based on 19 reviews
North Star Academy
400 Duane St.
Redwood City, CA
94062
(650) 482-5973
By: student
Date: February, 2007
North Star Academy is wonderful, I've been going here for 5 years (since 3rd) and this is my last year, for I am an 8th grader. The teachers use high tech to have students learn better and help them as much as they need it. There are great extracurricular activities such as enrichment for 4-8 graders. Enrichment is the last class of the day (except thursday) that the student chooses once a trimester. The classes are different and none of them are alike; some examples of the classes are; quilting, stitchery, dance around the world, song writing class, the spring musical [must audition],stage crew etc. Every trimester there are 2 full day enrichments where the students spend all day in enrichment. Some teachers might have field trips to jamba juice or johnny rockets. Enrichment is very exciting as you can tell. Some other extracurricular activities are art in action, P.E.
By: parent
Date: January, 2007
I had one child who has graduated and went on to a private High School and another who is currently attending North Star. I see this school as very strong as a result of the base of students that enrich the classroom. I feel some (not all) of the teachers are great. Students come out of their experience well educated because the teachers can teach to a group of students that are focused and engaged. I am not sure that a private school can always offer this. Some private schools might offer more days of physical education, 3rd and 4th grade music, and Spanish. Theater and choir have been very good. Art has been kept alive through parent involvement and Art in Action.
By: parent
Date: July, 2006
This school has an incredible amount of directed student choice. The vice-principal is amazing. She helps the staff with planning and staff development and she was a teacher at the school prior to her position. Most of the teachers have taught for a while and all embrace the philosophy of the school which includes differentiated instruction and enrichment. The principal is kind and nurturing of the children.
By: teacher
Date: May, 2006
I am a teacher at North Star, so this is a different view. The program here emphasizes instruction which focuses on the needs and interests of individual students. There are projects at every grade level in which students are allowed many creative ways to express their knowledge. We still focus on grade level standards, but offer students who have mastered the standards, choices for more in- depth study. The principal is loved by parents and teachers and is kind and concerned when dealing with the children.
By: parent
Date: March, 2006
This is a reasonable but not exceptional alternative to sending your academically-above-average child to public school. There is a lot of enthusiasm here, as well as a few parents who take themselves and their so-called 'gifted' kids a bit too seriously. Also, the teacher quality doesn't always live up to the student quality. But. . . if you can't or don't want to afford private school, there is a lot to like here. Great peers, some good teachers, and a pretty wide-spread (if rather disorganized) passion for learning.
By: parent
Date: March, 2006
A quality education for academically talented children. The curriculum moves at an accelerated pace in order to allow for enrichment programs offered as part of the daily curriculum. The school currently has an extremely competent and dedicated principal with vision and the right priorities.
By: parent
Date: March, 2006
This school is not as good as its students. The high test scores result largely from stacking the deck with the students it selects. Still, it is better than the other public schools in Redwood City and has some exceptional teachres. If you can afford it, though, go private.
By: parent
Date: March, 2006
North Star offers enriched learning meaning they don't move children ahead faster, but go more indepth. These high achieving students are motivated because each teacher pretests each area so they can individually challenge them to their level. Students are happy and involved. Their enrichment program allows students to choose an elective of their choice each trimester. Teaching the core curriculum is compressed to alleviate boredom. The elective choices are amazing. The principal is approachable and supportive. He introduces a character trait each month to also develop student's personal traits along with the academics. The students get along and support one another and there is excellent parent support. Spanish, Music and Drama are parts of the curriculum. I love this school. My child is happy and motivated. If you have a high achieving child that can work independently and in a group, this is the school for you.
By: parent
Date: February, 2006
This is one of the best schools in Redwood City. NorthStar students consistently perform well on State tests. The faculty is very experienced. Academic work is stressed here, though students are expected to demonstrate knowledge through individual projects. Parents are encouraged to participate in all areas of the school. My child is currently in fifth grade. He has very competent teachers who are pushing him academically. His class is diverse ethnically but not socially. There are few students who are not middle class at this school. My other criticism is that there is not a lot of support for foreign language. The emphasis is on math and science with very little thought about the needs of students who come from a bilingual background.
