North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
North Star membership
A Customized Academic Plan
Together we will envision and map a personal educational approach.
The academic plan will be based on the teen’s interests while also fulfilling the parent’s needs. North Star facilitates this process through discussion, brainstorming, and recommendations based on 16 years of supporting families through this process.
If the teen is under age 16 we will help you write this plan up as a homeschooling curriculum for submission to your local superintendent. This is a very straightforward process. Your superintendent's office will certify you as a homeschooler. This is the contract that makes leaving school legal for youth under age 16.
Personal Advisor
Each teen is assigned an advisor. Through regular meetings we help imagine and realize goals, track progress, and facilitate tutorials and community connections.
This relationship is at the core of the North Star experience.
Parent Conferences
Together North Star staff will meet with your family at least three times per year to envision possibilities and to review achievements. More meetings are scheduled as requested.
Parental involvement is expected. There are many opportunities for parents to be a part of our community.
Classes, Workshops, and Tutorials
North Star offers classes, workshops, and tutorials between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, four days per week.
Our classes represent the interests and passions of our current collection of staff and range from biology to yoga and anywhere in between. Most classes have fewer than 10 students. We have a core staff of long-term professionals and a large, extended staff composed of work study students from all of the five colleges, interns, and community volunteers currently ranging in age from 17 to 70.
North Star provides tutoring in a wide range of subjects, such as mathematics, foreign language, guitar, and computer programming, as available.
A New Way to Approach Learning, Education, and Life
Our focus is on the individual and his or her particular strengths, needs, and goals. We meet teens where they are and support them in becoming whomever they want to be.
Rather than focusing on weaknesses, we ask: "What are you good at? What do you love to do?" and build from there.
Music Program
Josh Wachtel leads the Music Program at North Star. The program includes many available group classes from chorus to improv to rock band, as well as individual music lessons.
Theater Program
Ellen Morbyrne has been directing the theater program at North Star for 10 years. In recent years she has been joined by co-director Nia Steiner.
Through our theater program teens thoroughly explore the art of theatre: ensemble-building, heightened physicality, dynamic vocal techniques, scene study and text work (both for scenes and for monologues), physical improvisation (solo and as an ensemble), and Improv exercises. Based on student interest, we present fall and spring Sharings of work done in class, and we will support the preparation of pieces that students might wish to share at the North Star Variety Shows. Fully-staged plays are audition-based and open to the whole North Star community – casting decisions are commensurate with actors’ demonstrated commitment, as well as talent, ability, and compatibility with available roles and other actors.
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens
Board of directorsas of 09/17/2019
J. Bernhard
Jack Rosenblum
John McDermott
Sue Surner
Joe O'Rourke
Greg Stutsman
Ramon Elani
Maya Turriago
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes