Placement
New students at Star are assessed and placed in an appropriate homeroom class.
Assessment
Each student begins Star Academy with an in-depth educational assessment leading to the development of a highly individualized education plan. This assessment also determines with whom they will work, and the frequency with which they will receive specialist services. Based on Star’s educational assessment, each student is placed into one of several homeroom classes.
Classrooms
Star Academy has seven multi-age classrooms. Class sizes are small, with up to 12 students per class. Classroom teachers use multi-sensory, hands-on teaching techniques and follow a curriculum based on California state content guidelines.
Homeroom Classrooms (2010-2011)
Grades 1-5 with Gayle
Grades 5-6 with Mariette
Grade 6 with Ryan
Grades 6-7 with Marisa
Grade 8 with Kelly
Grades 9-10 with Sara
Grades 9-12 with Lynn
Curriculum
Our classroom curriculum includes all subjects typically found in traditional schools. Unlike traditional schools, this curriculum is individualized for the students’ needs and closely coordinated and integrated with the work specialists do one-on-one and in small groups with each student. In addition, a specialized skill-building curriculum is integrated into the classroom curriculum to address special areas of need, such as study skills, organizational skills, self-management, and social communication skills.
Classroom curriculum includes:
- Language arts
- Math (Making Math Real)
- Science
- History
- Geography
- Social Studies
- Journalism and other high school electives
- Internet research, keyboarding, and MSOffice
- Physical education and cross training
- Music
- Drama
- Art
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Study skills
- Social skills
Values
The values students learn at Star include:
- Respect for self and others
- Understanding and enjoying diversity
- Friendship: creating a sense of community, inclusion and belonging
- Service to others and community
- Productive habits
- Self-discipline and self-awareness
- Goal setting, planning, taking action
- Facing challenges and learning to move through frustration, disappointment and stress
- Taking responsibility and keeping agreements
- Communication: reaching out to others, sharing feelings, being supportive, and resolving conflicts
- Empathy and compassion
- Knowledge
- Integrity
