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Blytheville, AR – May 18, 2023 – The Blytheville School District celebrated the inaugural year of their Star Academy program with a Ribbon Cutting and Open House celebration on Thursday, May 18th at Blytheville Middle School. Local, state, and community leaders attended the event to learn more about the program and share in the successes […]

Barnwell, SC – April 25, 2023 – Members of Barnwell School District 45 (BSD45) and the community came together for a ribbon cutting celebration that took place at Barnwell High School to showcase the hands-on learning of the Star Academy program. BSD45 was a recipient of an Innovation Grant, a grant award designed to support […]

New Orleans, LA, April 4, 2023 . . . Hope, Arkansas’ Yerger Middle School today celebrated the opening of a Star Academy “school-within-a-school” serving its entire 8th grade class to help boost academic success, attendance and social skills in preparation for the coming high school years. “What makes Star Academy special is that it integrates science, […]

After serving in the field of education for more than a quarter of a century, you’d think one would be used to the “status quo” of serving students in K-12 education. But for Denise James, Star Academy Director at Guinyard Butler Middle School, that couldn’t be further from the truth.  “I’m a goofball for school […]

Today, the Osceola School District celebrated receiving a one million dollar grant to offer the STAR Academy Curriculum over the next three years in the Choices Learning Center Academy. Today the students, school district, and community leaders celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Principal Smith of Choices Learning Center shared, “Today, we are celebrating raising […]

Kimberly Thomas, Superintendent of Strong-Huttig School District, has dedicated the last 25 years to serving K-12 learners in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We recently sat down with Mrs. Thomas to learn what it was about this passion, turned life’s work, that kept her driven and innovating towards the future, despite the challenges she’s faced. True […]

Acquisition of Proven Prescriptive Math Program Further Strengthens Premier Solution for Serving At-Risk Students NOLA Education announced the purchase of iLearn Math from iLearn, Inc., a pioneer in prescriptive math education with a 20-year history of success. “We are thrilled to add this state-of-the-art, computer-based math program to our curriculum,” said John Alvendia, CEO of […]

Amite middle schoolers are improving their grades with a nontraditional learning style this year. Star Academy, a program which uses a curriculum of project-based hands-on teamwork, functions almost as another school within Amite Westside Middle Magnet School. The program’s goal is to bolster the academic careers of kids most at risk of dropping out. Gov. […]

Tangipahoa Parish School System and NOLA Education proudly hosted community members as well as local and state dignitaries, with special guests Governor John Bel Edwards at a ribbon-cutting event held at Amite Westside Middle Magnet School. The event was held to celebrate one of the district’s newest educational offerings, Star Academy, offered at both Amite […]

Magnolia Middle School eighth grader Mariah Young used to struggle with her classes and her grades. “I don’t know, the teachers didn’t really explain it really well and the work was really hard for me,” Mariah said of her previous experiences with school. But beginning this year, that has changed for Mariah and 75 other […]

STRONG, Ark. (KTVE/KARD)–On Tuesday, December 13, Strong High School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome the district’s Star Academy Program. According to Star Academy’s website, the star academy program is a comprehensive program that immerses students in core courses through a hands-on, project-based curriculum that re-engages them towards academic success. “Our students are working independently as well […]

‘It’s definitely untraditional. But the traditional way has not worked for these kids.’ Javier Cortez had almost given up on his education. Having been held back twice, the 14-year-old felt like he’d never catch up with his peers. But his outlook changed when he learned he’d been admitted to Jefferson Parish’s Star Academy. Located at […]

Dr. Jonathan Crossley, Superintendent of Hope (Arkansas) Public Schools, is passionate about creating equitable pathways to success for the next generation. Elevating the student experience and breaking down barriers that hinder students from thriving in the classroom – and college or the workforce beyond graduation – drives Dr. Crossley and the district he leads forward. […]

Have you ever known someone who could solve a Rubik’s cube in no time flat? What about a detail-oriented person who could easily recognize patterns and analyze challenges? Ever met someone who could assess large swaths of data in no time flat? Chances are, that person, with a mind hard-wired to problem-solve, find efficiencies, and […]

