Editing NorthStar Through the Ages (section)

== The Foundational Age: The Vision of NorthStar ==
NSA was founded around 1998 by Brett Bowers in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. However, it has moved many times since then. Mr. Ronald Bellamy says that from its original home in Sherwood Park, it’s moved to Montana, then again to Colorado, and lastly, to its current home in Southaven, Mississippi, for the 2008-2009 school year.

Originally, NSA was one school, and later, it was split up into two sections: Northstar US and Northstar Canada.

Northstar’s origin in Canada has a very interesting story. Mr. Neal Peterson says, “Brett had first contacted me in the fall of 95, I believe, asking if Wycliffe [a missionary organization Neal was in] might be interested in online schooling. I think he was finishing or had just finished a degree from Texas A&M in distance learning.”

From surveys he had given parents, Mr. Peterson was positive that online schooling would be a hit! He talked with Brett Bower and asked him to speak to Wycliffe about his ideas.

“Brett was able to recruit several Wycliffe students willing to enroll in the Cyberhigh online school out of Canada.  It didn’t work so well as Cyberhigh’s focus was more on a Canadian curriculum since their provincial government was financing the education of these students. Brett was getting more and more frustrated as well, since his recruiting efforts of American students weren't really appreciated, and he eventually resigned from Cyberhigh with the hope of starting an online school for anyone, but especially designed for families in ministry.”

Well, the first step to starting a school is getting the school’s name! Different names floated around, such as “Saber Academy” or “Crusaders Academy.”

“Jane and I felt that [name] probably wouldn't fly in missions given the global political realities in the world! Then Jane suggested NorthStar Academy. Brett took that name and ran with it.”

But, like with anything, difficulties and problems were determined to pop up everywhere!

“There were discouraging times. Many thought it wouldn’t work, that either the technology or quality would result in substandard education. Getting accreditation was nearly impossible, funding was very tight. But God had other plans and NSA survived and eventually prospered!”

Ultimately, NSA is an amazing reminder that God’s plan is bigger than anyone can ever imagine! Mr. Peterson says, “One missionary mom started crying when I asked her what she would have done if NSA hadn’t been available.” She didn’t want to miss her kids’ high school lives while she was working in Nepal. If NSA hadn’t existed, she might have.