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 I like the time and dedication that is given to the students. I like the way students are motivated and expected to excel. The students are expected to be responsible, mature, young men and women. 
- Anonymous Parent Survey Response, July 2003
North Star Academy Charter School of Newark is characterized by a culture that is orderly, supportive and focused on academic work. The ethos of the community is mutual care and respect. Discipline and order exist in a school when students are known and cared for by all of the faculty and staff and when their life within the school is meaningful to them. Given the sense of community within the school and the active engagement of students in their learning, there will be less opportunity for disruption and problems. The administrators and teachers strive to ensure that rules are fairly and consistently enforced.
Core Values
Four core values - caring, respect, responsibility, and justice - are at the heart of North Star's community and represent the cornerstones of the school's Code of Conduct. It is expected that all students will try to live by these values. During the first week of school, students examine and discuss each value. At the end of the week, all new students are invited to join the community by signing a pledge to live by these values.
Respect
The most important value at North Star is respect. Helping students develop the art of respect is a school-wide goal and will be modeled by all adults at North Star. The code serves as the operational glue that holds the community together. The students are expected to demonstrate the following elements of respect:
SELF-RESPECT -- by their manner and in their school uniform dress, students are to carry themselves with a sense of dignity.
RESPECT TO PEERS -- by showing support and encouragement; by refraining from insulting, deriding, bullying, or humiliating others; and by refraining from physically, emotionally or sexually harassing other students.
RESPECT FOR ALL ADULTS -- by listening and following instructions; by using appropriate tone of voice; by honoring a teacher's need to present a lesson to the entire class; by demonstrating an awareness of the appropriate time and place to disagree with a teacher's decision; and by accepting feedback.
RESPECT FOR DIFFERENCES -- by demonstrating sensitivity to physical, cultural, religious, gender, and sexual orientation differences, and by refraining from the use of stereotypes.
RESPECT FOR PROPERTY -- by respecting their personal property and the property of other students; by maintaining their textbooks and other materials; and by caring for the school grounds and property, especially by pitching in to keep them clean and neat. (Items that could be used to deface property are forbidden in school.)
Academics & Learning
This is the most fundamental aspect of the school. North Star's mission is to provide high standards and high expectations in an academic program that will prepare students for college. Therefore, students are expected to:
- BE ON TIME to school and to each of their classes and activities every day;
- WORK HARD in their studies;
- BE PREPARED for class;
- BE ON TASK in class;
- PARTICIPATE in all activities;
- COMPLETE HOMEWORK assignments, which will be given each night, and all assigned school projects.
Attendance
To succeed at North Star, students must be present. So much learning goes on each day that cannot be sent home and made up. Students who miss a lot of school do not perform as well as those who attend every day. Therefore, students are to come to school unless they are so sick that they cannot function. If a child is to be out, the parent must call the school in the morning and explain what is wrong. If a student is out frequently or for consecutive days, the school must have a doctor's note explaining the absence. Students must not stay home to baby sit their siblings. In the high school, students' credits are connected to attendance. If a student misses too many days, s/he will be in danger of losing credits.
Attendance - Summer Session
The summer session at North Star runs from the end of June through July. It is a required part of North Star's eleven-month school year. It is not optional, nor a traditional summer school. It is mandatory for all students. Choosing North Star entails choosing this eleven-month school year. Parents should be fully aware that when they sign up their child they are committing to the entire program for all the years that their child is enrolled. Parents should not plan family vacations during July. Any absences for traveling purposes or for summer camps will not be considered excused. They will be considered part of the child's attendance record and, if excessive, may place a child in danger of retention or loss of high school credit.
Punctuality & Tardiness
Punctuality is also very important at North Star Academy. It is an important life skill that students will need throughout their lives. Students who are late will face consequences including apologizing in the circle and getting detentions. In the high school, students will risk losing academic credits for consistent tardiness.
