Pomp and Circumstance for Graduates
The staff and faculty of Northstar are pleased to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2025. On Thursday, June 5, students, families, and loved ones gathered in the gymnasium and community center to honor nine graduates from the Academy and 21 students who completed their programs at the Career Center.
"Throughout their years at Northstar, our students work tirelessly to reach their goals and pursue their dreams," said Wanda Ramsey, Assistant Head of School.
One of Northstar’s most cherished traditions is the senior essay. In the weeks leading up to graduation, every senior reflects on their educational journey by writing a personal essay. In them, they describe past challenges, growth, future plans, and the people who have supported them along the way. Each candidate takes the podium to share these heartfelt stories during Baccalaureate, a special ceremony held the evening before graduation. This year, Northstar's family volunteer group SCOPE (Seeking Careers, Opportunities, Possibilities, and Education) awarded two students, Maya and Bryan, with scholarships to support their next educational adventure.
"Since being at Northstar I've improved my reading by at least four grade levels and passed all the tests I needed to graduate. I've also gotten to work as a mentor for one of my classmates whose disability impacts her differently than mine. Being at this school with classmates with so many differences has made me a lot more empathetic and understanding . . . . I want to use my voice to advocate for people like me when it comes to people with learning disabilities and mental health. I want to show everyone else who has a disability like me that they can be successful and they can chase their dreams."-Maya, a 2025 graduate
At Northstar, we believe every student deserves a customized education tailored to their unique strengths and abilities. Graduation day is not just a milestone — it’s a celebration of the incredible journeys, hard work, and perseverance that brought each student to this moment. Our students have the flexibility to pursue various pathways, with options to earn an advanced, standard, or applied studies diploma, reflecting their personal goals and accomplishments.
Our graduates also earned a variety of credentials across Career Center's five specialized program tracks: Hospitality, Construction and Maintenance, Business Technology, Materials Handling, and Veterinary Assisting. Each credential represents dedication, skill-building, and workplace readiness for exciting next steps.
Congratulations to the incredible Northstar Class of 2025!
Northstar Cheer Club Steps in Style at Richmond Urban Dance
"Step, step, cross. Step, step, cross."
That’s how it all began as 20 students from Northstar’s Cheer Club laced up their sneakers and took to the dance floor at Richmond Urban Dance. During this exciting field trip, students had the opportunity to learn a brand-new routine taught by professional instructors in a welcoming, high-energy environment.
"First we did the Cha-Cha Slide, then the teacher taught us new choreography for a new song," said 7th grader Laureli. "We got to do our own dances, too, which was really fun."
“It was incredible how quickly the students picked up the routine,” said Northstar board member Nancy Jordan, who attended the session.
As the hour-long class came to a close, the dancers gathered in a supportive circle, and each student had the chance to shine with a freestyle moment in the center — cheered on by their peers and beaming with confidence.
“It made my week to see their smiling faces and to watch them cheer each other on as they danced!” Jordan added.
Cheer Club is an inclusive club available to any Northstar middle or upper school student. Northstar includes extracurricular activities as part providing a well-rounded school experience to every student.
Richmond Urban Dance offers a free weekly class designed for people with disabilities, providing an inclusive space where creativity, movement, and self-expression take center stage.
Practicing Self-Advocacy Skills in the Classroom
May I use the restroom? Do we have glue sticks? Can you explain what you mean?
These are everyday questions in any classroom. But for students with a learning disability, even simple questions can feel daunting. At Northstar, students build the confidence and communication skills to advocate and speak up for their needs.
Northstar values educating students about social skills to help them reach their potential. Each month our advisory class focuses on a different theme.
“Teaching self-advocacy is one of the most important things we do for our students here at Northstar,” says Northstar teacher Hailey Shinault. It empowers students to ask follow-up questions, request breaks, and take ownership of their learning. We are setting them up for long-term success. “
Northstar Academy, in collaboration with UVA Child Development and Kluge Rehabilitation Center, has developed a proprietary social skills curriculum. Each day in Advisory Class, along with reinforcement throughout the day, students grow their executive function skills, self-regulation abilities and metacognitive (thought awareness, planning, and goal setting) abilities.
These building blocks not only help students while they’re in school, Shinault explains, but they prepare students and build the confidence to meet life challenges and grow.
Students practice raising their hands in front of the class and asking questions. As part of the lesson, the students learn to express how they feel when they advocate for themselves. Students offer words like empowered, brave, and capable.
Doc, an upper school student, says confidently, “I feel happy. I can do it.”