By: former student
Date: December, 2005
North Star has been a great experience. From 3rd to 8th grade, the courses are rigorous, fast paced, and challenging in all fields from the maths and sciences to language arts. The staff is fabulous, and parents are very involved - there is a Parent's Club and communication between students, teachers, and parents is very good. The P.E. program is very satisfactory, and several different sports are offered throughout the year. There are many different extracurricular activities - a great drama program (NSA does 1 musical, and usually 1 shakespeare each year), various science clubs, a Jr. Optimist's club, a very involved, active, a wonderful Student Council, and a music program (though this program has suffered many cuts over the last year, it has nevertheless retained the quality of its' performances and members' playing).
By: parent
Date: November, 2005
In our first year at NSA, I am very impressed with all of the staff who I have encountered. From the principal: Mr. Dawley, The Third Grade teachers: Ms. Wallace and Ms. Fuchs and the PE Coach: Mr. Burke. Their enthusiasm for what they do is obvious. The level of teaching is equal to a very expensive academically challenging private school which my son preiviously attended. We are very happy to be here and impressed with the parent involvement. The staff show their caring for the students in their approach. Their approach to a problem my child was having with another child was all I could ask for and involved each child explaining their opinion of the situation privately to the teacher, subsequently explaining it to each other and deciding on a resolution together with the teacher. Wouldn't it be nice if we, as adults, had that?
By: parent
Date: October, 2005
This is for the most part an exceptional school. As with all schools it is not a fit for everyone as the homework burden can be excessive for some kids. For others, it is probably one of the very top public schools in the state. (Well, they do stack the deck by only allowing top performers in!) Note -- it's getting more competitive every year as they refine their programs. More and more parents who once sent their kids to private school from K -> 8 are now doing private for K-> 2, giving their kids a head start, then sending them here.
By: parent
Date: June, 2005
Great school/ consistently great results on strength of faculty and parental involvement. Compacted curriculum, implementing differentiated curriculum. Outstanding project based learning and enrichment opportunities; not for every child. Reflects diversse community served. School consistently performs with limited funding/resource base proving less is more and the dedication of administration and staff to the kids and the approach.
By: student
Date: May, 2005
Good school for grades 3-5, but you're better off sending your kids to private school afterwards.
By: parent
Date: March, 2005
This is an excellent school with a great student body and very dedicated teachers. Homework is manageable I think.The enrichment program is great. Certainly a unique school.
By: parent
Date: March, 2005
My son attended North Star from 3rd grade through 8th grade. This school is remarkable in just about every way, from parent involvement to teacher involvement to the exceptional students it attracts. The academic program's success can be seen by the academic test scores. The school puts on two ambitious and amazing theatrical productions each year, including a Shakespeare play in the fall, and a full Broadway musical in the spring. Parents and teachers make the elaborate costumes, and most of the school is involved in some creative way in the production, either on or off stage. Choir practice before and during school raises the musicality of all the players. Everyone from the principal to the teachers to the janitorial staff, the parents, and the students, work together to learn what it takes to bring together such an ambitious undertaking. Ethnic diversity and high academic achievement thrive at North Star.
By: parent
Date: March, 2005
This school is tucked away in Redwood City, California. A public magnet school, accommodating 3 - 8 grade, it has proven to be the finest school on the Peninsula! They have ranked 10 out of 10 (best) the past several years when compared to other schools in the State and their API scores were better than those of Hillsborough schools. The teachers are highly skilled and work hard to bring out the best in each child. What a blessing to have found North Star, I hope it works for you and your child as well.
By: parent
Date: January, 2005
I have found this to be an amazing school. Bright, kind teachers and exceptional children make this a wonderful learning environment.