Arrival & Early Morning Privileges
North Star Academy officially opens its doors at 7:30 a.m. each day, approximately 30 minutes before the start of the morning circle, which begins the academic program. Students may arrive early, partake of the free breakfast, participate in sporting activities on the field, and sit in the commons room quietly doing work or chatting quietly with peers. Coming into school early is a privilege and will be revoked if a student becomes a behavior problem in the morning. Early bird students should enter the school through the rear door. The front door opens at 8:00 a.m.
Dismissal and After School Policies
North Star conducts a wide array of after-school activities - clubs, sport teams, tutoring, and detention. Students are encouraged to stay after school if they are registered for and involved in a structured, supervised, and sanctioned school activity. They may not, however, stay after school to hang out or wait for a friend or sibling. North Star does NOT provide an after-care or child-care service. By 3:45 pm, all students who are not involved in a structured, supervised activity must leave the building or go into a structured study hall. Failure to do so will result in a detention. Students waiting for a ride must go to the designated study hall room and quietly do homework until picked up. Students who abuse this after school privilege will have to depart at 3:30 p.m.
In the instance where a student receives an after-school detention, s/he will be permitted to contact a parent by telephone when necessary.
If students are picked up from school, parents (or their designees) are expected to do so on a timely basis; to be very familiar with the days on which students have scheduled activities (or detentions); and to communicate in advance about transportation plans. When children are left at school past 5:00 pm (and not registered in a planned school activity), North Star staff members are obligated to notify the Division of Youth and Family Services of an instance of child neglect.
Lunch Procedures
Students must remain seated during lunch. They are to keep their voices low and controlled. Students are required to keep their tables clean and wiped after both breakfast and lunch. Students who do not keep their tables clean will lose recess privileges and may lose table privileges.
Zero Tolerance for Fighting
There is zero tolerance for fighting. In almost every case, both students will be suspended. Parents will be required to come to school and to pick up the students involved in the fight on the day of the incident. The school will teach non-violent conflict resolution. Students are expected to use the techniques of conflict-resolution to settle all disputes in a non-violent manner. Faculty will be trained to spot problems and students are expected to report conflicts before they escalate.
No Electronic Devices in School
Students should not have electronic devices in school. This includes games (Gameboys, etc.), CD-players and portable stereos (walkmans), cell phones, and beepers. None of these devices are needed and often represent a distraction from successful academics and a serious atmosphere. In addition, these are items that cause conflict and lead to grief when lost or stolen. While North Star obviously strives to prevent theft of any item, the school will not spend extra energy tracking down electronic devices that should not be in school in the first place. In the event that a student disobeys this rule and uses a prohibited electronic device in school, a staff member will confiscate it. On the first offense, the device will be returned to the student at the end of the day, when s/he leaves North Star. On the second offense, it will be kept until the parent comes in to retrieve it.
Phone Use
Although North Star aims to have as much communication as possible with its families, students in the past have abused telephone privileges. Therefore, the school must confine phone use to those situations that stem from health and safety issues; emergencies; or when students need to contact parents to let them know they must stay after school for a detention received that day. The office phone will be off-limits for students from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Students and their parents must arrange pick-up times in advance of school and should not come to expect a daily phone call. In addition, parents should not rely on North Star staff to relay messages to their children during school hours except in emergency cases. Finally, students are not permitted to bring a beeper or a cell phone to school. These items must be left at home.
Internet and Computer Use
The North Star Academy computer network is provided for students to conduct research, complete assignments, and communicate with others. Access to network services is given to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Parent permission is required! Access is a privilege - not a right. Access entails responsibility.
Students are responsible for good behavior using the computers just as they are in a classroom or school hallway. Computer network storage (hard drives and personal folders) may be treated like school lockers. Network administrators and teachers may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are using the system responsibly.
