NSA Gym Rendering

Northstar Planning $7M Gym on Henrico Campus

NSA Gym Rendering
NSA Gym Rendering

Check out this feature article from Richmond BizSense about the groundbreaking for our new gym and track & field. CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE.


Students sitting in Northstar Academy's library.

Spring Open Houses

Students sitting in Northstar Academy's library.
Students sitting in Northstar Academy's library.

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.

Construction student on job site.
Construction student on job site.

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

RSVP NOW!


Career academy teacher assisting student with welding

Come Visit Campus!

Northstar Academy students with teacher outside in greenhouse
Northstar Academy students with teacher outside in greenhouse
Career academy teacher assisting student with welding
Career academy teacher assisting student with welding

 

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. 

RSVP NOW!


Northstar new building

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


Northstar student in library

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.


Career Academy presents a check to a representative of Red Cross

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.


Students at National Disability Employment Awareness Month event

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

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.


Northstar student Adeline working at Performance Food Group

Work is a joy for student at Henrico's Northstar Academy who has overcome barriers and challenges to earn a paycheck

Ask Adeline Raquet what she likes about her new job, and she replies without hesitation and without needing to mull over possible answers.

“I like it all,” she said.

When you’re 21 and you suffered a brain injury at birth as a result of being born 13 weeks prematurely, resulting in developmental delays, learning differences, anxiety and vision deficits, you are grateful for the opportunity to earn a paycheck. So it’s easy to understand why Raquet feels the way she does when people congratulate her on the new job.

Read more of the Richmond Times-Dispatch article here.


Northstar student playing on playground

Check out this new adaptive playground that just opened in Henrico

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A new type of playground designed for children with special needs was unveiled Wednesday at Northstar Academy on Shrader Road in Henrico County.

The playground, which is open to everyone, has new swings, slides, rock climbing and all types of new equipment to help children learn.

Teachers said that will give the students a chance to interact socially with other children in the area.

Read the full article on WTVR here.