagree more with a previous comment on the middle school teachers. Without exception, North Star's middle school teachers are consummate professionals with a genuine interest in their students. Our family has seven years' experience in regular public and charter schools; I'd say we're in an ideal situation at North Star Academy.
--Submitted by a parent

My 2 children have been at Northstar for 3 years now and I am very pleased with their progress. I have high expectations and NSA is meeting them with a challenging curriculum and grading scale, excellent Spanish program that is taught every day, solid curriculum and amazing teachers. My high achieving middle school student has excelled this past year in the smaller environment where she received a lot of individual attention. Also, NSA has a variety of electives she can select for the 2010-11 school year including cycling, health and first aid, photography, robotics, 3D modeling and animation, Science Olympiad, and team sports.
--Submitted by a parent

North Star Academy Charter is a school of choice...a choice I am proud to be a part of! This school has a back to basics philosophy with a well defined curriculum that has helped my two daughters to thrive. The expectations in the school are set high both for academics and behavior...but those expectations are taught and modeled by the teachers and administration. One of the best qualities that sets NSA apart from other schools is the community feel throughout the school that leads to outstanding communication between teachers and parents. NSA is a cut above!
--Submitted by a parent

NSA is an excellent school with high academic standards and fairly rigorous discipline. I would definitely consider it a cut above most public schools, and close to what I imagine a private school would be like. I can definitely say that my kids are well ahead of where they probably would be in a normal school. Some things it requires of parents are committment, involvement, and engagement. You need to pay attention to what's expected of your kids, as I think it can be a little hard for kids to keep up with the demands on their own. For example there is a fair amount of homework and frequent projects, events, etc. Curriculum is challenging but with your support it is acheivable.
--Submitted by a parent

I only wish I had found North Star Academy sooner! For an unbiased overview of the school, take the time to review the North Star website (www.nstaracademy.org) and read the 90-page Parent Survey which is posted online by their School Academic Advisory Committee (SAAC - a Parent Committee). This will give you a much better overall picture of North Star Academy and North Star parents' opinions of the school and its administration/teachers. This is an excellent school with Core Knowledge Curriculum, a daily Spanish program, and students who, through example and a principal-taught Character Education Program, are expected to behave appropriately. If your child is allowed to dress inappropriately, bring weapons to school, smart-mouth teachers or loves to pick fights with other children, this may not be the school for you! This school actually has consequences for bad and/or inappropriate behavior. How refreshing!
--Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with the leadership, discipline, and academics in the school. North Star provides children with an excellent learning environment. The school is very lucky to have a strong Principal. She sets the tone for the school. We have had our two children in the school since it opened, and are very pleased with the excellent teachers.
--Submitted by a parent