Sculpture Exhibit Takes the Cake in Local News Feature
This month’s Plate and Goblet feature in the Henrico Citizen includes a special creative touch from Northstar students.
As part of a classroom project called Celebrating Success, students explored the playful food sculptures of artist Claes Oldenburg and then created their own party-themed food art. The exhibit was the first art show to display in the Daly Family Community Room and shown for two of this spring's biggest public events: the student talent show and the community ribbon cutting for Northstar's new gymnasium and community center.
Their whimsical creations—ranging from oversized cupcakes to sculpted grapes—reflect the imagination, joy, and confidence our students bring to their learning.
We’re thrilled that Northstar students’ artwork is part of this month's edition, showing how our students' talents and creative voices are being celebrated across the community.
Plate and Goblet is a popular food-focused column that highlights local culinary stories, restaurants, and community food events.
See more featured student artwork and read the full Henrico Citizen: Plate and Goblet article here.
Northstar Announces Grand Opening of State-of-the-Art Gymnasium and Community Center
Enhancing Educational and Athletic Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
Northstar Academy and Career Center is proud to announce the grand opening of its new gymnasium and community center. This milestone marks a significant enhancement in Northstar’s commitment to providing comprehensive educational and extracurricular opportunities for students with disabilities.
The almost 16,000 sq ft facility features a state-of-the-art gymnasium equipped with an integrated audio induction loop system, ensuring inclusivity for individuals with hearing impairments. This system is the first of its kind in a K-12 school gym in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition to serving as a venue for physical education classes, the gymnasium will host school assemblies, performances, and graduations, fostering a sense of community and school spirit.
During a ribbon cutting ceremony, students, faculty, and community members dedicated the space with pomp and circumstance. Festivities included a performance by the Northstar Cheer Club, a speech from recent Northstar graduate Will Griffin, as well as remarks from Board Chair Richard Bennett, M.D. and Crystal Trent, Head of School.
"This new facility embodies our dedication to creating an inclusive environment where all students can thrive," said Trent, "It not only provides a space for physical development but also enhances social interactions and community building among our students."
The event concluded with 9th grade student Emerson shooting a ceremonial first basket in a newly-dedicated basketball hoop.
Northstar’s quest to enhance its educational home began in 2022, when the school combined its separate K12 Academy and Career Center campuses and moved to the current Nuckols Road campus. The school now looks forward to the completion of a 200-meter track and activity field. The conclusion of this capital project brings Northstar closer to its vision of an inspiring campus tailored to the diverse needs of its students.
Northstar Planning $7M Gym on Henrico Campus
Check out this feature article from Richmond BizSense about the groundbreaking for our new gym and track & field. CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE.
Spring Open Houses
Both our Northstar Academy AND Northstar Career Academy campuses will be open to visitors during our Spring Open House on Saturday, April 23rd between the hours of 9am-12pm.
RSVP is strongly encouraged. RSVP HERE!
Northstar Academy provides instruction for students who have academic, physical or social challenges ages 5-21.
While Northstar Career Academy builds pathways to employment for young adults with academic, physical or social challenges ages 16-24.
We serve students from localities across Central Virginia including students from 16 different school systems.
This informal open house is open to everyone! Priority enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is currently happening. Discover if Northstar is the right fit for your child or young adult.
Drop by either or both campuses anytime between the hours of 9am-12pm on Saturday, February 19th and you will have the opportunity to:
- Tour the campus
- Learn about our programs and curriculum in lower, middle and upper school
- Learn about the 5 technical training programs offered at Career Academy - Business Technology, Construction & Maintenance, Hospitality, Materials Handling, Veterinary Assisting
- Speak with our Director of Admissions
- Learn about tuition and scholarships
- Get a glimpse into what the future holds for Northstar
Come Visit Campus!
Both our Northstar Academy AND Northstar Career Academy campuses will be open to visitors during our Winter Open House on Saturday, February 19th between the hours of 9am-12pm.
RSVP is strongly encouraged. RSVP HERE!
Northstar Academy provides instruction for students who have academic, physical or social challenges ages 5-21.
While Northstar Career Academy builds pathways to employment for young adults with academic, physical or social challenges ages 16-24.
We serve students from localities across Central Virginia including students from 16 different school systems.
This informal open house is open to everyone! Priority enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is quickly approaching. Discover if Northstar is the right fit for your child or young adult.
