Our Name

At my S.T.E.A.M. Workshops, before we started talking about Earth Science, we had to talk about how planets are made. To illustrate how the Earth and everything on it are made of Stardust, we experimented with glitter, confetti, glue, and playdough.

This is where the inspiration for Stardust school came from- we are all made of Stardust. Our school is made of and for our students. Stardust is science. Stardust is beautiful and magical. And so are our kids.

Who We Are

When my own child started public school, I knew that we would face challenges, as all families do. I was not expecting there to be such a huge lack of awareness of young children’s developmental and neurological make-ups among all levels of staff members. The classrooms and academic material were void of play, which is a proven way that children learn, and lacking in necessary supports. Despite the purely academic focus, the statistics show it isn’t working. Standardized test scores in North Bend are showing results as low as only 15% of students meeting or exceeding state goals.

Through my homeschool journey, I have reconnected with my love of teaching and seen how much faster my own child has been able to advance and thrive in a supportive environment designed around his interests and sensory needs. I began hosting workshops in the park for group learning and realized the approach that I take with my own child is beneficial for many kids in our community. I decided to start a school and try to fill the needs of our community that public school and limited alternative options are unable to meet at this time.

Microschool

Having our school be small is an important aspect of providing education in a way that’s best for our kids. Students are in groups according to their needs which allows learning to be individualized. It allows for unique approaches to learning, such as child-led or hands on activities, and customization to the group. The curriculum is altered to fit student needs rather than maintain a strict structure designed only to meet standardized testing goals.

Neuroaffirming

We believe that children learn their best and act their best when they can. Our hope is to provide an environment where we value social emotional learning and skill development over academic success. If we are able to give students the ability to understand their impulses, sensations, and feelings while providing them with a set of self-regulation tools and a safe space to learn, then they will have even greater academic success. Shorter academic time helps children absorb and retain lessons. Your child will have positive associations with learning that will lead to lifelong academic curiosity and joy.

Play based. Secular. Inspired by Waldorf and Forest School philosophies.

Our program is not specifically a Waldorf or Forest school program. Our curriculum is uniquely designed to fulfill our students needs and interests. We assimilate aspects of Waldorf and Forest school philosophies and take inspiration from activities from those curriculums to create a plan we think will help our students learn best and be most engaged.

Our Mission and Values

Equity

We believe that diversity is a strength, and we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where every student can thrive. We are proudly LGBT and neurodivergent led.

Growth Mindset

We want kids to develop a growth mindset so that they can look at any problem or challenge and feel empowered to overcome them. We want them to feel that education and knowledge is empowering. When they believe they can learn anything, they will realize they can do anything. This perspective has driven the creation of Stardust School, and will propel our students into future leaders and innovators.

Joy

Play is the preferred method of learning for young children. When they enjoy school and feel safe, social emotional learning and growth follow. All we want for our kids is happiness, and our school does everything we can to support happiness and joy.