Star Academy was founded in 1998 and was led by the founder, Belinda Bernardo, until her retirement in 2017. She was succeeded by Julie Benneyworth and Heather Rees, creating a nice continuity in leadership, as well as a substantive dedication to the values that Bernardo instilled in the school, those of respect, curiosity, collaborative learning, and active engagement. Administration has also consistently demonstrated their desire to regularly revisit best practices, adapting instruction, including adoption of 21st century learning, to meet the students where they are, and to take them where they will need to be. Families that enroll often do so in light of those values as well as the things that are unique to the school, including a more intensive commitment to physical education, an 11-month instructional year, and a low teacher-student ratio. Other draws include small class sizes, individual attention, and cross-curricular instruction.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Star Academy is a small school where children love to learn. With small class sizes, Star teachers know every child and therefore, challenge them as individuals, inside and outside the classroom. Our Pillars of Child Development guide Star's philosophy and enrich classroom teaching, addressing the rounded development of the whole child. Social-emotional learning, daily Physical Education, flexible learning environments (you should see our forest!), and weekly Music, Art and Drama are key programming features."
Social emotional learning built into daily teaching.
Focus on learning skills for developing success.
Using our Pillars of Child Development to shape our curriculum.
Academic, Physical, Social, Emotional, Global pillars guide teaching and learning.
Relationships, relationships, relationships to strengthen our community.
Weekly teacher newsletters, weekly school newsletters to communicate events and activities.
Ongoing personal and staff professional development to be current in our practice.
Proactive in our communication with parents and students.
Involved and engaged in our larger community, supporting events and causes.
Promote growth mindset in all classrooms across the school.
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Every day the Star faculty seeks to create experiences that engage students in learning that excites them. Our Learn to Love to Learn focus is evident in the classrooms, where...(more)
"Every day the Star faculty seeks to create experiences that engage students in learning that excites them. Our Learn to Love to Learn focus is evident in the classrooms, where students have guided support but also the autonomy to develop their skills. From the moment they arrive at school to smiles and good mornings, to the moment their teachers sign them out at the end of the day, the children are involved with a community that is caring and invested in their personal growth."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
Information not yet available.
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
Information not yet available.
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
Information not yet available.
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"Our families regularly comment on the 'above and beyond' our teachers do for their child. Often, the switch to a small private school is what a child who is a reluctant learner...(more)
"Our families regularly comment on the 'above and beyond' our teachers do for their child. Often, the switch to a small private school is what a child who is a reluctant learner comes out of their shell. The small school environment, the small classroom sizes, and the attention to detail by our teachers set the student experience apart. As one parent recently emailed us 'Thank you again for all that you do for the school and our family (and all of the families).'"
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"The use of technology in educational ways. We all feel some technology burnout, but there are so many ways it is integrated into learning that enhance the experiences for all...(more)
"The use of technology in educational ways. We all feel some technology burnout, but there are so many ways it is integrated into learning that enhance the experiences for all children. It allows for accessibility, it allows for creativity, and it allows for the development of 21st-century learning skills. Our ongoing professional development continues to enrich our teacher's foundation skills in areas such as coding - which allows for great creativity as our children navigate new skills."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion extends to the classrooms with diverse dolls, an extensive diverse book collection, with the goal that every child will find a...(more)
"Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion extends to the classrooms with diverse dolls, an extensive diverse book collection, with the goal that every child will find a character that represents them.
The wide range of school clubs offered at recess times (for a small school especially), from 'Paw Patrol' to 'Dungeons and Dragons', Sports including racquet sports (tennis, badminton, pickleball), cooking and more!"
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
Information not yet available.
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
Preschool (current),Gr. 4 (current) — Our time at Star Academy has been wonderful. Both our kids had some challenges and were not thriving in the public school system. Star provided them with a warm, welcoming, and positive education community that both of our kids love attending each morning. Classes are small, and the teachers are engaged and care deeply. The administration is engaged, and it truly feels like a team effort to help your kid along. One teacher helped us navigate an ADHD and LD diagnosis, while the other helped with some behavioural challenges that have mostly subsided thanks to their patience, guidance, and support. Kids are encouraged to be their best selves, to try hard, and engage in their little school community. Star has been a game changer for our family!