The following misuses of the computer system are not permitted:
- Sending and/or displaying hateful or pornographic messages or pictures
- Using abusive, threatening or inappropriate language
- Harassing, insulting or attacking others
- Engaging in or promoting violence
- Engaging in racial, gender, or other slurs
- Receiving or transmitting information pertaining to weapons, such as bombs, automatic weapons, illicit firearms or explosive devices
- Damaging technology equipment (computer systems, computer networks, TVs, VCRs, digital cameras, or scanners)
- Violating copyright laws (copy internet or other materials without permission)
- Using others' passwords
- Trespassing in other students and/or teachers' folders, work, or files
- Intentionally wasting limited resources
- Employing the computer network for commercial purposes
- Transmitting personal information without written parental consent
- Accessing areas considered borderline without written parental consent
- Hacking (attempt to gain unauthorized access to files, folders, and/or other systems)
Violations will result in loss of computer use as well as other disciplinary or legal action.
School Uniforms
School uniforms must be worn at all times. They are meant to stress the fundamental equality of all students and to remove the distractions created by the status consciousness associated with clothing and sneaker fashion. These distractions, in many schools, lead to unwholesome competition and even violence. The school is a place for serious work and learning. (Uniforms can be purchased from David Burr, 925 Springfield Avenue, Irvington, NJ, 07111. Tel: 973-373-7212.) Parents will be informed that if their child is out of uniform, and will be asked to bring the proper uniform to school immediately. If this is not possible, then the student will wear a substitute uniform or will be sent home. Please note that students must have a David Burr uniform and not have substitutions unless explicitly approved by the administration. Students are not to wear too much jewelry and are not allowed to wear any headgear unless it is religious in nature. Students are not allowed to have anything that shows gang colors or affiliation. Bandanas are never allowed and will be confiscated and given back only to parents. T-Shirts should be white and must be tucked in to the skirt or pants of a student and not sticking out.
Middle School Uniform:
- Standard khaki pants: only 2-4 pockets, correct fit with a belt (no baggy style), no brand names showing. Or khaki skirt. Both available at David Burr.
- North Star green polo shirt: long sleeve or short sleeve, available at David Burr.
- North Star green sweater: available at David Burr. Or North Star sweatshirt (available for $14.00 at North Star.)
- Dark Shoes or boots. Please make sure they are not brightly colored or are not disguised sneakers.
High School Uniform:
- Standard khaki pants: only 2-4 pockets, correct fit with a belt (no baggy style), no brand names showing. Or khaki skirt. Both available at David Burr.
- North Star blue polo shirt.
- Dark Shoes or boots. Please make sure they are not brightly colored or are not disguised sneakers.
Summer Uniform:
All standard uniform options plus:
- Khaki shorts not more than 2 inches above the knee; brand names should not be displayed
- 2/3 length capris that are not tight-fitting
- Sneakers or appropriate sandals
Physical Education Uniform:
In addition to the regular uniform, students need certain items to participate in physical education classes:
- Sneakers
- Official North Star t-shirt and/or North Star sweatshirt
- Gym shorts (available at David Burr)
- Bathing suits and towels (during periods of swimming activities).
These items are necessary for the students' learning and must be brought to school on the required day. It is not the student's option to refuse participate unless there is a documented medical reason. Students who are chronically unprepared will receive both teacher detention and major detention and will be in jeopardy of failing physical education class.
Substance Abuse Policy
Each fall, parents may request a copy of North Star's complete Substance Abuse policy. In short, any student who is suspected to be under the influence of a controlled substance will be required to have an immediate physical examination and drug test by a physician. If a student's parent cannot arrange an immediate examination then the school will take the student to the school's physician, Dr. Marc Roberts next door to the school. The student will also be subject to suspension. If the test results are positive then the student will have to have an evaluation and assessment done by a drug and alcohol counselor to determine the nature and severity of the problem. The student must then follow the recommendations and treatment in order to continue at North Star. Repeated violations may result in expulsion. Selling or use of controlled substances on school property may also result in expulsion.
Security
Students are never allowed to admit anyone to the school premises except for a teacher, staff member or fellow student unless a staff member is present and gives permission.
