An Introduction
A comprehensive 7th-9th grade program that immerses students in core courses through a hands-on, project-based curriculum that re-engages them towards academic success.
The Star Academy is a school-within-a-school program for disengaged students, typically overage 7th-9th grade students who have previously failed one or more grades. Students participate in learning experiences that utilize non-
traditional instructional methods to complete up to two grades in one year.
The program employs standards-based curriculum in science, mathematics, English, and social studies. Students navigate through a rigorous progression of varied instructional methods incorporating hands-on, real-world learning
experiences, individualized instruction, team instruction, and personal development.
In addition to the innovative curriculum, teachers and students are taught how to communicate productively and work together as a team in a safe, happy, and productive environment. The Star Academy successfully re-engages students who may have experienced personal, academic, or social challenges in their lives. The program provides these students with an opportunity to recapture a sense of purpose, regain their self-esteem, and succeed academically.
A School Within A School
The Star Academy program is designed to be a comprehensive school-within-a-school. A full curriculum of Math, Science, English Language Arts and Social Studies is provided. The curriculum can be designed to cover from 7th to 9th grades in all four subjects.
A typical Star Academy enrolls 80 students and uses five classrooms. One classroom for each of the four subject areas and a fifth classroom for use as an R&D Lab. The 80 students rotate between the four core subjects in groups of 20. Most academy designs implement the program in a dedicated wing of a building where the students run on a block schedule.
A School Within A School
The Star Academy program is designed to be a comprehensive school-within-a-school. A full curriculum of Math, Science, English Language Arts and Social Studies is provided. The curriculum can be designed to cover from 7th to 9th grades in all four subjects.
A typical Star Academy enrolls 80 students and uses five classrooms. One classroom for each of the four subject areas and a fifth classroom for use as an R&D Lab. The 80 students rotate between the four core subjects in groups of 20. Most academy designs implement the program in a dedicated wing of a building where the students run on a block schedule.
Goal & Objectives
The Star Academy Program employs multiple educational strategies to effectively:
- Reduce dropout rates
- Deliver two years of curriculum in one school year
- Address the needs of at-risk students and other nontraditional learners
- Foster individual student responsibility for learning and behavior
- Enable students to earn up to eight credits in one school year
Award Winning Program
Star Academy is a three-time recipient of the National Dropout Prevention Center’s prestigious Crystal Star Award for dropout prevention. Among the dropout prevention programs touted by the NDPC as model programs, the Star Academy garners the highest rating available.
Proven Methodologies
The Star Academy Program implements proven methodologies throughout every aspect of the program.
Strategies include:
• Utilizing hands-on learning in support of cognitive performance
• Using career examples to exhibit how academic content is relevant
• Providing rich multimedia/multimodal learning activities
• Employing individual, collaborative-pair, and small-team learning experiences
• Creating a healthy school climate in which to succeed
Award Winning Program
Star Academy is a three-time recipient of the National Dropout Prevention Center’s prestigious Crystal Star Award for dropout prevention. Among the dropout prevention programs touted by the NDPC as model programs, the Star Academy garners the highest rating available.
Proven Methodologies
The Star Academy Program implements proven methodologies throughout every aspect of the program.
Strategies include:
• Utilizing hands-on learning in support of cognitive performance
• Using career examples to exhibit how academic content is relevant
• Providing rich multimedia/multimodal learning activities
• Employing individual, collaborative-pair, and small-team learning experiences
• Creating a healthy school climate in which to succeed
Culture of Achievement
Every Star Academy seeks to develop and sustain a school-wide Culture of Achievement. Star Academy’s two-part professional development series helps teachers support student achievement in a safe, happy, and productive environment.
Managing Student Behavior
In this professional development program, educators determine specific school and classroom behavioral expectations for students and create procedures that will result in a productive learning environment. Educators are provided with tools to help teach students to become self-regulated and respectful of learning, people, and property.
Goal Focused Communication
This program works with teachers to develop a set of structured communication skills that will be practiced over the course of the year. This structured communication encourages students to focus on achievement by:
• Focusing on personal career, school/academy, class-room goals
• Identifying relevance for their own learning
• Taking responsibility for their own learning
• Employing a sound protocol for achieving goals, solving problems, and learning new things
Star Academy Testimonials
“It saved my life. I went from just getting by to really being a straight-A student.”
JESSICA CRANE
STAR ACADEMY STUDENT
BERKELEY COUNTY, SC
“I applaud the efforts of the Star Academy for working to change the lives of at-risk students by guiding them in their education. This program is nationally recognized as one of the most effective dropout prevention solutions in the country.”
GEORGIA GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL
COFFEE COUNTY CAREER ACADEMY
DOUGLAS, GA
“The modules help because they are hands on, and to me, doing labs is what I like most about Star Academy Science.”
JALYN
STAR ACADEMY STUDENT
GEORGE COUNTY, MS
“The Star Academy Program is an effective, proven strategy for addressing multiple dropout prevention issues common with students at risk of school failure.”
JAY SMINK
FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NATIONAL DROPOUT PREVENTION CENTER
“The hands-on activities and technology have helped me understand things I’ve never been able to understand before.”
BAILEIGH
STAR ACADEMY STUDENT
GEORGE COUNTY, MS
“In Star Academy I’ve learned that even the biggest challenges I thought I couldn’t face are just little things on my way to success.”
DESTINY
STAR ACADEMY STUDENT
GEORGE COUNTY, MS
“I’ve never had straight A’s before because I was too scared to ask teachers for help. But now, I have straight A’s and the highest average in my math class.”
GEORGIE
STAR ACADEMY STUDENT
GEORGE COUNTY, MS
“Students deserve a second chance, and with Star Academy you get that.”
JA’MECUS
STAR ACADEMY STUDENT
GEORGE COUNTY, MS