My son came to STARS a year and a half ago, and within minutes, it was clear to him (and me) that this was where he belonged. With a rigorous academic curriculum that meets kids where they're at while incorporated musicals to help kids connect on a different level, a strong social emotional curriculum that is relatable, and a staff that is truly dedicated to each and every student, my son has become so much more confident in who he is, has built and learned to navigate authentic friendships (even as a middle schooler!), and has caught up in subjects that he fell behind in due to the pandemic and large class sizes at our local LAUSD school. My only complaint is that it didn't exist when I was a kid because it really is a place that is so unique and special!

I can't say enough positive things about Stars Academy! My 8 year old daughter has been attending this school for the last 2 years, and we have witnessed remarkable growth in her self-confidence and enthusiasm for learning. The combination of project-based learning and emotional learning has truly balanced her education, making her excited to go to school every day. One of the unique aspects we adore is the absence of grades, allowing her to engage in advanced math with older students and keeping her continuously stimulated. The caring and dedicated teachers prioritize the students' well-being, fostering a tight-knit community where my daughter has friends of all ages.
We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact this school has had on her overall development and would highly recommend Stars to any parent looking for a nurturing and progressive learning environment.

Stars Academy has impacted so many kids lives and I'm so grateful to be part of a community that truly prioritize its students, staff members and parents. Stars is a place where your kid can be seen no matter of someone's education, race and disability.

STARS ACADEMY is by far the most wonderful school we've ever attended, and it continues to grow and evolve. It's a work-in-progress --not "stuck" in old-ways of thinking. Education is never "one size fits all," and this school knows that. The school community, who are drawn here are exceptional. They want the very best for their kids, but they also want it for society. They want them to thrive together and contribute to this world.

We previously attended a prestigious private school in our area and who promised the stars, sun and the moon but was "all about the business" (not the child nor education). By the time my son reached first grade it was so awful, he was sad all the time did not want to go to school at all. We signed up for the school tour at STARS.

When we experienced the schools first-hand, we saw how amazing the school was. The kids were out on campus, each engaged eye to eye with us, communicating extemporaneously and enthusiastically in ways that almost no adult I know can do, blew me away. I thought, if my kid could have a fraction of that presence, then he would be well served. As they say, "The proof is in the pudding!" The results of STARS were on display with radiance. I'd never witnessed that before. They even offered us a trial day for my son. When we picked him up from the trial day, he had at STARS he said I want to come back tomorrow mom.

We've been at STARS ACADEMY for two years now. Since then, my son has never told me he did not want to go to school. Instead, he wakes me up and tells me I need to get to school on time. The growth we have seen not only educationally but with his social emotional growth is amazing. Unlike some of the other schools, this one cares about the social emotion well-being of our children. The teachers and staff really care and love the kids at school. They are experts who love their craft and strive to continuously improve upon it. They are passionate and compassionate; they are mentors and confidants. Their philosophy, treatment of kids, and approach to education is exceptional. I encourage anyone curious about it to visit the school and see what we see every day. We are truly blessed to have found such an amazing school and being a part of STARS is home for our family.

With school starting back up soon I want to share our experience with Stars Academy. It has been beyond exceptional. The teachers are invested in my child's education and emotional well being. Adjustments are made as needed to meet the needs of the student. Small class sizes, aids and one on one counseling when needed. Our 11 year old has Dyslexia. This is the first time in her academic career that she loves school. That she has confidence, that she has a favorite teacher. After so many facilities and schools promised us the moon, and failed to help Stars Academy has delivered and been a Godsend. We are so grateful to have found it and want to share with other parents and families what a special place Stars Academy truly is.

Who would have thought that two public school teachers would send their daughter to a private school? Not us, that’s for sure, but things don’t always go as planned. Our daughter attended a very well run and reputable public school, but as we watched her gradually lose her love for learning and self-confidence, we knew something needed to change. The traditional model just wasn’t a match to her learning style. In the Spring of 2021, with skepticism and resistance we attended our first virtual STARS Informational Session. As we listened to the mission, vision and curriculum design shared by Shayna Turk (Head of School) , our defenses melted.  We felt that it was important for our daughter, who was in 5th grade at the time, to be a part of the discovery process. After we expressed interest, Shayna invited our daughter to visit and spend the school day at STARS Academy School.  She elected to give it a try. At the end of the day, when we picked her up, we realized there was no turning back. She had found home. So, this school year we took a leap of faith, and enrolled our daughter in STARS Academy School. Instantly we saw the shift, her enthusiasm for learning returned with a vengeance. She was excited to engage with her peers in innovative, creative, and thought provoking ways. At around age 7 we learned NOT to ask our daughter about school. How was your day? Good. What did you learn? No answer. Since our daughter became a STARS student, she eagerly shares details about her learning and her friends; all unprompted. We felt that this was very telling of the environment STARS creates as it has fostered an excitement for academics that we had never seen before. Despite our reservations about sending our very social daughter to a school with such a small population, she quickly formed friendships and has been enjoying building new relationships with the other great students and their lovely families. Making the STARS Academy School choice has only brought us closer as a family, for our daughter knows she is our top priority.

