Dear Parents and Students (past and present) of North Star Academy,

We here at North Star love our school. We believe we have something special and are excited to share it with as many people as we can. Since North Star Academy has been in operation, we have had many alumni (parents and students) of North Star comment on what a positive influence North Star has been for them and how well prepared they were to move on to their next level of education. Feel free to peruse those comments below. If you’d like, you may also leave your own comments about North Star Academy. We’d love to hear from you!

Endorsements

“North Star prepared my daughter for High School in every way. She is taking honors classes in 10th grade this year and has earned all A’s. My daughter was worried about moving to such a large school after North Star. We found that the change was really easy for her. She has made many new friends, but still returns to her North Star friends. They are like family and have become her “safety net” because they are so close. I believe that my daughter is prepared to be successful in High School and beyond because of her experiences at North Star”
-Judy Sorenson(Parent)

Both my children have had a positive experience at North Star. My oldest didn’t want to leave his school and go there, but with his learning problems, I insisted and at first he said it was too hard, but after about 3 weeks, his teachers, especially the ones in the resource center were wonderful and he thrived at North Star. When he went to Riverton as a sophomore, he made the comment that compared to North Star, high school was easy! Now he is a senior and is taking college courses and has passed and been certified as a level one computer programmer. I honestly believe had I not sent him to North Star, this story would have ended very differently. Thank you North Star staff. Your patience with a difficult teenager and the care you gave him has changed his life for the better!
-Parent Survey Comment

I’m glad I went to North Star Academy before attending Riverton High School. It has helped me so much in my classes with homework, comprehension, and getting used to the time schedules. Before attending high school, I was terrified. Because North Star is so small of a school, I was afraid I wouldn’t know anyone or wouldn’t be able to find my class. To my surprise, this wasn’t the case at all! I went with a few friends beforehand and mapped out my classes, and even though it was intimidating the first day, I realized that it was a new experience for everyone – despite what middle school they went to. There are people who have just moved to Riverton, people from different charters, and from the feeding schools – South Hills and Oquirrh. The fact is that everyone is NEW, and everyone is trying their best to get around and to get to know new people. Everyone is meeting everyone for the first time that first week of school. One advantage to going to NSA for middle school was the bell schedules. South Hills and Oquirrh kids are used to having eight 45 minute classes, while at North Star, we follow a similar A Day B Day schedule with longer class periods. Several students have commented that they wished they would have practiced that in junior high. Another advantage that I found was the actual classes. “Honors” classes are exactly on my level leaving North Star, if not easier. I find myself one of the students that others ask to help them, and it’s cool that way. All of my classes are fun, and taking Computer Tech at NSA was a HUGE PLUS. More room for electives!! I would also like to mention in all of the core classes (Science, Math, English, History) I feel significantly ahead of the rest of the class. Especially in my World Civilizations Honors class, we are covering everything I learned my ninth grade year in Geography and Humanities last year. High School comes very easy for me, and I owe that all to North Star. It is definitely worth staying throughout middle school!
-Kimber (former NSA student)

“My children learned how to be great students and friends at North Star Academy. Upon entering high school, they were well prepared to meet the challenges of their new environment both socially and academically.”
-Dana Smith(Parent)

North Star Academy’s rigorous academic atmosphere prepared my student well for Honors classes. He is one of the top performing students in all his classes at Riverton High. More than one RHS teacher has commented on how well North Star students perform. The A/B block schedule has contributed to an easy transition as well. Socially, my student has been fine adjusting to a large school. He has former NSA students in nearly every class. However, the greatest value the education at North Star has given my student is confidence–the confidence to participate in class discussions, try various clubs and activities, and make new friends.
-Wendy Lambert (Parent)

It was such a small school with little class sizes that is what I loved the most. I felt I got a great education and was very prepared for High School. I also loved the A-B schedule so that when I went to High School it wasn’t a big adjustment.
-Hannah McClees-(former NSA student) Freshman at Southern Utah University.

My high school student had a great experience at North Star. She is having such a positive sophomore year. I’m so happy that my kids are a part of this amazing school.
-Parent Survey Comment

“I wouldn’t trade my ninth grade year for anything. NSA may be tough at times but it pays off in the end big time! I miss NSA so much! It really is like a family. I miss all my North Star people…the funny thing is you always have a certain bond with them. North Star students still have a bond in high school and they watch out for each other. It’s like we’re family.
-Nicole (former NSA student)

Because of the great note taking and researching skills that are emphasized at North Star Academy, you have a much greater advantage in high school classes. NSA taught me how to work hard to achieve my desired results.
-Jessica (former NSA student)

I loved the teachers. When you didn’t understand something they would work with you to get it fixed. I loved how because it was such a small class we were really close to each other and still are.
-Olivia (former NSA student)

We love North Star and feel that is has more than prepared our children for high school. They are a junior and senior at Riverton High and have had a smooth transition in to honor, AP, and college courses. They both went into high school with a good foundation of study skills and knowledge. We have had several comments from teachers about the quality of students that are coming out of North Star.

We also have found that their friendships at North Star have been beneficial because you become closer to the few students who do attend this school. This close relationship creates a unique support system where it is easier to reach your goals. Also, you find yourself in the honors and upper level high school classes with the same students because they have all left North Star with the same study habits and work ethics.
-Sara Swallow (Parent)

North Star definitely helped prepare me for the high school work load. The teachers at North Star expect a lot of you, and they push you really hard. I am so glad that they did! After I started high school I realized that I was having a much easier time than some of my friends who hadn’t gone to NSA. I could take notes easier, write essays faster, and read more challenging books. North Star also created close lasting friendships with people who have the same study habits as me. It is easier to succeed when you are surrounded by other responsible students. Thank you so much North Star Academy!
-Ashlan (former NSA student)

North Star prepared my student for high school in many ways. Academically he has found that he is on top of everything that comes his way, including AP and other advanced classes. North Stars’ emphasis on excellent writing skills, science, and tough math have made assignments that other students see as difficult, much easier. Socially, North Star allowed him to gain confidence in being in new situations (choir, theatrics, Spanish, dance, sports…) because in a smaller setting he was able to try out a larger variety of activities than he could have at a regular middle school. We have also appreciated how willing North Star is to work with ninth graders who participate in high school athletics, allowing the student to become part of a good group before reaching the high school-an awesome plus!
-hEireann Thornley (Parent)

My daughter has now graduated from High School. She has often told me that her two years at North Star prepared her to be successful in high school and as she enters the “real world”. The teachers care about the students and take the time to help them succeed.
-Kristi Crossland (Parent)