Star Prep Academy in Burbank, California

“Fabulous individual attention and the chance to work with rescued exotic animals.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Star Prep Academy is the best decision we've ever made for our son. He began in grade 6, and has totally florished beyond our wildest expectations. The attention from his instructors has been unbelievable. With a student to teacher ratio of under 10:1 - each student get a chance to develope his/her interests and shine. We've seen it, and couldn't be happier with Star and our son.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I tried for two years to get my son into this school, and it was worth the wait! My son does have ADHD, and after struggling to find his way, he has finally been able to achieve the great things I knew he was capable of. In public school, he was a number (in oversized classrooms), and was receiving average grades. Once he started Star, my 'C' student was now an honor roll student! He is doing high school level work in middle school. Others would have never thought it possible, but I knew given the right environment (smaller classrooms, caring teachers and staff), he would do well, and his 3.57 gpa is proof of that. I am in love with this school! My only worry is if I can continue to afford it! I can't say enough about this wonderful school!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Awesome school, i my self have gone their for many years and must say that it has given me a chance to be who i really want to be”
This review was posted by a student.

“Great school, but tough location. No one knows about the school. We are small but mighty! Great time in class and working with animals and I have learned a lot. No sports teams, which is fine by me, but they try with Capoeira and Karate. Nice high school students make middle school easier. I would like to see more kids.”
This review was posted by a student.

“The amount of space in the visiting and the amount of students, started of well, ended up making a learning environment harder. At first it was a new experience, and was exciting-as most new things are- but it proved difficult, when it came to being social. The school is so small its hard to get around, and even if you don't like one person, it is hard to avoid them, or if you say an opinion that may hurt them everyone may begin to gang up upon you before you may explain yourself. I feel very claustrophobic, and know some of my peers feel the same. At some points in time i feel the teachers are not getting through to me, and helping poorly. And in other teachers i find the subject interesting. It is all a matter of opinion and personality.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I find my child's experience at STAR Prep Academy to be quite rewarding. I felt that the personalized attention he receives will help him later in life as he has truly been guiding and advised to make appropriate choices both academically and socially. The Head of School had been working with him on college from day one and that has cleared up a lot of confusion for me and my child. I can't say enough here to express my satisfaction.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The most important thing STAR Prep did for my child was to prepare her for college. I feel that the type of projects and discussions she had as part of her daily routine were at a different level than her previous schools. The teachers are great at really tapping into student interests and leading discussions. So much so that these discussions would often continue on our car ride home. I was surprised to see how informed my daughter was on current events and political issues (which are her interests). I felt that the environment is one of high expectations and it makes all of the students want to succeed and try hard to reach their full potential. I hope that they continue to focus on each child and that their accreditation doesn't cause them to be complacent.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter is a student at STAR Prep Academy and I've never seen her happier or learning more! STAR Prep has turned her back on to school and consequently, improved our home life. There are no more fights in the morning over going to school and no fights at night about doing her homework. The teachers are abosutely the best and the leadership is very strong. We truly feel lucky to have found such an extraordinary school as STAR Prep.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child no longer attends STAR Prep Academy, but I must syat that his experience was much different than the previous reviewers. It is true that this school is not for everyone, if you are allergic or don't like animals, this school won't work for you. But for my son, working with the many exotic animals at the ECO Station was a blessing. My child was always quite reserved and shy at his old school, but STAR Prep Academy's students welcomed him with open arms. I don't see the issue with behavior or special needs as outside of gifted students, the children seemed quite typical to what you will find at private schools all over the westside. My child is now quite succesful in college and I credit his time at STAR Prep Academy with this. Spend some time with the school and staff and you will see for yourself.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I read some of the reviews here, and you've got to be kidding!! There were so many behavior problems and special needs students at this school that my son was constantly frustrated. When my son was here they didn't have textbooks for some of his classes and at 25k a year you'd think that would be a given. There was a new prinicipal every year until last year and teacher turnover seems to be fairly high too. In his new school, my son is less distracted by the kids with behavior problems and the animal noise. It's not for everyone.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I can't say much here, but what I have to say can be summed up in this- This school is the best thing that happened to me. Thanks to the environment it provides, I am graduating at the age of 16 and attending a good four year university in the fall. Without Star Prep I wouldn't have graduated by now, and I might not have graduated a year from now if I continued at public school.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Overall I am very happy with STAR Prep Academy. The individualized attention my child recieves here is much greater than that of other school programs in the area. They follow through on what they say and actually provide the real-world and hands-on education that they promise. Well rounded program with solid support from administration and teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great program, great staff, great kids. The demand is high and yet they keep on delivering!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is the school of our dreams. Passionate and caring staff, rigorous and cutting-edge curriclum, small classes, wide variety of elective offerings, and a uniqueness found nowhere else. Their recent facility renovations are outstanding! All of my children will attend this school. Worth every penny (yet their tuition is less than most other private schools)!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“STAR Prep is exactly the nurturing environment I was looking for for my daughter. Not only has she grown academically, but also as an individual.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Star prep is supposed to be for the gifted and talented my child was hardly challenged here.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Excellent creative arts program,small classes with nice teacher:student ratio, great staff, gr8 principal. Excellent Science teacher from Africa the best. Nice to be able to work with the animals in the Ecostation. Would have liked the school to have used a better, more enriched curriculum. Hope that they find a curriculum that can be blended with the many projects that were meant to offer real world learning experiences. Skills child learned well before attending, not maintained well at all-especially in Math/Pre-Alg, Grammar, vocab and Language Arts-they all suffered. Spanish class no work books. Expensive school that does not use textbooks? Utilized copied papers. Your child may be distracted by other students with behavior probs.The school has potential-but not willing to return.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Good school. Small setting. Creative and unique learning enviornment if your child is one who beats to a different drummer.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“STAR Prep Academy provides students with an opportunity to take hold of their education in a small, familial environment. The Academy provides students with unique opportunities to work with animals on a daily basis as part of their regular school day, while pursuing a college-prep course load. Instruction is differentiated to student level and needs, while the wide variety of elective options keep students engaged in their curriculum.”
This review was posted by a administrator.

