Fees
North Star charges a membership fee. We do not receive any state or federal funding and rely on our fees and significant fundraising in order to provide our services and program.
North Star Membership Levels and Fees: 2011-2012
This level is our preferred way to work with most members. We expect all members transitioning from school and returning members who are closely involved with core staff to select this level.
Each teen has an advisor with whom they meet regularly to establish goals and assess progress. Parents receive monthly support reports from the staff about the teen’s work with adults at North Star. The core staff’s time for tutorials is prioritized to Standard Members.
North Star is committed to working with all interested families who seek this level of involvement with North Star. A fourth day per week of involvement at North Star has an additional fee of $1,000 annually, though no fee reductions are provided for this fourth day.
2. Part-Time Level: $150 per day of the week per month. Limit two days per week.
This level exists for two groups. First, it is for long-term homeschooling families who do not require core staff support with the process and want to utilize North Star on a part-time basis. Second, it is for returning members who are largely moving on with their lives but would like to maintain some regular involvement with North Star. This level does not include core staff involvement with teens such as advisories, support reports or tutorials unless time permits.
North Star must approve the choice of this level as appropriate in each case. North Star does not provide fee reductions for this level.
3. Consulting Level: $100-$150 per month. (In development for Fall 2011)
We are in the process of developing a new membership level for 2011-2012. We are generating it with two groups in mind. First, it may suit recent alumni who would like to have some regular support with their transition to life-beyond-North Star but do not want to continue as members. Second, it is for teens who are 16-18 years old who do not wish to join North Star but believe our approach may help them improve their lives. This level will involve at least one private meeting per month with a North Star advisor, ongoing email and phone communication to support progress, and an invitation to participate in a monthly meeting with the other members of this level. $100/month includes one private meeting, with additional private meetings available at a fee of $50 each. North Star is not planning to provide fee reductions for this level.
Further Notes on Fees
Contracts in Five-Month Semesters
Members are required to make a five-month commitment when joining. The billing cycles cover September through January and February through June. Payments are due August 15 and January 15. No refunds are made to members who choose to terminate membership during these billing cycles.
Monthly Installments by Credit or Debit Cards: ONLY WHEN NECESSARY.
Families that cannot pay in two installments may pay in monthly installments. Members paying the fee in monthly installments must use a credit or debit card that can be automatically charged each month. North Star charges an additional $50 on the first payment to cover half of the related annual bank charges.
Pro-rated Fees
The Annual Fee will be pro-rated on a quarterly basis. Please speak with the Executive Director if you are joining in the middle of the year.
Proposal for Alternative Contributions to North Star
North Star intends to work with all interested families. Members unable to pay the entire fee may make a “Proposal for Alternative Contributions to North Star.” A small committee of the Board of Directors will review these proposals with the goal of arriving at a mutually acceptable agreement. These agreements will be evaluated quarterly.
Flexibility
North Star understands that the specific days that a teen comes to North Star may change over time. We understand that teens may occasionally want to participate in a workshop or special activity on a day that they do not normally come to North Star. Please let us know when this occurs, and feel welcome to attend. In addition, we invite everyone to come as many days as they would like during the first few weeks of his or her membership in order to make informed choices for a long-term schedule. We also expect that some members may change their selected Membership Level during the course of the year.