The teachers use their own experiences as examples of self-advocacy, too. Shinault asks the students to help her clean off the desks and put items in their proper place. “What am I doing when I ask you for help?” she asks the students.
There is a resounding response: “Advocating.”
At Northstar, self-advocacy is more than a skill, it’s a key to unlocking confidence, independence, and future success.
This Is What Success Looks Like: Voices from Northstar
At Northstar Academy, success looks different for every student—and that’s exactly the point.
In the video "This is What Success Looks Like," students and staff share, in their own words, what makes them successful in a community built on support, understanding, and individualized learning.
The inspiring video offers a glimpse into the lives of its students and staff, showcasing the unique elements that contribute to their success. Seventh-grader Tophs takes the lead, interviewing peers and educators about what makes them successful at Northstar. What follows is a heartfelt collection of responses from students and staff, each speaking to the impact of the school’s inclusive and student-centered approach.
Students highlight the small class sizes, patient teaching, and access to advanced learning opportunities. One high schooler shares, “They’re taking their time with me and they’re not rushing it.” Many students speak about how the school environment helps them build confidence, make friends, and stay focused. A middle school student adds, “I can do advanced classes because I want to work harder to learn more. There's a lot of resources for students.”
Educators echo the sentiment about tailoring learning experiences and providing a nurturing atmosphere. “Northstar really works with students and meets their needs academically, emotionally, and socially,” says Mrs. Hughes, Northstar's school counselor. Specialized reading teacher Ms. Moum attributes her success at Northstar to "having a lot of co-workers around me who support me and help me every day, as well as the students!"
Perhaps the most powerful moment comes from Evelyn, an 11th grader who says, “Before, I had no one believing in me — and now it’s made me the person I am today.”
At Northstar, success is not one-size-fits-all. It’s defined by progress, empowerment, and a belief in every learner’s potential.
Click here to watch the video on YouTube.
Business Partner Spotlight: Einstein’s Bagels
In an ongoing effort to provide students with hands-on instruction and worksite experiences, Northstar Career Academy is fortunate to have established relationships with local businesses. Through these partnerships, students visit these work sites multiple times a week to practice the job specific work and social skills learned in the classroom.
Business Partner Spotlight: Einstein’s Bagels
Einstein’s Bagels is one of Northstar Career Academy’s esteemed business partners. For two years, they have hosted our Hospitality students for community work experiences. Through their work at Einstein’s, our students learn how to prepare different types of food, stock retail displays and collaborate with teammates. Because of this successful partnership, this past May, Einstein’s Bagels, hired one of our students, Dave G.! Dave is responsible for a clean and well-stocked coffee bar and retail space as well as providing warm and friendly customer service in the dining room. We sat down with Khalid Oliver, his manager at Einstein’s Bagels and Dave’s mother, Sallie Belsches, to discuss the experience.
Einstein’s Bagels consistently hires people with disabilities. Why has your company decided to do so?
Khalid: It presents a positive business model for us. It shows we are a family and we are a part of the community and we will hire anybody who has the skills to do the job. We want to hire people who want to work and who have the drive to do it.
Are there any changes to your management approach necessary with hiring people with disabilities?
K: It is not much different, as our training system and food prep books are very accommodating. It is very straight forward with picture diagrams. From there, it is repetition and quizzing. I will say that one difference is that I speak more directly to our employees with disabilities, but they always get the task done.
Have there been any unexpected outcomes to hiring people with disabilities?
K: I didn’t expect the customers would take so strongly to our employees with disabilities. The gentleman who retired from Dave’s current position had a physical disability. It never kept him from completing his responsibilities. The customers came to know and love him and a lot of the customers would come to the store just to see him. When they found out he had a walk from the bus stop, customers brought him ponchos and umbrellas. One customer even hand-carved him a walking cane. All this generosity inspired our staff to take a similar interest in our customers. It has built such a strong community connection.
How do you feel about your new hire, Dave?
K: His coursework on-site with Northstar Career Academy allowed him to showcase his work ethic and build a relationship with our staff, so it was an easy hire. Training has gone quickly with Dave. He has already learned how to complete his tasks accurately.
How do you feel about Dave’s new job?
Sallie: I’m amazed at how far he’s come in his life. He used to never share stories about his day, but once he started going to Career Academy, he would talk and talk about the working out in the community at different businesses. He was really proud of the work he did. I could see a big difference in him. He uses the strategies learned at Career Academy to stay on task and to be the most effective employee he can be.