Setting
Northern Star Academy, like many youth residential treatment programs, works on a "level system," where freedoms, responsibilities and even some necessities are given (back) to students gradually as they progress through the program. There are 5 levels*:
Level 1 - 3 months
* Hair is cut and uniform is issued.
* Students must wear flip flops at all time.
* No jewelry, makeup or other accessories allowed.
* No visits or phone calls with family members - only letters to parents or guardians and siblings who are approved by the parents and the school, which are monitored coming in and going out for lying and attempts manipulation.
* No communication with friends, extended relatives, unapproved siblings, or other people from home.
* No outside media of any form that is not given to you by staff is allowed.
* Participate in Guidance Circles 5 times a week with other Level 1s.
* May not attend academic classes.
* Cannot talk unless spoken to outside of Guidance Circles.
* Absolutely no physical contact between Level 1s unless specifically allowed by staff.
* Must be accompanied by an older student or staff member at all times.
* The goal is for Level 1 students to accept their placement at and take responsibility for the actions that got them sent to Northern Star, while acclimating to the school community and its expectations.
Level 2 - 6-8 months
* May write to and receive letters from, and have a 10 minute phone call every other week, with parents, guardians and approved siblings, monitored by staff for yelling, lying and attempts at manipulation.
* Attend Guidance Circle three times a week with the general student body (Levels 2-5).
* Engage in regular physical exercise of a type and amount agreed upon by the student and their counselor.
* May begin to attend academic classes if it times up with the academic schedule and if not on consequences.
* Students may read approved outside material. No music or multimedia allowed.
* May talk to students in Level 2 and above - no talking to Level 1s.
* Appropriate physical contact with members of the same sex is permissible under general circumstances.
* No romantic relationships are permitted.
* Level 2s are expected to take an active approach in their personal growth by identifying their core issues and taking the first steps towards making lasting changes, while also doing their part for the school community.
Level 3 - 6-8 months
* Students are to wear uniforms, but are allowed one personal item (a necklace or bracelet, a pin, a watch, a pair of earrings if the student is female) so long as it does not undermine their personal progress or the school's positive atmosphere.
***Military dog tags, "bling"-like jewelry, large hoop earrings, studs, and similar items are absolutely NOT allowed!
***UPDATE 11/3/2009: Students are not allowed to wear rainbow-colored items, as it distracts from the important work that their peers are doing on issues related to their sexual identity.
* Female students may apply to the Level Leaders and the Program Director for makeup privileges. If granted, makeup must be tasteful and appropriate.
* Students no longer have to wear flip flops so long as they have not had a runaway attempt. (A student who has run away may petition to wear shoes 6 months after their most recent attempt.)
* Up to two on-campus visits with a students' parents or guardians is permitted, and one is required. We ask that parents do not bring siblings, as this is an important time for students and their parents to focus on the issues that brought them to this point.
* Attend classes and complete coursework in a timely manner.
* Students may apply to help with set-up and take-down of a workshop.
* Students are encouraged to develop appropriate friendships and mentorships with both older and newer members of the student body.
* Level 3s are expected to have demonstrate commitment to the program and their own progress within it, and be learning to demonstrate leadership and responsibility as they gain more privileges.
Level 4 - 6 months
* Students are allowed to wear appropriate, school-approved clothing and hairstyles of their choosing.
***Students must wear a belt when wearing pants, and girls may wear skirts or dresses that are at least knee-length. No tank tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, halter tops or wifebeaters allowed!
***Absolutely NO visible logos, characters or symbols may be worn on clothing!
* Students may visit their families for 1 week on an approved home visit, contingent on behavior. Personal growth and coursework will be assigned. Students and their counselors must work together to establish contracts before the visit.
*** There may be two visits in Level 4 and none in Level 5, depending on schedules.
* Expected to begin taking leadership roles in the community as requested - examples include shadowing Level 1s, supervising consequences such as dishes, running a dorm, and doing headcounts.
* Expected to initiate discussion in Guidance Circle at least once a week.
* Students may seek permission to engage in romantic relationships with appropriate physical boundaries as mutually decided on by them, their counselors, and the Level Leaders.
* Level 4s are established members of the NSA community, and are required to act the part. This is where they tend to struggle the most as they see the light at the end of the tunnel, but also learn the most from their mistakes.
Level 5 - 3-6 months
* Female students may wear appropriate makeup unless their counselor decides it would interfere with their work or the school community.
*** NO student of either sex may bleach, highlight or use unnatural-colored dye on their hair.
* May call and write to parents, guardians and approved siblings without monitoring for 10 minutes every other week.
* 1 week-long home visit contingent on behavior, preferably to look at and interview for colleges or next school placements.
* May call 1 supportive friend (approved by parents or guardians and the student's counselor) every other week for ten minutes, with staff monitoring.
* Students may read, listen to and watch approved outside material in a way that is not disruptive to the school community.
* Apply for college or further schools as necessary.
* Assist staff in facilitating Guidance Circles and workshops.
* Assist admissions staff in admissions tours and student enrollments.
* Establish final home contract with parents and counselor setting forth behavioral expectations, personal and family goals, and the means of accountability.
* Level 5 enables students to find closure to their Northern Star experience and to plan for the next step while allowing them to give back the support and guidance they received to younger students.
*A/N: I have uncreatively named them Level 1, Level 2, etc. This is not only lazy, but accurate to how a number of programs do it. However, there are some programs which use theme naming for their levels -- for instance, Aspen Achievement Academy used animals (Mouse, Eagle, etc.). I was thinking constellations because of NSA's name, but that seemed a little too cheesy and stilted. If anyone has an idea for level names, let me know.
