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Starpoint School
Program & History
Starpoint School is a laboratory school where the staff is committed to the ideal that all children can learn. The goal is to provide an individualized academic program which helps children learn to compensate for their learning difficulties, build on their own strengths, develop a positive attitude about schools and learning, and perform to the best of their capabilities in their next educational setting.
The College of Education at TCU is the only teacher preparation program in the United States that operates two laboratory schools in special education: Starpoint School and KinderFrogs School.
Starpoint School is the tangible result of a dream of M.J. and Alice S. Neeley – a dream to have a school where children with learning differences can learn and university students could learn to teach them.
Their dream was formulated as they watched their grandson struggle academically in school. The Neeleys were determined that teachers should be trained to help children with special needs and, in 1966, Mr. and Mrs. Neeley initiated a laboratory school on the TCU Campus, Starpoint School, for that purpose. At Starpoint, the Neeleys wished to provide training for teachers so as to prevent the unfortunate academic experience of their grandson.
In keeping with the original intent of the Neeleys, the Starpoint School is an active educational laboratory where TCU faculty, staff and students are afforded the opportunity to observe, study, research and participate in a quality educational program for young children with academic difficulties.
To memorialize and celebrate Mrs. Neeley’s efforts, as well as the TCU College of Education’s dedication to children with disabilities, the Alice S. Neeley Special Education Institute was established in the spring 2005.
Curriculum & Services
Children ages six to eleven with learning differences and/or attention deficits that interfere with academic progress attend Starpoint School. The curriculum is individualized to meet the needs of each child and includes the traditional academic subjects – language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and physical education. Art, music and technology courses are also offered as part of the school day. A distinctive feature of the Starpoint curriculum is an emphasis on organizational and study skill acquisition.
Schedule
The children attend school from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm daily, following an academic calendar similar to the Fort Worth ISD.
Admissions
Each spring semester, Starpoint School has an admissions period for fall applicants. An admissions committee convenes to review all pertinent academic information and make appropriate recommendations.
If you are interested in having your child apply, Starpoint requires an individually administered, comprehensive, educational evaluation. This evaluation should be conducted by the local public school diagnostician or a private educational diagnostician or psychologist.
Please call the office at 817.257.7141 for specific information about testing requirements, dates of the spring admission and current tuition.
Mission
The mission of the Starpoint School is to serve as an on-campus training site for TCU students in the College of Education and other university programs. TCU students are an active and vital part of Starpoint as observers, practice teachers, classroom aides and beginning educational researchers. TCU professors are also available to offer their expertise and knowledge to Starpoint staff and students.
Starpoint School is accredited by the Commission on Elementary Schools, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children, the Texas Association of Nonpublic Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, the Texas Independent School Consortium and the National Association of Laboratory Schools.
STARPOINT SCHOOL
College of Education
Texas Christian University
TCU Box 297410
Fort Worth, Texas 76129
817.257.7141
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