Gr. 1 (current) — My daughter is now in her 3rd year at Star Academy. Previous to Star, she attended a Montessori school for both Junior and Senior Kindergarten and thrived in that learning environment, but that particular school didn't offer any higher grades. The initial draw to enroll her at Star Academy post-pandemic was the small class sizes and track record of providing an excellent online learning program when schools were temporarily closed, but we were quickly impressed at the variety of learning opportunities and experiences that the school offers. My daughter especially loves the daily gym classes and always looks forward to technology and art classes as well.
Star Academy includes a lot of “hands-on” learning and group work, which works very well for my daughter's learning style. Last year she was excited to create a model of a treehouse, which included furnished rooms, play equipment, ladders and even monkeys, all based on a learning unit on different types of homes around the world.
He is in Pre-K in the Kindergarten program and this is his first time enrolled in any program outside of our home. I feel that he likes the sense of community the best. This was very important to us also, that he felt comfortable while being there, since he would be spending so much time there at such a young age. His teacher, Ms. Smith, is very aware to treat each child individually while fostering a family environment while they are there and learning. Cole loves superheros and Ms. Smith works them into the day somehow, making Cole feel special and heard. Also, because of the size of the school, older classes/teachers tend to take part in the Kindergarten activities, so he knows other teachers as well. This really helps to create a sense of community and helps him to feel safe while learning. As of now I can't say there is anything that he finds disappointing.
I've been a student at Star Academy for 4 years, and it feels like my second home. As soon as I first came to the school, I loved the teachers. They are so kind, patient and teach using interactive lessons. The class sizes are small and this helps my concentration and allows me to ask more questions. I love going to Star Academy because the learning environment is just right for me. I also love how delicious the lunch program is! There are many other clubs offered such as coding, crafts, cooking and many sports. I like football, cross country and volleyball the best. For the older grades there is also leadership club and yearbook club. If I could change anything about the school, I would wish that there were more academic clubs (i.e. public speaking, debate, etc.). One thing I did not know before I came to Star Academy is that recess is before lunch. I personally enjoy this more because I can work up more of an appetite before lunch and it allows me to adjust from recess to class much easier. Overall, I did not have many surprises about Star Academy because I attended for a week in July 2017 since Star Academy also has a programme in July, which is great for new students.
With its small class sizes, Star Academy has been able to cater to the very different learning styles, social and academic needs of both our children (grades 7 and 3). On the one hand, we have a high-energy, social child who struggles to stay on task, concentrate and block distractions. Our other child is quiet, sensitive to noise, and socially shy and timid. Both have flourished, and developed newfound confidences – academically and socially at Star. Teacher and administration awareness of their individual needs has meant supports – regular movement breaks, chunking assignments, unique testing methods (making a brochure to explain integers)// in the moment coaching to deal with social confrontations, manage emotions and achieve a positive outcome (“sometimes you have to deliver a hard message with a smile). At Star they have become excited to go to school, engaged in their learning (homework is no longer a battle, dinner time is filled with talk of what they did that day), excited to share their achievements (test results – the good and the not so good, inclusion of a disabled child in an activity), and generally just happier kids.
If anything is lacking it is a robust intramural/extracurricular program - see below for details.
Logan loves to go to school again. He gets mad when I'm late leaving the house to drop him off. Things were different when he went to a public school though. He spent most of his time in avoidance. Avoiding going to school, avoiding doing his homework, avoiding studying for tests, avoiding talking about everything that was going on and mostly how he was failing to learn how to read and write - and this was in Grade 1 only! Needless to say, the whole family is relieved that we found Star Academy to help him learn and grow not just academically but also socially and emotionally. He has become a very mature-sounding, adult-like person in only two years at Star. Socially responsible, friendly and confident. I can hardly recognize the reluctant, angry student that he was. I am very grateful to the whole staff at Star Academy and to our paediatrician who recommended them to us.
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