“STAR_Prep is the middle/high school of my dreams. Many schools advertise accelerated learning, individualized instruction, and a student-centered approach to education. STAR_Prep actually provides all that and more. My son wants to go to school again! Backed by STAR Education (award winning organization with a 20 year track record), STAR_Prep (in its fourth year) has hit the ground running: computer lab, laptops, state-of-the-art music lab, amazing elective courses, AP classes, 4 foreign languages, WASC affiliation (read accreditation ), and more. In addition to all that, STAR_Prep is partnered with STAR Eco Station (a non-profit exotic animal rescue/sanctuary). Students can work directly (and I mean hands-on) with the animals on a daily basis. Downside? The school is looking for larger facilities. No big team sports yet, big-school proms, and such. Flipside? No gangs, cliques, or drugs. Teachers know each student; are accessible; and focus on student success, not fundraising and tenure.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Star Prep Academy is unbelievable. Our son has always been a very good student, but has absolutely blossomed in this environment. He started middle school here in Fall 2006, and he not only enjoys going to school every day, but doing his homework! (We'll be here through high school.) The principal and teachers are the most wonderful we have ever experienced: enthusiastic, dedicated, hard-working, talented, warm, friendly and innovative. They honestly care for each student as an individual and do everything possible to help them succeed. Creative and critical thinking is encouraged instead of rote memorization. The small school size allows for very personalized instruction and attention. Art, music, film, fashion design, Japanese, and Brazilian capoeira are just some of the extras available to the students, and they can also work with rescued animals at the adjacent Ecostation. Parent involvement with special events and daily activities are highly encouraged and promoted.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son came to live with me when he was about to enter his junior year. We quickly had to find a school, and it had to meet two requirements: 1)flexibility to work with him as an indenpendent study student for extended absences while he competed in sports tournaments 2) good college prepration and counseling (to make for the lack in his previous school). STAR Prep has far exceeded our expectations on both counts. He has small classes; extraordinary, stimulating teahers; a range of extracurricular activities that has transformed his ho-hum attitude toward school into dedicated enthusiasm; and a small, suppportive student body. Several mothers of his long-time friends have recently commented to me that they've never seen him so happy. Colleges that he previously dismissed out of hand as being too rigorous he is now sending for applications. I am thrilled with his transformation in just one year.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“STAR Prep really does an amazing job individualizing and gearing the program to gifted and talented kids. Excellent teaching, truly amazing leadership and extraordinary enthusiasm on the part of staff make this an incredible school, especially for kids who enjoy more than just textbook learning and testing at a set pace. Offers an incredible array of classes with experienced teachers who like bright kids and are willing to go the extra mile -- or 10 -- to help students learn what they can do. Small and new, so it still has to establish its reputation and build the student body. It will, because it is on the cutting edge of educating teens for a world where creativity, flexibility, analytical thinking and producing quality work will be most valued. Although the program exceeds all classic college entrance requirements, kids here have to go beyond by setting their own high standards...and meeting them.”
This review was posted by a parent.