Fire Alarm
Any time the fire alarm goes off (including regularly scheduled fire drills), students must obey the following procedures:
- Listen for the fire alarm;
- Line up immediately and be silent;
- Walk silently to the designated exit and line up outside.
School Chores
As a part of the North Star community, students are expected to pitch in and help out with keeping the school clean. Just like at home, students will have chores to do around the school. In addition, community service work around the school may be assigned as a consequence for behavior.
Reward Opportunities
Community Circle Recognition: Teachers will recognize students who have shown growth or improvement, done well on a quiz, project or quiz or have been consistent with their homework.
Community Circle Team Contest: Student teams work to earn team points for rewards. Team points are awarded for such behaviors as good attendance, punctuality, uniform, doing school chores and getting green folders signed. Students need to gain a certain number of points to receive rewards such as a class pizza party.
Students of the Month: On the first Friday of the Month, individual students will be rewarded with student of the month awards including circle recognition, bulletin board recognition, small prizes such as bookmarks, pens, pins, certificates or lunch treats.
Honor Roll: Students may also achieve Honor Roll status each trimester by earning at least all B's on their report cards or High Honors by getting straight A's. Individual students will be rewarded with circle recognition, bulletin board recognition, certificates and/or t-shirts.
GEAR-UP Scholar Dollars: Students enrolled in the middle school can earn money to be put into a college savings account. Scholar dollars will be awarded for academic achievement, winning academic challenges, and participating in parent-student events.
Team Grade Point Average Contest: Each marking period student teams will compete to see which team has the highest GPA and the team with the highest average will receive recognition and rewards.
End of the Year Awards Ceremony: Students will be recognized for academic achievement, academic growth, test scores, attendance, sports, clubs and other areas.
Group Punishments
North Star retains the right, during particularly difficult circumstances, to keep groups of students or an entire class of students after school. The school does not seek to punish the good with the bad, but it believes that we are all responsible for each other - that the actions of some of us do impact, and are impacted by, the entire group.
Public Apologies
North Star believes deeply in the idea of community - believes that we are all responsible for our actions and how they impact others. Therefore, it is required that students publicly apologize during community circle if they have violated this code of conduct. In a proper apology, a student must articulate what s/he did wrong, demonstrate an understanding of how s/he broke one of the core values that s/he had pledged to live by, and show how s/he will act differently in the future. In addition, as a means of urging the habit of timeliness and maintaining accountability, tardy students are required to step into the circle and apologize to the community for being late.
Other Rules
North Star retains the right to create other rules and consequences as required by specific situations.
Consequences
When students break the code of conduct, they will face a series of consequences agreed upon and supported by all the teachers and parents. These consequences progress in a hierarchy designed to deter a student from poor choices.
Benching
One such consequence that happens during class is benching. Students who misbehave in class or do not keep up with the work can be benched. Benching entails sitting at a designated desk in the back of the room where you are not allowed to talk or interact with any peers or with the teacher. Students who talk while on the bench will be removed from class, and receive even more consequences. The idea behind the bench is that the student has become like an athlete who is unable to participate in the game and must remain on the bench. When the student is able to behave and does his/her work then s/he will be invited once again to participate in class. Students who become repeatedly benched will receive additional consequences.
Loss of Privileges
North Star offers students many privileges that can be taken away as a consequence for poor behavior. These include loss of recess, coming to school early or staying late, participating in after school clubs and teams, and using the computer room.
Detention
Teachers may keep students after school in "detention" due to behavior problems or incomplete work. Parents will be informed of a child's detention record and of office referrals but may not receive daily contact about detentions. By signing the covenant the parent agrees to support all after school detentions and understands that their child will have to stay late on the day of his/her offense. Detentions will operate on two levels:
TEACHER DETENTION - held at lunch, after school or in the early morning
- Tardiness
- Incomplete work
- Off-task or unprepared in class
- Not wearing school uniform
- Talking during fire drill
- Excessive talking or fooling in class
- Not following directions
- Failing to return the green folder signed by parent
MAJOR DETENTION - held after school for one hour
Major Detention will be written up on a Detention Form. These are available for parents to review.