Grand Marshals are a Mardi Gras tradition. These flamboyant leaders are appointed to lead Mardi Gras parades, engage guests, and dance their way down the parade route. In short, they’re the life of the party, which ensures everyone has a great time celebrating New Orleans’ festivities. At NOLA Education, we select one educator to serve […]

It’s autumn in New Orleans: the leaves are changing and hitching a ride on the cool breeze alongside the tune of a lone trumpet’s serenade. If you’ve never visited New Orleans in the fall, you should. And if you weren’t in the City this October, you really missed out: the Star Academy Summit hosted by […]

Virginia Robinson, Chief Education Officer at NOLA Education, grew up in historic Abbeville, Louisiana. She had a wonderful childhood in Abbeville, which she will forever call “home.” It was there that Virginia first decided that she wanted to become an educator. And beyond being an educator, she knew she wanted to be a positive, encouraging […]

John Alvendia is known for three things: his lifelong love of New Orleans; a passion for dynamic, accessible education; and an entrepreneurial spirit that just won’t quit. Roll these together, and you’ve discovered their perfect blend: NOLA Education. But before John became CEO of NOLA, an education company that’s served tens of thousands of students […]

Natasha Overstreet, a Star Academy Program Counselor in Mobile, AL wins prestigious honor for her dedication to her students and passion for the Star Academy model!

Pine Bluff, AR – February 22, 2022 – Pine Bluff, AR – February 22, 2022 – The Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative proudly hosted a Ribbon Cutting Celebration honoring the launch of their educational program, known as “Explore Academy” on Tuesday, February 22nd in Pine Bluff. Explore Academy is an accelerated learning program that utilizes […]

The 8th Grade Magnet Program is designed to re-engage students with a non-traditional learning approach In specially designed modular classrooms installed at the HD Karns Building. Students in grades 7-8 experience innovative real-world learning designed to hold their interest and cater to their learning styles. The classrooms feature state-of-the art equipment, project-based learning and a […]

The Rich Township High School District 227 celebrates the implementation of the Star Academy Program, a non-traditional learning model designed to help give students new hands-on options to increase engagement and stay on the path to graduation. Introduced in the Rich Township District 227 for 160 students, the Star Academy Program is recognized as one […]

The McCormick County School District yesterday showcased its new Star Academy Program, a “school within a school” that helps at-risk and disengaged students get back on path to graduation. Introduced in McCormick at the start of this school year, the Star Academy Program is recognized as one of the most effective dropout prevention programs in […]

The first semester of McCormick County School District’s Star Academy Program — a “school within a school” — is in full swing, and to celebrate its first year, the district held a ribbon cutting at its high school. The hope is that it will have a profound effect on the rates at which students drop […]

The Meridian Public School District is exploring a way to engage high school students and to facilitate graduation through hands-on learning. The Board of Education approved the acceptance of a grant — contingent upon contract review — to implement a technology-based, hands-on program designed to reach students who have hit some obstacles in their past […]

District Administrator honors 45 schools and systems with this year’s District of Distinction program.  These school districts have created homegrown initiatives to support students’ social-emotional development, to provide powerful new opportunities for career-focused STEM learning and to improve the skills of educators. Recognized Impact: Since implementing STAR Academy, the Berkeley County school district’s graduation rate has risen from 67.3 percent […]

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal will help cut the ribbon on the Star Academy Program at Berrien Academy later in the month.   He is scheduled to visit the academy Tuesday, Oct. 31, according to an organizational press release. Berrien Academy Principal Michele Garner said she is eager to welcome Deal and other dignitaries so they can see […]

The Wayne County School District had their ribbon cutting for the new Star Academy. The main purpose of STAR Academy is to be a “drop-out prevention” and “catch-up” type program that will be implemented in fall of 2017.   Crystal Bates, curriculum director with the Wayne County School District, says the initiative will help students that have been […]