Student & Family Services

North Star Academics offers various educational therapies that include executive functioning coaching, private instruction for academic mastery, classroom observations, student advocacy and more. We have developed an educational success framework that addresses the unique needs of each student and tailors a custom learning plan for achievement in the classroom.

Educational Therapy

  • Classroom Observations & Recommendations

    We provide specialized classroom observation to gauge student interaction and engagement within their learning environment. Our assessments, crafted by our educational therapy team, offer detailed insights into students’ progress on key milestones and executive functioning. By closely collaborating with families and educational teams, we develop tailored educational therapy plans that enhance academic achievement, bolster social integration, and deliver tangible, growth-focused feedback.

  • Academic Mastery

    Academic instruction is tailored to meet the distinct needs of each student. Our educators work closely with schools to create lesson plans that support and build upon the student's academic progress, ensuring that instruction aligns with educational goals. With expertise in specific content areas, our instructors deliver personalized teaching instrumental in fostering student achievement.

    Areas of Focus:

    Elementary School: Math, Basic Sciences, Reading, English Grammar, Introduction to Languages

    Middle School: Algebra, Biology, Earth Science, English Literature, Geography, History, Introductory Foreign Languages

    High School: Advanced & Honors Math (Algebra, Geometry, Calculus), Advanced & Honors Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), English Literature, Composition, Advanced Foreign Languages, History, Social Sciences

  • Homeschool and Private Instruction

    Our Homeschool and Private Instruction program offers students the flexibility to learn at their own pace using a fully accredited curriculum or their school's online curriculum. This private, personalized instruction is ideal for students who thrive with direct teacher support, allowing them to engage with their learning deeply in a one-on-one setting.

  • Test Prep

    SAT | ACT | ISEE | ERB | SSAT

    Our test prep strategy is centered around a holistic approach that caters to each student's unique learning style and needs. We provide comprehensive support encompassing a range of standardized assessments, ensuring our preparation plan is as effective and personalized as possible. Additionally, we guide families through the accommodations process to ensure every student can access the resources they need for an equitable testing experience.

  • Executive Functioning Coaching

    Executive functioning coaching focuses on strengthening essential cognitive skills required for academic success. This includes personalized strategies to enhance organization, time management, and task initiation. Coaches work closely with students to develop their ability to plan, prioritize, and execute complex tasks. Through consistent practice and tailored interventions, students learn to manage their workload, maintain focus, and improve working memory, directly contributing to their competence in managing academic and personal responsibilities.

  • School Liaison & Advocacy

    Culture and communication-building help bridge the gap between school and home. We advocate for students in schools, ensuring they receive the academic support they need from teachers and counselors, and advocate for support and resources that will support the students social-emotional experience in school cultures.

Student Care & Belonging

Dr. Bettina Love's definition of belonging centers on the idea that educational environments should affirm students' identities, histories, and cultures. She emphasizes that true belonging in education is not merely inclusion or diversity but involves actively contesting and changing existing conditions that perpetuate inequalities.
At North Star Academics, we embed this philosophy into our framework by creating supportive spaces where students' backgrounds are valued and leveraged as strengths. Our educational approach is designed to acknowledge and celebrate each student's unique perspectives on the learning process, ensuring they feel genuinely seen, heard and understood.

We focus on enhancing students' executive functions, which are crucial for effective planning, sustained attention, memory retention, and multitasking. The skills we focus on are…

Executive Functioning Coaching

  • Organization:

    The ability to create methods of organizing information, and maintain systems for clarity and ease in the environment.

  • Time Management:

    The ability to accurately estimate how long an activity or event will take to properly execute your roles and responsibilities.

  • Focus/Attention:

    An ability to maintain sustained focus on a person or project and shift to the next project when needed.

  • Self-Monitoring:

    The ability to assess and measure the nature of one’s tasks and emotions.

  • Planning:

    The ability to order and prioritize a set of tasks that need to be executed.

  • Working Memory:

    The ability to keep bits of information in one’s head for a specific duration.

  • Task Initiation:

    The ability to initiate a task that is assigned without supervision or another adult present.

  • Emotional Regulation:

    The ability of a person to react appropriately to positive or negative feedback or instructions.

  • Flexibility:

    The ability to adapt when something changes or shifts, like due dates, expectations and unforeseen events.

  • Task Management:

    An ability to understand the micro-steps and timing of a bigger project and how to manage those steps in order.

  • Meta-Cognition:

    The ability to understand how one learns best so they can apply it to acquire more information.

  • Goal-Directed Perseverance:

    The ability to stick to a task at hand and not give up when faced with a challenge.

Success Stories

  • Middle School Dean

    “Several our students have worked with North Star. All have displayed an incredible scope of knowledge and excellent grades. I personally recommend North Star to parents seeking a more structured and dedicated educational experience. Their instructors are communicative and manage communication between parents, students, teachers, and administrative staff. They are phenomenal to work with.”

  • 6th Grade Winward Parent

    “My son hated school! It was painful just get him up in the morning. All his teachers said he was naturally bright, but his grades did not show it. After working with North Star, I saw a dramatic improvement in his mindset, organization, and time-management. He even completed homework on time. He was finally happy at school again!!”

  • 11th Grade Crossroads Parent

    “My daughter has always been incredibly smart. However, her test scores never reflected her ability. She had high anxiety and would wait until the last minute to study. But North Star worked with her in a way that cultivated her natural abilities, helped her prioritize her schedule, and developed her confidence again.”

  • High School English Teacher

    “My classes are considered more rigorous than most. I do my best to help students with their questions, but they often need extra help. North Star is at the top of my list for recommendations. I have noticed a significant amount of progress in students who decided to work with their instructors. Not only grade-wise, but they also became more vocal in class and took greater responsibility for their work.”

  • 4th Grade Wildwood Parent

    “We adore North Star! My daughter is always so excited to show her instructor what she’s learned in school. They’ve helped her grades immensely and have gotten her really interested in math again. I am really excited for her upcoming evaluations.”

  • 10th Grade Campbell Hall Parent

    “My son has trouble focusing. He would prefer to do anything but homework. His North Star instructor helped him find ways to focus, take good notes, and enjoy participating in class. I think the structure that they provide has really helped him keep track of his time and stay organized.”

  • 11th Grade SAT & New Roads Parent

    “In preparation for my son’s SATs, we decided to work with North Star. Their outstanding educators have not only helped him feel confident, but they gave him phenomenal methods to study. They genuinely cared about his success, and I can’t thank them enough!”