- Cheating
- Disrespect of an adult or peers
- Disrespect of school property or the property of others
- Improper language -- profanity in public
- Habitual tardiness
- Repeated gum chewing offenses or chewing gum on the field
- Unexcused absence or tardiness to class
- Not wearing school uniform
- Refusing to follow a teacher's instructions
- Habitually being unprepared for class
- Not caring for school textbooks and leaving them on the floor or lying around the school
- Using a school telephone without a teacher's permission
- Being in the building unsupervised after 3:45 p.m.
- Office referral: students may be asked to leave a classroom if their disruptive behavior prevents their peers from learning
In-House Suspension
North Star may require students to serve an in-house suspension during which they are not allowed to travel to their classes but must spend the school day supervised in one of the school offices doing their schoolwork. These in-house suspensions may be given for students who skip a teacher detention or who demonstrate disruptive behavior. They may also be given in cases where a student needs to be sent home but North Star is unable to reach a parent. During an in-house suspension a student will be given work that must be completed and signed by his/her teachers before he/she can be dismissed at 4:30 p.m. Students who violate rules while on in-house suspension will be given an extra hour or sent home.
Suspension
To create and maintain a safe, supportive, fair and reliable school community and culture, North Star will suspend students from school -- or create "in-house" suspensions -- when there are serious breaches in the discipline code. A student may be suspended for one to three days at the request of the Dean of Students with the approval of one of the co-directors. The co-directors must decide suspension of a greater length after discussion with the faculty. The board will be notified of all suspensions longer than three days. In all cases, parents or guardians will be informed of a suspension and will be required to attend a conference to address it. Suspended students are required to apologize publicly during morning circle before rejoining the community. Causes for student suspension include, but are not limited to:
- Fighting or physical assault of another student
- Assault of teacher, staff member, or other adult at school
- Taking or attempting to take money or property from another student
- Constant disruptive behavior or continued and willful disobedience
- Excessive disrespect
- Harassment or violent threats
- Open defiance of authority
- Willfully causing or attempting to cause defacement or substantial damage to school property
- Skipping class or truancy - this may also result in a mandatory Saturday session
- Possessing, using, or dispensing illegal substances such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or firecrackers (Any illegal substances will also be reported to the police, as required by law.)
- Accruing many office referrals or excessive "Major Detentions"
- Repeated uniform violations
- Skipping detention
- Failure of the parent to pick up the report card or live up to other requirements of the covenant
Mandatory Parent Attendance
Students who are repeatedly suspended or become class disruptions may be required to attend school with their parent to ensure that the behavior does not continue.
Expulsion
Expulsion will be reserved for students whose conduct is of such character as to constitute a continuing danger to the physical well being of other students and/or the staff. There will be zero tolerance for bringing a gun or deadly weapon to school or for any assault on school employees or students. A student may also be liable for expulsion for possession, use of, or selling of alcohol or controlled dangerous substances while on school property. Expulsion might also be used when a student is so repeatedly disruptive that a teacher and classroom cannot function. Or it might apply to a student who ends up being suspended constantly and shows no evidence of desiring to change the problem behaviors such as continued and willful disobedience and/or open defiance of authority. In each case, the student up for expulsion would have to be one who has not responded to other forms of discipline and support, such as behavior modification plans, detention, suspension, advisor support, parental involvement and counseling. For a student to be expelled, the process must be initiated by both co-directors and must include discussion with the entire faculty and a hearing with the student's parents where a co-director and the dean of students and/or family service coordinator are present. The decision must be finalized with board approval, but students -- with their families -- may appeal the decision to the board.
North Star students participated in numerous, rich outdoor education experiences, and a wide variety of city trips, broadening their sense of the world as their classroom.
