Q: What is NORSTAR - Departments

NORSTAR FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Guide
Q: What is NORSTAR?
A: NORSTAR is an elective science program open to high school students in
Norfolk Public Schools who have shown high aptitude in the areas of Science,
Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM).
Q: What does NORSTAR stand for?
NORSTAR is an acronym, and although the actual meaning of each letter has changed
over the past thirty years to reflect the objectives in the program, NORSTAR stands for
NORfolk Science and Technology for Advanced Research.
Q: Is all of NORSTAR a single program?
There are 2 divisions: Robotics (taught by Mr. Samuel J. Richards) and Research and
Invention, taught by Mr. Theodore R. Lunsford II. The application process for each
program is the same- students indicate which division of the program they wish to enter
when they apply.
Q: Who may apply?
A: The NORSTAR program targets highly talented, highly motivated Norfolk Public
Schools students who will be in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 at one of the district’s five high
schools beginning in September of the next school year.
Q: When may a student apply?
A: We accept applications from students beginning in the second semester of their
eighth grade year. If there are high school students who have shown particular interest
in the program, they may also apply at any point in their high school career.
Q: Where can I find an application?
A. During our application window (January-April), candidates may download an
application from http://departments.nps.k12.va.us/oar/norstar/ . However, if a student
wishes to apply to the program at any other point in the school year, they will need to
contact either Mr. Richards or Mr. Lunsford at NORSTAR to request an electronic copy
of an application (please see address information below).
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Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Our extended application deadline for this school year is Friday, April 17, 2015.
Applications received outside the normal application period are each examined on a caseby-case basis.
Q: How long are students a part of the program?
A: Students are members of the NORSTAR program during all four years that they are in
high school.
Q: What does a student need to apply to the NORSTAR program?
A: To apply for the NORSTAR program, students should submit
1. A FULLY COMPLETED application, including:
a. Student information (home address, contact information,
extracurricular activities, etc)
b. An essay (200 words or less) selected from a menu of options.
c. Three positive recommendations (one from a science teacher, a math
teacher, and a guidance counselor of your child’s choice).
d. A current and complete Middle School Profile (available through a
student’s guidance counselor). (The Middle School Profile is an
official record of a student’s performance in middle school, including
a complete transcript, disciplinary record, attendance record, and other
pertinent information. If a middle school profile is not available, we
will also accept a transcript reflecting the grades earned for the
6th, 7th and 8th grade years in middle school.)
Please note: During our annual application window, NORSTAR will only consider
applications that have been FULLY COMPLETED and submitted by the deadline.
Q: What are the candidate requirements?
A: Minimum eligibility requirements for our program include:
1. Motivation and talent in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math,
2. An outstanding attendance and/or discipline record,
3. A cumulative GPA of B or higher (3.0 or above), and
4. Enrollment at one of our district’s five high schools in September of the next
school year.
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Q: What if my child is out-of-district?
A: Students must be enrolled at one of our district’s high schools to be eligible for our
program. If a student is transferring from another district and will be enrolled at one of
our district’s high schools at the beginning of the next school year, he or she is welcome
to apply to our program.
Q: What happens after a student submits an application?
A: Once applications are submitted and reviewed, students are contacted for an interview
with Mr. Richards, Mr. Lunsford, and one other faculty member that works to support
NORSTAR and the Norfolk Public Schools Office of Academic Rigor. During our 20132014 application window, we completed all student interviews in April, and candidates
received their decisions by the first week in May. Candidates applying at other points in
the school year will have interviews scheduled on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What do interviews involve?
A: Interviews are typically twenty to twenty-five minutes, and are held at the NORSTAR
facility at the Norfolk Technical Center (see address below). Parents are kindly asked to
wait outside while a panel of instructors asks candidates to respond to a series of
questions about their interests, their experiences, and what they will offer the NORSTAR
program.
Q: Does NORSTAR influence my child’s GPA?
A: Yes! NORSTAR is counted as an elective science credit, and can significantly boost
your child’s GPA.
Q: My child is involved in other activities after school. How is
attendance handled at NORSTAR?
A: Unlike traditional academic programs, NORSTAR counts its attendance cumulatively.
For example, if a student is present for one hour on Monday, two hours on Wednesday,
and one hour on Friday, that student has earned four hours for the week. At the end of
each semester, hours are totaled, and for every 75 hours of attendance, your child is
awarded 0.5 credits (max: 1.5 credits/ year). In addition, all time at NORSTAR is counted
toward their attendance. If a student is involved in a field trip (overnight, Saturday, etc),
all of that time is counted toward their hours at NORSTAR.
Q: How are grades assigned at NORSTAR?
A: Grades are based on both formal and informal assessment of participation in
competitions, class projects, independent study and group projects.
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Q: If my child is applying to another high school program, will
NORSTAR conflict with that program?
A: No. Unlike some of the other programs, NORSTAR participation can be integrated
with enrollment in any of the other advanced high school programs.
Q: Can my child participate in other time-demanding activities
(such as sports) while they are in NORSTAR?
A: Yes, but they must be careful. NORSTAR’s students participate in a wide range of
other activities, including football, baseball, tennis, orchestra, and wrestling. The
instructors encourage students to choose one extracurricular sport during each year they
are in NORSTAR. Gifted and high ability students are especially prone to overextend
themselves because of their varied interests and abilities. Although a few participate in
more than one sport/ activity, we have found that students who spread themselves too
thinly are not able to reap all of the benefits that NORSTAR has to offer.
Q: How does NORSTAR fit into my student’s schedule?
A: NORSTAR is currently scheduled as an after school activity:
Traditional High
School Schedule
NORSTAR
Block 1/2
Block 3/4
Block 5/6
Block 7/8
After School Activity
(Dismissal: 4:00 Late Bus)
Block 1/2
Block 3/4
Block 5/6
Block 7/8
NORSTAR
(Dismissal: 4:00 Late Bus)
Once a student completes all four classes, a specially designated bus (the NORSTAR
shuttle) meets them outside right after high school dismissal (approximately 2:15 PM)
and takes them to the Norfolk Technical Center. Once they arrive, they join their
classmates and remain there until 4:00 PM, where a bus arrives to take them home.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or e-mail at:
NORSTAR
Norfolk Technical Center, Room B-15
1330 North Military Highway,
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: (757) 892-3300, ext. 3219
Fax: (757) 892-3305
E-mail: trlunsford@nps.k12.va.us
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