Throughout the school year, I’ve been sharing with you exciting news about new directions for Center School and the growth that we’ve experienced. This upward path continues for us as we plan for the 2018-2019 school year. I am happy to announce the launch of another enhancement to our program: the addition of a new Ninth Grade STARS Program.
As Center School continues to grow and we notice the changing needs of our students, we recognize that some of our eighth grade students would benefit from an additional year before transitioning from Center School and onto high school. The STARS Program offers students additional time and academic growth as ninth graders to work towards greater independence in developing extra options for high school.
What is STARS?
STARS stands for Student Transition Academic Resource Support.
Why is Center School opening the STARS Program?
We’ve noticed that as some of our students enter Center School at a later grade, the gaps in learning are more significant. Students who struggle with more severe learning challenges or just need more time to further develop their learning skills and strategies could benefit from an additional year in Center School’s STAR Program for academic growth and increase their options for high school.
What is the STARS Program curriculum?
The STARS Program curriculum is aligned with the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s requirements for ninth grade. Ninth graders would partake in American Literature, Algebra, Biology, US History, Creative Art, Physical Education and a Study Period. Each student is expected and encouraged to take full responsibility for their own self-advocacy, both at school and at home, in order to demonstrate ownership of their learning.
If after completing the STARS Program a student decides to transfer to a public school, he/she will have accumulated the required credits necessary for an on-time high school graduation.
Is the STARS Program a high school program?
The STARS Program is designed so that students can transition to 10th grade and a high school of their choice upon completion. However, a parent can choose to enroll their child in 9th grade at a different school after transitioning from Center School’s Ninth Grade STARS Program.
How does enrollment in the STARS Program work if my child is already enrolled in Center School?
If your child is already enrolled in Center School and you would like your child to enter the STARS Program, your child would graduate from eighth grade and participate in the Step Up Day ceremony with their classmates. Your child would then automatically be enrolled in the the STARS Program.
Can my child be considered for just the STARS Program?
While it’s optimal that a child enters Center School before the ninth grade to take full advantage of our programming, students can be accepted into the STARS Program as a ninth grader.
What is the application process for the STARS Program?
If your child is entering Center School for the first time in the STARS Program, the application process is the same as for grade 1-8. A variety of information is necessary including a psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation.
What is the cost of the STARS Program?
The cost for the STARS Program is the same as the tuition for both Lower School and Middle School. For the 2018-2019 school year, tuition is set at $34,000.
In the fall, we look forward to welcoming ninth graders to the Center School STARS Program who will experience an additional year of growth and learning. I thank the Board of Trustees for their support in this endeavor and their commitment to the development of our students’ potential. If you are interested in learning more about the STARS program or would like to submit an application for the program, please contact Megan Stalker at mstalker@centerschoolpa.org or (215) 657-2200.
I look forward to sharing with you the progress of the STARS Program and the growth of the students who will benefit from it.
Sincerely,
Mindy Wawrzyniak
Head of School