Project Use:
Collaborating with Project USE, the leader in outdoor education in New Jersey, North Star continued to provide a rich offering of adventure and environmental experiences for its students. Each class of North Star students went on at least one day-long outdoor education trip:
- Project Use trips: Fifth grade students studied organic farming at Genesis Farm (Blairstown). Sixth graders participated in outdoor service projects in Waywayanda State Park. At Wildcat Mountain (West Milford), 7th graders participated in rock climbing and 8th graders participated in an overnight canoe and hiking trip. Ninth grade girls and boys went on three-day, single-sex backpacking trips along the Appalachian Trail. All students participated in initiative games and developed teamwork skills. Once during each trimester, a mixed-grade group of students took a day to participate in a trip rewarding their citizenship and academic accomplishments; trips included cross-country skiing, canoeing, and hiking.
- Princeton-Blairstown overnights: 6th and 7th graders went on two-day overnight trips in Hardwick, New Jersey, where they studied the environment; participated in a variety of team-building exercises; and climbed on ropes courses.
- Kids Camp: North Star fifth graders spent two days at this outdoor education, group-building program in Blairstown, NJ, working on team games and learning in the Mountain Classroom program. Fifth and sixth graders returned to Kids Camp during the July session for two additional days of outdoor education, ecology, and athletic instruction.
- Native American Way Experience: 9th graders spent an overnight experience in Bass River State Park as a part of their Native American Way Project. They formed tribes and learned the customs and rituals associated with tribal life. They also designed Native American clothing and addressed the larger issues of ethnic stereotyping.
- Exploring the Hudson River: 5th graders participated in a unique partnership that included sailing aboard the Mystic Whaler on the Hudson River to study environmental science.
- South Dakota Volunteer Project: North Star sent two high school students to do a month of volunteer construction and community work on the Rosebud Native American Reservation in South Dakota, the third year North Star students have participated in this project. A North Star teacher accompanied the students this year and served as a team leader.
- Independent lake camp: Through a partnership agreement, twelve North Star students received full scholarships to attend this four-week international summer program in Orson, Pennsylvania (Pocono region) which provides enriched activities in outdoor education, sports, visual arts, and music.
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): A North Star 9th grader completed a 14-day wilderness trip in Teton Valley, Wyoming. This was North Star's third year of NOLS participation.
- Brantwood Camp: North Star facilitated a summer camp experience for middle school students at Brantwood Camp in Peterborough, New Hampshire. For the fifth year in a row, Brantwood recruited students at North Star and provided them with camp scholarships for a high quality, full-service, 17-day camp near Mount Monadnock. Two dozen North Star students have attended the camp over the past five years.
- Appel Farm Camp: Nine North Star students attended this two-week arts-focused camp (the third year of North Star's participation) in Elmer, New Jersey to enrich their studies in visual and performing arts.
Field trips:
North Star students went on a variety of other trips outside of Newark, including:
- Historical Sites: Students enriched their understanding of major historical events by visiting important sites in our nation's history. Visits included Independence Hall (Philadelphia), Waterloo Village, Clinton Barracks Museum, and the Morristown Historical Site, and the New Jersey Historical Society.
- Museum trips: Various grade levels attended exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and the Guggenheim Museum.
- Jewish Heritage Museum: 8th graders had the opportunity to listen to first-hand experiences from a Holocaust survivor at New York City's Jewish Heritage Museum - Holocaust Museum.
- Deloitte Consulting Impact Day: 25 high school students had the opportunity to be consultants for a day at Deloitte Consulting as a part of the firm's Impact Day. Students learned interview and resume building skills, formally interviewed for the job (receiving feedback on every aspect of their verbal and nonverbal communication skills), and participated in a 4-hour consulting simulation trying to turn around a struggling amusement park.
- Washington Heights immersion: 10th graders put their Spanish classes to use in a full-day immersion in Washington Heights. They navigated their way through the neighborhood and ordered food entirely in Spanish.
