Come Visit!North Star is a unique community-based learning center. Students, educators, and parents from around the country visit us

frequently.

Come see what it’s all about!

North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens

135 Russell St. Hadley, MA 01035(413) 582-0193

Our open house schedule can be found here:

www.northstarteens.org

North Star: Self-Directed Learning for

Teens

135 Russell StreetH

adley, MA 01032

Learning is Natural. School is Optional.North Star makes self-directed

learning possible for any teen in the Pioneer Valley.

You can be designing your own curriculum, setting your own schedule, and discovering how far you can go, now.

The North Star Experience:

The teenager’s aspirations: What are your inspirations and challenges? What have you always wanted to learn or do?

The parent’s needs: What do you believe is essential for your child to learn? What are your family requirements?

The legal homeschooling plan: for students under the age of 16, a contract between the family and the local superintendent makes this approach possible. North Star helps navigate the process.

North Star assists families in identifying each of these components and blending them into a program that works for everyone.

North Star is a positive and realistic choice for many.

North Star has worked with hundreds of local families over the past 14 years, with a range of wonderful outcomes.

The vast majority of North Star members go on to college. Our alumni have graduated from many universities, including M.I.T., Mt. Holyoke, Amherst College, Brown, and UMass.

Other alumni have entered Americorps, opened their own businesses, or gone on to various successful careers.

North Star Offers:

Twice monthly check-ins with each teen member and regular family meetings to plan and implement individual goals.

A full calendar of classes and activities intended to expose and inspire.

A friendly, comfortable social space where people are free to come and go.

A community of diverse families.

Tutoring in a wide range of subjects.

Connections to volunteer, internship, work, and travel opportunities.

Relationships with a variety of teachers and learners that are based on respect and trust.

Acceptance of wherever you are in your life right now and the belief and expectation that you can achieve any goal of your choice.

Field trips, family events, and more.

A track record of success for college or other future adult activities.