STARS Academy

Welcome to STARS Academy

Welcome to Stars Academy, the premier virtual learning program of Bedford North Lawrence High School. We believe that every student’s path to success is unique, and our mission is to provide a flexible, high-quality education that meets you exactly where you are.  Stars Academy is a tuition-free, full-time virtual academy of BNL.  

Stars Academy offers an alternative virtual learning experience for students.   Our virtual program offers academic courses with the cutting-edge tools of digital learning, with dedicated instructors who are experts in both classroom instruction and virtual education.  Stars Academy is created to be an environment where students can truly shine now and beyond graduation.

Why Choose Stars Academy?

• Flexibility & Focus: Balance your academics with your personal passions, work schedule, or unique learning style. 
• Comprehensive Curriculum:  Stars Academy offers a robust catalog of courses to achieve graduation.  Classes are interactive to keep students engaged, including support for students with Individual Education Plans.  All required classes are available, as well as many electives, World Languages, Advanced Placement courses, and CTE classes. 
• Total Support: Stars Academy has a dedicated team of licensed teachers and specialists to provide support for each student.  Stars Academy students benefit from our virtual partner teachers, the Stars Academy Dean of Students, and from our BNL guidance counselors
• A Connected Community: While you may be learning from home, you remain a BNL Star.  Students have access to BNL High School experiences. As a Star Academy student, you have access to NLCC enrollment, campus academic extracurriculars, including clubs, events, Homecoming, Prom, and the pride of participating in graduation commencement.  Star Academy virtual students are not eligible for BNL Athletics and are not eligible for academic honors (Valedictorian/Salutatorian/Top Ten).  

Whether you are looking for a different pace for learning or a more personalized schedule, Stars Academy is here to guide your high school experience.

Stars Academy is now accepting enrollments for the 2026-2027 school year.

NOW accepting Applications & Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year.

STARS Academy Enrollment Information

Enrollment Information
Stars Academy is a tuition free virtual academy of Bedford North Lawrence High School
Enrollment is open to BNL & Transfer students

Preferred Enrollment Dates: Register before the start of the semester through the first six weeks of the semester.

Late Enrollment: After the sixth week date, enrollment pending approval.

Transfer Back: Students may transfer back to BNL in-person learning within the first ten days of the semester.

Withdraw: After the ten day mark of a semester, transfer requests will be pending approval.

Automatic Withdraw: Students who do not meet attendance requirements or academic progress will be denied continuation in the academy. Students will only be eligible to return to BNL at the next semester mark.

NLCC Enrollment: Students may enroll in Stars Academy and participate in in-person NLCC pathway courses.

STARS Academy Expectations

STARS Academy Attendance Requirements

Stars Academy is 180 days of instruction for the school year. 

Students will need to work a minimum of thirty minutes per class per day.

State of Indiana Attendance requirements will be monitored.  Students will be permitted five parent excused absences per semester.  Notification of Absences at 5 days absent, 10 Days Unexcused, 18 Days Absent. 
Per Indiana Code 20-19-9-5:  Students who accumulate 10 consecutive unexcused absences or 18 total unexcused absences will be withdrawn from Stars Academy.
Per Indiana Code 20-24-7-13:  A student withdrawn from Stars Academy cannot be accepted into the virtual program for the remainder of the school year.

STARS Academy Information

• Virtual Learning:  Stars Academy students complete learning through virtual learning sessions.  A student's daily schedule is personalized, and students will work at their own pace to complete  independent learning.   Students are expected to log in daily, completing tutorials and demonstrating understanding through mastery assessments.  During the independent learning session, students will have access to LIVE teachers to support their academic growth.  
• Curriculum:  Classes include learning modules complete with mastery assessments, tests, projects, discussions, and other assignments.  Each course will be finalized with a Final Assessment.   All required classes are available, as well as many electives, World Languages, Advanced Placement courses, and CTE classes.   Students are not able to complete the Indiana College Core and are unable to complete the Enrollment Plus Seal through Stars Academy.  
• Attendance:  Stars Academy has attendance requirements for virtual learning sessions, completion of modules on pace, and participation in collaboration projects.  Students are expected to log in daily. 
• Required Testing:  State of Indiana Testing requires in-person testing.  This includes Biology ILearn & PSAT/SAT testing.
• Parent Involvement:  Parents are essential to the success of students in Stars Academy.  Parents agree to become Learning Coordinators when a student applies for Stars Academy.  Routine live parent conferences or virtual meets are scheduled to support student learning.  

• Academic Platform

  BNLHS is partnering with Edmentum EdOptions to provide a quality virtual learning experience for students.   EdOptions is a leader in high-quality virtual learning.  Stars Academy is fully accredited, offering students a rewarding alternative learning experience.  Stars Academy provides extensive and effective learning solutions to all types of learners.   All teachers are highly qualified, state-certified instructors and certified in virtual teaching and learning.  

  Stars Academy’s instructional model provides a balance of independent learning sessions and one-to-one instruction designed to engage all learners.  Students will demonstrate mastery through embedded modules and assessments with real-time progress monitoring.  Teachers will offer students access to materials, recordings, and resources to learn, review, and demonstrate mastery in each course.  Teachers will guide instruction through virtual experience, provide high-quality live instruction, monitor student performance and progress, communicate frequently with students and parents via email, phone calls, messages, and virtual meets, and provide high-quality grading and feedback.  

Stars Academy Checklist

If you are interested in becoming a student at the Stars Academy, please follow the application checklist:

▢ Apply today to be considered a Stars Academy Student  | STARS ACADEMY APPLICATION LINK

▢ Wait for Approval Confirmation:  You will be contacted to schedule an Enrollment Conference

▢ Enrollment Conference - Enrollment Meeting to finalize Stars Academy Learning Plan:  Build a Schedule, secure a NLCS Chromebook, complete a Connection & Portal Check.  

▢ Sign Stars Academy Agreement:  Sign off on with Connections with Instructors, IT Support, Virtual Student Handbook & Student Expectations, Parent Learning Coordinator.  

A Note for Parents:  The transition to virtual learning is a team effort. We recommend a "Weekly Sync" every Sunday evening to review the upcoming week’s goals and check for any "uncertainty" in directions before the school week begins.