Answers to Common Questions
How many students attend North Star?
Five hundred students in grades K-9 attend North Star Academy.
What is the class size?
Elementary grades have 25 students, with 2 classes per grade. Teachers’ aides assist in each of the classrooms for grades 1-6. Each kindergarten class has 2 aides.
Middle school classes average 25 students. However, depending on the student’s math level and elective class popularity, this number may decrease or increase by a few students.
How are charter schools funded?
Charter schools do not charge tuition. They receive Federal and State funding based on student enrollment, as well as funding from other grant sources.
What curriculum do you use?
North Star Academy uses research-based and challenging curriculum as the basis for general instruction. This curriculum includes the Core Knowledge Sequence, Saxon Math, and Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading.
What programs are available for art, music, technology, and physical education?
Elementary students rotate between music, physical education, library, art, and computer technology in the afternoons throughout the week.
7th grade students are required to take an art class and music appreciation course to fulfill state-required arts electives. 8th and 9th grade students have the freedom to choose their electives. Middle school students take a semester of P.E. each year. There are a variety of music, art, and technology classes offered. Check with the office for further details.
What are school hours?
School hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 2:52 PM. Please note that there are no regular “short” days! Parents may drop off students beginning at 8:15 AM. Students should go directly to their classrooms upon arrival.
Do you require a minimum number of volunteer hours?
We ask that all parents contribute 20 hours per year. However, the inability to volunteer does not affect the enrollment of your student.
Tell me about your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
The PTO is a great way to volunteer for the school. Five parents serve on the PTO Board, which consists of a President, Middle School Vice-President, Elementary Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The PTO Board is elected by a vote of the parents.
What is the Dress Code Policy?
The Dress Code Policy can be viewed on the Dress Code Policy page.
Are the teachers certified?
Yes, all of our teachers are certified. Additionally, our middle school teachers hold endorsements in the subject areas they teach.
How do you determine the math level my student will be placed in?
We take into account parents’ comments and the previous math level of the student. We may also use a Saxon Math Placement test.
Do middle school students rotate between classes?
Yes. Classes are taught on a block schedule. Students have four classes each day, alternating between an “A” day schedule and a “B” day schedule. Saxon Math is taught daily. Every other class is taught on alternating days. Classes are 1 hour 20 minutes long.
What electives do you offer for middle school students?
Students in 8th and 9th grades may select two electives from any of the following: Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Commercial Art, Business Web Page Design, Guitar, Choir, Debate, Desktop Publishing, Humanities, Dance, Team Sports & Conditioning. Band and Strings Orchestra are taught as an early morning extra-curricular activity. Based on student interest, elective offerings may change slightly year to year.
What clubs/activities do you have for middle school students?
North Star offers a drama club, student government, band, yearbook, basketball, volleyball, guitar, and various other sports and art-related after-school activities throughout the year. Clubs offered may change from year to year. For more information on current middle school activities, please see Clubs.
Students in 9th grade have the opportunity to participate in Jordan School District high school sports and activities for a small fee (in the following year, students must attend the high school they are participating with).
Do you offer released time for LDS Seminary?
LDS Seminary is offered and organized by the LDS seminary program. It is held before school and not affiliated with North Star Academy. Please contact the LDS seminary for further information.
Are you affiliated with any other schools?
No. We are not affiliated with any other public, private, or charter school. Your enrollment at North Star Academy does not give you any preference for enrollment in any other charter school.
I missed the open enrollment deadline. Can I still apply?
Yes, but you may be included in a lower lottery pool. Those that applied during the Open Enrollment period will have preference.
I want to check my child’s application status. How do I do so?
You can check the status of your application using the following link: Check Application Status.
Enter your confirmation number to access your application. Your confirmation number was e-mailed to you at the end of the online application process.
How do I change information on my application?
You can change the information on an application using the following link: Modify Application.
Enter your confirmation number to access your application. Your confirmation number was e-mailed to you at the end of the online application process. Make the necessary changes, then click the “Update Application” button.
How do I add a student to my application?
Use the same link as above, but click the “Add Student” button after entering your confirmation number.
I applied online, but do not have my confirmation number. How can I get it?
Send an e-mail to Pam Van Wagoner. Please include your name, your child’s name and your phone number. You will be sent your confirmation number, which you can use to check your application status online at any time.
I applied last year, but have not updated my application. What do I do?
You must re-apply online. Applicants were responsible to update their application during open enrollment. It is not possible to update an existing application after the deadline.
What is a lottery?
Since the number of applicants exceeds the established ceiling, students are selected by lottery. When a student is chosen, siblings of the applicant (within the same household) are also invited for admission, provided there are openings. Students currently admitted are given preference for re-enrollment. Siblings of admitted students are given preference relative to other applicants.
NSA will not discriminate in its admission policies or practices on the same basis as other public schools may not discriminate in their admission policies and practices.
How do I enroll my student?
Currently, there are no openings at North Star Academy. However, you may place your student’s name in a applicant pool by going to Enrollment.
What are the chances of my student being selected to attend North Star Academy?
There are several hundred students’ names waiting in the applicant pool. The lower the grade, the higher the number of applicants. There is no way to predict when or if your student will be selected to attend North Star Academy. You will be contacted if your student has been selected.
Please do not contact the school asking what your chances are — there is no way to predict this and it uses valuable time for school staff.
Do I need to re-enroll for the applicant pool each year?
Yes. Each January, you need to re-enroll to keep your student’s name in the applicant pool. To be considered for the kindergarten lottery, you must enroll in the lottery no later than January 31.
When are lotteries held?
Kindergarten lotteries are held mid- to end February for the year your student will be starting school. All other grade lotteries are held when a student drops from North Star and an opening becomes available.
When will I be notified of an open position?
Upon completion of the kindergarten lottery, all kindergarten students who have applied for North Star Academy are notified if they have been accepted or not. All other positions are filled throughout the school year as they become available. As soon as a position becomes available for your student, you will be notified either by e-mail, phone, or both.
Parents / guardians have 72 hours to accept / reject an open position when it becomes available. It is possible for a position to open during the school year. Parents should consider in advance whether they are willing to move their child mid-year.