STARS Academy has been the biggest blessing to our family during these challenging times. My children wake up enthusiastic, eager and happy to go to school. Even on rare distance learning days, my kids are engaged and attentive to their teachers throughout the entire day. My kids have grown so much thru this program-academically, socially and emotionally. Because of STARS Academy, my kids have a newfound love and appreciation for musical theater and are enjoying guitar lessons.  The public speaking opportunities have also been plentiful and wonderful. These are skills that will benefit them throughout their lifetime. The teachers are passionate and committed to the growth of the students. Joining this program has been one the best decisions I have ever made for the well being of my children. I highly recommend STARS Academy!

Incredible project-based learning program that focuses on the whole child. Their inspiring and nurturing teachers provide an amazing balance between a stimulating non-conventional academic curriculum matched with social emotional learning. A true win of a learning model. My kids can’t wait to get to school which was definitely not the case with other schools. I too wish I had gone to a school like this as a child!

Coming from an LAUSD school this had been a big change. Everybody is so nice, everybody cares about your education! I have only been here for 2 weeks and I already know long division when I could not do that at my old school for a whole year and I learned it in a day. STARS is an amazing school and it feels like a family.

 

STARS Academy offers an amazing experience both socially, intellectually and academically. There are not enough words to describe how fantastic each and every one of the teachers are and the support they give our children. Highly recommended to anyone who is “Experiencing” the lack of educational support in the traditional school trajectory at this point with their child.

 

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I love STARS Academy, the teachers care about you on another level and it helps you get through your day. All the STARS staff also care about your mental health as well, and they help you navigate through hard times.

I'd just like to say that STARS has given me the best education I could ask for. At first I was scared that being the new kid meant that I would only have a limited amount of friends, but now I am able to make new friends with whoever I like, and it's all thanks to your rules! I love how you really understand the kids and what they've been going through! I especially like how you put the kids into the groups you think is best for them and then ask people to not make fun of the people who go to  a group that has younger kids in it! Your school is officially the best school I can wish for! 

If you are looking for a school option to help heal your child after the trauma of distance learning and isolation, or a place where your child gets the personal attention from teachers that students deserve, consider STARS Academy. Enrolling my son in this school was the best decision ever during a very uncertain time. In his words, "One year can make a big difference." We are definitely returning next school year.

We joined STARS academy initially because it was in-person and we had an awful experience elsewhere with distance learning. Since being at STARS, my expectations have been far exceeded. My children are thriving more then they ever had at their previous school, academically and emotionally. What I love about this program is that the students can work based on their level, not just their age and grade. The teachers are so warm, caring, and enthusiastic about teaching. The performing arts aspect of this school makes the program so unique and special in the way they teach and learn history.  In addition, they have electives such as chess, art, mad science, and guitar. We are so grateful to have found such an amazing school with such caring and wonderful teachers.

When it became clear that the COVID-19 pandemic was going to keep our children in online learning throughout the 2020/2021 school year, we knew that we had to find another option. We felt that our children would not thrive in an online program and we believed that these were very important school years in particular for them as they were going in to 1st and 5th grade.  Our daughter had the great fortune to begin the drama program that Shayna Turk ran prior to having to delay productions due to the pandemic. She loved that program and when we saw that Shayna and Alex were using their incredible talents as teachers to start a school, we knew that we had to learn about the program.   After spending time with them, we felt like the structure of the STARS Academy curriculum and the method of teaching would be the right fit for our kids.  We are beyond happy to report that within these first 6 months, we have seen more growth in  all areas of their academics and social relationships than in all of their years in their other schools.  We have seen them come home from school excited to share about their day and excited to go back again the next day to learn more.  They are both learning at and above their current grade levels.  They are finding new interests and also being encouraged to explore interests that they already had in more depth.  The school is interested in our kids as individuals and prioritizes finding electives and activities that would suit them.  We are particularly excited about the part of the curriculum that teaches them presentation skills and taking initiative in their own learning process.  They are both so much more confident about their school work and they don't have the stress when it comes to school that I see all of our friend's children experiencing right now. We are so grateful that we took the leap and changed the course of our children's education.   We feel extremely lucky to be part of the start of STARS Academy and plan to continue on and grow with the school.

 I love how all the teachers are kind to us as individuals they are always helping and trying to improve us in so many different ways. When I first went to this school I was clueless about good writing. Then only after a little bit of school, we enter into an essay contest and I and another student won. I didn't just improve in writing my math facts become way more fluent and easier and easier. I love this school from the teachers to the academics.  

I decided to take my son out of his distance learning as I felt that he was not getting the attention and nurture he needed from what was being offered. Since we were recommended to STARS Academy, my son has come on leaps and bounds. The environment all teachers have to offer with helping these children to grow is amazing and the time, energy, thought process that comes into the everyday learning operation for our little beings has truly made my son more responsible, considerate, methodical, and mature. I thoroughly advise other potential parents to come and take a look at what they have to offer especially if you are looking for your children to be more rounded individuals. I look forward to seeing the growth of the academy and the creation of more happy children.

I am so impressed with STARS ACADEMY and how committed the teachers are! We were so fortunate to find this school. My children have learned so much in the last year, and with a variety of subjects, along with yoga, guitar, chess, and theatre. In addition, they have also learned to think more positively and become more confident. Amidst a pandemic, it was so challenging to find in-person education with committed, wonderful COVID careful teachers that truly care about the well-being of children, mentally, emotionally, and physically. We are grateful for their staff and being pioneers in education.

Can't thank you guys enough for all of the love, patience and knowledge you all have poured over our son. He has learned a tremendous amount and grown considerably in the time he has spent under your care.