Student with teacher in library reading a book

It starts with a passion for education.

With a strong spirit of community, we develop students with active, creative minds and encourage compassion and a respect and understanding for individual differences and for one another.

Creating a community of learners

We present our community of learners with a challenging educational environment, inspiring confident students who are willing to take intellectual risks and meet academic challenges with openness, enthusiasm, a willingness to solve problems and to make thoughtful decisions.

Ultimately, we create an atmosphere that addresses the unique needs of our students in a changing society and culminates with their becoming active citizens and responsible stewards of our world.

graphic of cluster of stars

Our Mission

At Northstar, we promote educational excellence and career opportunities for students with disabilities who have academic, physical or social challenges.

Our Vision

Northstar empowers students to value their diverse abilities, chart a successful course for their lives, and create their own futures. We cultivate communities where people of all abilities thrive.

Our History

Founded in 1996, Northstar Academy was started by several families and medical professionals who wanted a positive environment for young people living with academic, physical or social challenges to discover their abilities and overcome challenges together. With a strong spirit of community, we develop students with active, creative minds, encourage compassion and  respect all while understanding and embracing our individual differences. We present our community of learners with a challenging educational environment, in return, inspiring confident students who are willing to take intellectual risks and meet academic challenges with openness, enthusiasm, and a willingness to solve problems.

Northstar Career Center was founded in 2014 to help people living with academic, physical or social challenges train for meaningful employment and to help employers tap into a valuable employee candidate pool. Since the program’s inception, Northstar Career Center has been quick to adapt the program to the ever-changing job market and needs of people living with various abilities. The program continues to build pathways to employment by empowering students to gain industry experience, improve employability, and increase productivity at work.

To this day, Northstar transforms students, families and futures!

Learn More Today

Find out how Northstar can be your student’s educational home by requesting more information today.

Request More Information