Skip to main content
Northstar Academy

A fully accredited private online
Christian school for grades 4-12

Questions? 1.888.464.6280

Academic Advising Office

ADVISING OVERVIEW

Our Academic Advising Office recognizes that each student at NorthStar Academy has been given gifts and abilities to be used to glorify the Lord.

It is our goal to provide individualized support and direction to students as they gain a clearer understanding of their personal, academic, and spiritual goals. In partnership with parents, students, and NSA teachers, the Academic Advising Office will provide proactive academic counseling to prepare students with the skills needed to successfully navigate their post-secondary studies and/or the workforce. Click the buttons below to view helpful resources from our Advising Office.

NSA Graduation Requirements

College Planning Guide

4th-12th Grade Sample Course Plans

Transfer Credits

SCOIR

To schedule a meeting with one of our Academic Advisors, please complete the following steps first:

  1. If you haven’t yet, engage in our Virtual Tour.
  2. Create your account and complete your student’s application in our system so that we have a place to hold your student’s records. There is no obligation to NorthStar when you create an account.
  3. Have your student’s previous school send their official transcript to [email protected] at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting.
  4. If your student is a 4th – 8th grader, please refer to the “4th-12th Grade Sample Course Plans” above. If you have additional questions, please email our advising team at [email protected]
  5. If your student is a 9th – 12th grader, please click the “Book Now” link below to schedule a meeting.

BOOK NOW

Megan Carpenter

Sr. Academic Advisor

Meet with Mrs. Carpenter for assistance with 9th and 10th grade course selection, dual credit, and transferring credits from a non-US school.

Tasha Calvin

Sr. Academic Advisor

Meet with Mrs. Calvin for assistance with 11th and 12th grade course selection and questions about the college application process or use of Scoir, our college guidance management system.

To reach our academic advisors:

Accommodations at NorthStar

At NorthStar Academy, we understand that every student learns differently, and we are committed to supporting diverse learning needs. While we do not offer curricular modifications, our flexible online program allows families to tailor their child’s learning experience. At NorthStar Academy, we value each student’s learning journey and strive to provide a supportive environment where all students can succeed.

Our user-friendly learning platform, Buzz, includes helpful tools designed to enhance the learning experience for students with diverse learning needs, including ADD/ADHD, Autism, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, and Anxiety. Flexible pacing, the ability to take breaks as needed, personalized course scheduling, and extended time for assessments are just a few examples of accommodations available to all students. Additionally, NorthStar provides access to an integrated toolbar and other accessibility tools to support students throughout their learning process.

Should you have any specific questions about how your student’s unique learning needs might be supported at NorthStar, please reach out to our academic advising office or principal team by emailing [email protected].

Here are frequently asked questions regarding accommodations at NorthStar:

How can online learning support students with Dyslexia or reading comprehension difficulties?
Our learning management system, Buzz, offers tools such as SpeechStream, which includes screen reading, translation, and dictionary features. These tools can help students with Dyslexia by reading text aloud, offering word definitions, and providing translation assistance to improve comprehension.
What support is available for students with Dysgraphia or other writing challenges?
Students with writing difficulties can benefit from the text-to-speech and speech-to-text options available in third-party tools that can be used alongside our platform. Additionally, SpeechStream’s highlighter and screen masking tools can aid in organizing thoughts while writing.
Can students submit assignments in alternative formats if writing is difficult for them?
Yes, students can submit some assignments in alternative formats such as audio or video, depending on the nature of the assignment and teacher approval. This flexibility allows students to demonstrate their understanding in a way that suits their strengths.
How does the flexible course structure help students with ADD/ADHD?
Our flexible scheduling allows families to determine the number of courses their student takes at a time, enabling students to focus on fewer subjects if needed. Whether students prefer an accelerated pace or a more traditional timeline, this flexibility helps create a manageable workload and supports better focus.
Are there any tools to help students stay organized and manage their time?
Buzz includes a built-in calendar and progress-tracking features that help students plan their work and stay on top of deadlines. Parents and supervisors can also monitor progress and offer support as needed.
How can NorthStar Academy accommodate students who struggle with anxiety related to deadlines or workload?
Our six-month course allowance per semester gives students the flexibility to set a pace that suits their comfort level. With tools to schedule blackout dates for breaks and personalize target end dates, students can manage their workload, reduce stress, and stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
What strategies can help students with sensory processing issues feel more comfortable learning online?
In addition to dark screen mode, students can adjust the layout and font size on Buzz to improve readability. They can also use tools like screen masking to focus on smaller sections of content at a time, which can help reduce sensory overload.

Want to learn more about this topic? We have a podcast episode just for you!

View All Episodes Here