(Courtesy our awesome co-GM, MartianJusticiar!)
Level 1 - 3 months
* Hair is cut and uniform is issued.
* Students must wear flip flops at all time.
* No jewelry, makeup or other accessories allowed.
* No visits or phone calls with family members - only letters to parents or guardians and siblings who are approved by the parents and the school, which are monitored coming in and going out for lying and attempts manipulation.
* No communication with friends, extended relatives, unapproved siblings, or other people from home.
* No outside media of any form that is not given to you by staff is allowed.
* Participate in Guidance Circles 5 times a week with other Level 1s.
* May not attend academic classes.
* Cannot talk unless spoken to outside of Guidance Circles.
* Absolutely no physical contact between Level 1s unless specifically allowed by staff.
* Must be accompanied by an older student or staff member at all times.
* The goal is for Level 1 students to accept their placement at and take responsibility for the actions that got them sent to Northern Star, while acclimating to the school community and its expectations.
Level 2 - 6-8 months
* May write to and receive letters from, and have a 10 minute phone call every other week, with parents, guardians and approved siblings, monitored by staff for yelling, lying and attempts at manipulation.
* Attend Guidance Circle three times a week with the general student body (Levels 2-5).
* Engage in regular physical exercise of a type and amount agreed upon by the student and their counselor.
* May begin to attend academic classes if it times up with the academic schedule and if not on consequences.
* Students may read approved outside material. No music or multimedia allowed.
* May talk to students in Level 2 and above - no talking to Level 1s.
* Appropriate physical contact with members of the same sex is permissible under general circumstances.
* No romantic relationships are permitted.
* Level 2s are expected to take an active approach in their personal growth by identifying their core issues and taking the first steps towards making lasting changes, while also doing their part for the school community.
Level 3 - 6-8 months
* Students are to wear uniforms, but are allowed one personal item (a necklace or bracelet, a pin, a watch, a pair of earrings if the student is female) so long as it does not undermine their personal progress or the school's positive atmosphere.
***Military dog tags, "bling"-like jewelry, large hoop earrings, studs, and similar items are absolutely NOT allowed!
***UPDATE 11/3/2009: Students are not allowed to wear rainbow-colored items, as it distracts from the important work that their peers are doing on issues related to their sexual identity.
* Female students may apply to the Level Leaders and the Program Director for makeup privileges. If granted, makeup must be tasteful and appropriate.
* Students no longer have to wear flip flops so long as they have not had a runaway attempt. (A student who has run away may petition to wear shoes 6 months after their most recent attempt.)
* Up to two on-campus visits with a students' parents or guardians is permitted, and one is required. We ask that parents do not bring siblings, as this is an important time for students and their parents to focus on the issues that brought them to this point.
* Attend classes and complete coursework in a timely manner.
* Students may apply to help with set-up and take-down of a workshop.
* Students are encouraged to develop appropriate friendships and mentorships with both older and newer members of the student body.
* Level 3s are expected to have demonstrate commitment to the program and their own progress within it, and be learning to demonstrate leadership and responsibility as they gain more privileges.
Level 4 - 6 months
* Students are allowed to wear appropriate, school-approved clothing and hairstyles of their choosing.
***Students must wear a belt when wearing pants, and girls may wear skirts or dresses that are at least knee-length. No tank tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, halter tops or wifebeaters allowed!
***Absolutely NO visible logos, characters or symbols may be worn on clothing!
* Students may visit their families for 1 week on an approved home visit, contingent on behavior. Personal growth and coursework will be assigned. Students and their counselors must work together to establish contracts before the visit.
*** There may be two visits in Level 4 and none in Level 5, depending on schedules.
* Expected to begin taking leadership roles in the community as requested - examples include shadowing Level 1s, supervising consequences such as dishes, running a dorm, and doing headcounts.
* Expected to initiate discussion in Guidance Circle at least once a week.
* Students may seek permission to engage in romantic relationships with appropriate physical boundaries as mutually decided on by them, their counselors, and the Level Leaders.
* Level 4s are established members of the NSA community, and are required to act the part. This is where they tend to struggle the most as they see the light at the end of the tunnel, but also learn the most from their mistakes.
Level 5 - 3-6 months
* Female students may wear appropriate makeup unless their counselor decides it would interfere with their work or the school community.
*** NO student of either sex may bleach, highlight or use unnatural-colored dye on their hair.
* May call and write to parents, guardians and approved siblings without monitoring for 10 minutes every other week.
* 1 week-long home visit contingent on behavior, preferably to look at and interview for colleges or next school placements.
* May call 1 supportive friend (approved by parents or guardians and the student's counselor) every other week for ten minutes, with staff monitoring.
* Students may read, listen to and watch approved outside material in a way that is not disruptive to the school community.
* Apply for college or further schools as necessary.
* Assist staff in facilitating Guidance Circles and workshops.
* Assist admissions staff in admissions tours and student enrollments.
* Establish final home contract with parents and counselor setting forth behavioral expectations, personal and family goals, and the means of accountability.
* Level 5 enables students to find closure to their Northern Star experience and to plan for the next step while allowing them to give back the support and guidance they received to younger students.
*A/N: I have uncreatively named them Level 1, Level 2, etc. This is not only lazy, but accurate to how a number of programs do it. However, there are some programs which use theme naming for their levels -- for instance, Aspen Achievement Academy used animals (Mouse, Eagle, etc.). I was thinking constellations because of NSA's name, but that seemed a little too cheesy and stilted. If anyone has an idea for level names, let me know.
(Courtesy our awesome co-GM, MartianJusticiar!)
Northern Star Academy
The campus has several buildings that sit on a few hundred acres of land in the wilderness. Better known as Hell to the residents.
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