Sandhills Theatre Arts Renaissance School

The school has a decent philosophy, but in all honesty it's not much different than any other poorly managed charter school. They have a nice building and nice landscaping, but they don't have enough science and math books for some grades.

4. My daughter has been a student for three years. She excels in all of her classes and does very well on testing. Thanks tro tremendous preparation.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's second year at STARS. It has been a wonderful experience so far. They welcome parent involvement and focus on the whole child. My daughter's confidence is strong; they have fostered her education, talents, and individuality. I can not wait until my other two children join her at STARS so that I can watch them grow in this unique learning environment.
--Submitted by a parent

con't.....The hallways are filled with impressive artwork and stories. In each room entered I found children actively engaged either directly with the teacher or with their fellow students..oh did I say...smiling, happy children..! And yes...smiling happy teachers apparently enjoying their vocations. I left with a smile and deep gratitude for the entire staff into whose hands my most precious grandchildren have been entrusted. Ad multos anos stars !!

My granddaughter attends STARS and has for almost two years. She is in 6th grade. Prior to enrolling she was home schooled following less than positive experiences at public schools. Her home life went thru an extremely traumatic period leaving some additional challenges to those of just growing up. We found STARS shortly after moving to the area from out of state. We were looking for a setting that fostered her creativity and supported her self-expression while building a strong scholastic foundation. It also had to be a place that was sensitive, innovative and creative in the way it reached its students. We found that standard, public, main-stream educational settings weren t enough as her levels of sensitivity, artistic expression and outside- of-the-box perspective needed a venue in which she could grow and flourish rather than be bored and stifled. During her time at STARS her test scores have gone up markedly, her desire to attend classes and learn is high and consistent, and her overall level of self-confidence is healthier that it s ever been. This school has a growing and active Parent Teacher Organization, encouraged by administration and welcomed by the teachers. We have the opportunity, thru service to the school, to be an active part of our granddaughter s education experience. We get to be a part of the solution thru participation rather than a part of the problem thru inactivity and distance. We have come to know, respect and appreciate STARS administration, teachers and support staff as we see much of the day to day interaction with the students. Appropriate members of the faculty take great effort to reach each child, regardless of the child s skill level, to help them achieve their potential. For those students with special struggles, administration has established after-school help. My family s hope is that the school continues to grow so our granddaughter can continue to have the measureable benefits of attendance regardless of her grade. It is a place of that offers participation and growth by all: students, teachers, and families. Steven George

Wow - this school is so different from last year. Last year, the middle school was kind of off the wall - no discipline, kids doing whatever they wanted, teachers letting them do whatever, just crazy. Now, the teachers are mature, they care about the kids, and they seem to be living up to the 'vision' that Ms. Kemple kept talking about last year but no one could see. They are having fun and learning, and the expectations are high, not just in middle school, but in the whole school. I'm excited to see what happens the rest of this year.
--Submitted by a parent

I love STARS. My son has attended since kindergarten. The staff and teachers really care about the children and I am happy with the way the school is run and the way classes are taught.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall I have been very impressed with the school. The principal as well as the teachers are very involved with the students and take the time to get to know each student. The children are also well networked. By the end of kindergarten my daughter had friends in all grade levels. My only complaint is that events and activities are put together at the last minute (a common flaw in most creative minds) With a little more planning and notification, the school would be perfect.
--Submitted by Tiffany Evans, a parent

This school is awesome. You can feel it as soon as you walk in the door. The directors really set the tone - they work long days and you can go to them with anything, and they really care about the kids. So do the teachers. Test scores went up this year, and the way they put the arts into the classroom is really cool. Now that the building is finished, everyone can settle down and focus 100% on building the program to even greater heights, and I know they will.
--Submitted by a parent

I rank STARS school as excellent! The teachers and staff at STARS are so wonderful and caring! My son attended 2 grade this year and is being promoted to 3rd grade now. He has learned sooo much more at STARS than he has ever learned at regular public school. Not only that, but his self confidence is at an all time high and he literally has become excited to learn. STARS teachers have a very unique way of making education fun and interesting for the students. The Arts are incorporated into the academics programs so that each child acquires talents in areas that actually bring out the best in them! Self confidence is boosted and each child feels important and this is what makes them excited to learn! My son has learned so much this year -he is way ahead of children in our area who attend the local public school.
--Submitted by Sandra, a parent