Drop by either or both campuses anytime between the hours of 9am-12pm on Saturday, February 19th and you will have the opportunity to:
- Tour the campus
- Learn about our programs and curriculum in lower, middle and upper school
- Learn about the 5 technical training programs offered at Career Academy - Business Technology, Construction & Maintenance, Hospitality, Materials Handling, Veterinary Assisting
- Speak with our Director of Admissions
- Learn about tuition and scholarships
- Get a glimpse into what the future holds for Northstar
Masks are required while on campus.
Transformational Move For Northstar Academy And Northstar Career Academy
RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 1999, Northstar Academy has proudly served hundreds of students with learning differences from our Shrader Road campus in Henrico County, Va.
The school has grown over the last 25 years, with approximately 125 students annually across two campuses (Northstar Career Academy is housed on Staples Mill Road). As a school that serves the Greater Richmond, Va. area, including 18 public school districts, and driven by Northstar's most recent Strategic Plan, the school's leadership sought a new property to support the critical need to expand and provide the most accessible and inclusive environment possible for their community of learners.
Northstar purchased an incredible property that exceeded all hopes and expectations - the former Strayer University campus on Nuckols Road in Henrico County, Va. This new location offers ample opportunity and benefits, some of which include:
- It is just over 5 miles from its current location.
- It is very accessible from major roadways - Interstates 295 and 64, and State Route 288.
- The facility sits on over 10 acres and is more than 21,000 square feet.
- It provides access to nature and greenspace.
- The facility is fully ADA-compliant and has spacious hallways and classrooms.
- The facility and property are large enough to accommodate both Academic and Career Academy students in one location.
According to Northstar's head of school, Crystal Trent, "This property is what we would build if we were raising a school from the ground up. Our students are excited about a highly engaging learning space with more natural light and green space. This new building will offer more space for our teachers to implement the customized learning approaches they develop for our students."
This announcement comes at the midpoint of Northstar's capital campaign. Though additional community support is still needed to realize the full vision for the space, this property was undeniably the best option for Northstar students and faculty. Northstar is incredibly thankful for the early campaign donors who have supported this exciting purchase and believed in our vision to relocate to a space worthy of our exceptional students. With the support of our donors, and because Northstar Academy has been an excellent steward of its funds in the past, the school was able to secure this building while still in the midst of its campaign fundraising. Northstar will continue to solicit funds for vital improvements to the property, including adding a gymnasium, athletic fields, and interior facility renovations.
"The board of trustees has done an enormous amount of work to create the foundation for a successful campaign, both in terms of planning and fundraising," said Northstar's director of development, Lindsay Lane Robinson. "Their generosity is a testament to the community's belief in the importance of this project."
For more information about the move, or to make a donation to the capital campaign, contact Lindsay Lane Robinson at 804-747-1003 or lrobinson@northstarva.org.
About Northstar Academy: Northstar Academy promotes educational excellence and career opportunities for students with disabilities who have academic, physical, or social challenges. Northstar Academy is licensed by the Virginia Department of Education and is a fully accredited member of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its education policies, admission policies, programs or athletic and other school administered programs. Learn more at www.northstarva.org.
View press release here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transformational-move-for-northstar-academy-and-northstar-career-academy-301378989.html?tc=eml_cleartime
Richmond student collects 100-plus books for abilities library to inspire classmates
RICHMOND, Va. -- A Richmond student is inspiring classmates by showing them what they can do despite daily challenges they may face.
Brennan, a middle school student at Richmond's Northstar Academy, donated the Discovering Abilities Library at the school.
Each book features a main character living with a disability.
Read more of the WTVR CBS 6 article here.
Northstar Career Academy student raised money to support those impacted by Hurricane Dorian.
RICHMOND, Va. --
Northstar Career Academy student raised money to support those impacted by Hurricane Dorian.
To see the video from The American Red Cross, click here.
Organization works to help those with disabilities join the workforce
It's National Disability Employment Awareness Month! There are so many living with a disability who are capable of working but unable to find a job. I got to meet with people from this amazing organization who are working to change that: Northstar Academy.
View full WTVR CBS 6 video here.
Northstar Career Academy celebrated abilities at work to kick off National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month
Northstar Career Academy celebrated abilities at work to kick off National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month.
People with disabilities have barriers to finding competitive employment and today, we commemorated our students and alumni and their hard work, the businesses that create jobs for a diverse workforce and governmental practices that allow for young adults with disabilities overcome barriers and contribute to their communities.
View full Know Different article here.