- Harlem experience: 11th graders experienced Harlem while reading Their Eyes Were Watching God. During the trip, students learned about Jazz music from Wynton Marsalis.
North Star students participated in selective, rigorous enrichment programs during the school year.
Students in all grades participated in a wide variety of enrichment activities. High school students engaged in civic, artistic, and entrepreneurial studies through regional workshops which brought them together with other top students, community leaders, expert artists, and politicians from Newark and New Jersey. Two high schools students represented the school as a formal debate team in conjunction with Science High.
Students were selected to participate in the following supplemental programs:
- NJ SEEDS
- Montclair State University Gifted and Talented Program
- Science High Debate Team
- Newark's Do Something's Global Network Initiative
- FBI Summer Training Institute
- New Jersey Police Academy
- Printmaking Council of NJ Workshop
- Nandi School of Art (Montclair)
North Star offered a wide variety of after-school enrichment activities.
North Star sustained its array of extra-curricular offerings and almost all students participated in at least one after-school activity during the year. The activities and their salient accomplishments are listed below:
High School:
- Student Council (high school)
- National Honors Society - first seven members inducted in April
- Community Service Club - two successful fundraisers (Penny Drive for Breast Cancer and Fundraiser for Famine Relief in Southern Africa) and volunteer work at St. John's soup kitchen
- High School Track Team - participation in dual meets and regional events
- North Star Step Team - 3rd place in Newark NAACP Step Show Competition
- Drama Club
Middle School:
- Young Leaders Club (middle school student council)
- 7th grade Honors Group - read To Kill a Mockingbird and Inherit the Wind and visited NBC studios
- Basketball Team - regular season champions in citywide league; second place in season-ending playoffs
- Computer Art Club
- Fine Arts Club
Middle and High School:
- Latino Cultural Celebration (November)
- Kwanzaa Marketplace (December)
- Black History Month Celebration (February)
- Flag Football Club - more than 50 participants
- Guitar Club - 12 students met weekly before school and performed at school events
- Intramural Soccer Club
Other North Star students participated on local high schools' football and basketball teams. One student was a member of the state champion women's varsity basketball team.
North Star expanded its high school college guidance program with individualized student advising, college visits, and parent workshops.
North Star committed important resources towards its college program by increasing the role of the school's college placement director. This individual built relationships with college admissions recruiters and with our students and families. The activities that resulted were as follows:
- Comprehensive College Application Process: North Star seniors write personal statements and create resumes. They apply to numerous colleges and scholarship opportunities. Up to this writing every senior has been accepted to at least one 4 year college.
- Colleges Visiting North Star: Over fourty college admissions officers have come to North Star to talk about their schools and recruit North Star students. Those universities include Swarthmore, West Point, Syracuse, Rutgers, and Boston.
- North Star college trips: High school students have participated in various college visits. They visited Columbia University and New York University on a one-day trip into Manhattan where they talked to college students and admissions counselors as well as toured the campus. On one overnight trip the students visited colleges in western Pennsylvania (Lehigh University, Kutztown University, and Shippensburg University). On the second overnight trip, North Star students traveled to Philadelphia (Temple University, Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and Lincoln University). A third trip visited schools in Boston. Students had the opportunity to experience a slice of college life: they attended college classes, lived in college dorm rooms, ate in college cafeterias, and talked with university professors and admissions officers.
- Parent-student College Nights: Students and their parents attended three parent workshops focused on getting ready for college. The presentations at the workshops included: saving for college/financial planning (First Union Bank and American Express), college research (Wight Foundation), college admissions process (College of New Jersey), and the Educational Opportunity Fund Program (College of St. Elizabeth and Drew University).
- University of Vermont experience: Five 11th graders were selected to attend the University of Vermont College Experience, a four-day/three-night college immersion experience on the college's campus - all expenses paid. The students attended classes with other prospective students and experience college life in depth.
Homework Helpers for Students
Student Research Tools
Quick Links To Common Reference Materials
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