🔎Informational🔎

Everyone needs to eat to live and to gain energy for the day. So a very practical part of the NSAer’s school life is the food that they enjoy, either while doing school or while taking a break from it. In this article, we will explore NorthStar students’ favorite snacks, from the sweet to the savory to the incredibly odd. Bon appétit!

Students shooting each other dirty looks, parents talking to the hotel to mess with another contestant’s alarms, and interviews where interviewers kick out students one by one, until only one remains standing – this is what you may expect when I say “Scholarship Hunger Games,” but as you will soon find out, that is not always the case. 

Joining an online school can be an interesting experience, especially if you’ve never done something like it before. I joined NSA after having been at an in-person school all my life, and I’ve been here for four years. Therefore, as my parting gift before graduating, I’m here to talk about some of the unspoken rules at NSA that I’ve learned throughout my time here. 

Here at NSA, Christian values are respected, upheld, and taught through ESOs or expected student outcomes. These help students become globally minded and university and life ready. They train and prepare students for the real world. One of NSA’s ESOs is Servant Leadership; which NSA defines servant leadership as “a discerning role model who is courageous and compassionate, serving others” (“ESOs”).

Senior year comes, and the famous “what are you going to do after high school” question is the center of every family reunion. For those who know exactly what they want to do, this is an opportunity to talk all about it, but for those who are not sure, the priority is figuring out how to shift the conversation away from that topic as soon as possible.

The world of creative writing is expansive. There are many subcategories of creative writing, including poetry, fiction, fantasy, and more. These come with its own set of challenges. Writer's block is a real issue that can be hard to overcome. Here at NSA, there is a class that can help with that.

For many teenagers, personal finance is not something that is thought of often. Of course, some may have a job that provides them with a bit of income, but since their parents are the primary providers of their household, finances are not a primary concern. However, it is never too early to start managing money well. The sooner one starts thinking about their finances, the better prepared one is for the future. That is why here at NorthStar they offer a Personal Finance course as part of the economics program.

If you are interested in joining the Navigator, but unsure about the nuts and bolts of the class, this article is for you. My hope for this article is to draw you a little closer to our community of writers and to help you decide if this class is for you!

On our tour of the NSA world, just below North America, is a large and diverse continent–South America! It is filled with amazing people, animals, landmarks, and food that you can find nowhere else, like the massive statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil or the lush tropical forests in French Guiana.

Disclaimer: Please check with your parent or legal guardian for approval to watch any of the content listed in this article. Thank you.

I have been blessed to meet so many amazing people in my life. Some of them are friends I talk to on a daily basis and others are contacts I keep in my phone who receive a “happy birthday” text once a year.

I knew the process of going to college was somewhat of a chore, but I did not quite expect all that has already transpired. A college search and ultimate application was a long process that both went better then what I expected and was more overwhelming then I could have imagined. 

Here at the Nav, we love to highlight classes, teachers, events, and even students! Needless to say, the Navigator cherishes the stories of the people of NSA. This year, we want to highlight the class of 2026. These seniors have spent countless hours doing school, volunteering, participating in sports, and being active parts of their community.

It is easy to assume that students at an online school spend more time typing and calling rather than kicking soccer balls or jogging around a running track. However, here at NorthStar, that is not the case. After sending out a form and collecting responses, I discovered that our school has a very vibrant and active athletic spirit.

The Navigator has written many advice articles over the years. Just last month, one of our writers collected advice from NSA seniors in an article titled Advice to Freshman.

Uncertainty, excitement, maybe even grief–these are all emotions that can come with big changes in life. For some of us, we may be about to face college; others may be starting online school for the first time. Whatever your case may be, transition can be a very difficult thing, and new seasons can feel daunting.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations characterizes volunteering as “…when someone spends unpaid time doing something … to benefit the environment (and through that, other people)” (“What Is Volunteering?”). What does it look like for students at an online school, such as NorthStar, to volunteer? To push that thought further, why should students consider volunteering in the first place?

Thanksgiving is not all about football, autumn colors, and awkward family reunions; it is also about the food. The once-a-year, comfort-filled, feast that brings everyone to the table for their yearly dose of overeating is something that people all over the country look forward to. Everyone has their personal favorite dishes, but a few stand out as Thanksgiving icons. Let’s talk about three of the most beloved: stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and, of course, pumpkin pie.

Here is a quick quiz for our Navigator readers today: Asia… A. Is the largest continent by land mass B. Is the largest continent by population C. Contains 51 countries D. All of the above

What makes games fun? Well there’s a lot of different reasons, but one key part is getting a reward or punishment based on your performance. In a board, card, or video game, the players get immediate answers or consequences to their actions. These systems of entertainment and the way they are presented provide some incredible opportunities.

Speaking as a senior, I see many direct ways that a topic like NorthStar’s ESOs (Expected Student Outcomes) are relevant. Surprisingly, the more I learned, the more I realized this subject is applicable to all grade levels. In an interview with Mrs. Peterman, a staff member of NSA’s Instructional Development Department, I got the opportunity to dive into the topic of being globally minded.

Disclaimer: Please check with your parent or legal guardian for approval to watch any of the content listed in this article. Thank you.

NSA’s Student Council (StuCo) is a team of responsible and dedicated individuals who desire to serve their school. “My goal is that StuCo only continues to foster and encourage that unique sense of community that NSA has, allowing it to continually impact students for many more years,” StuCo President Michaela said in an interview. Throughout the year, StuCo plans events, creates activities, and aims to engage the school’s community.

Summer can be a fun time of relaxing, traveling, and meeting with friends and family. How did the Navigator staff enjoy the season?

Starting a new school year is challenging for many students. There are new friendships to form, new teachers to meet, and new courses to adjust to. This often leads to anxiety and stress about what the future holds. Both new and existing students face these challenges, but God has an answer to these seemingly insurmountable stressors.

Eighty percent of public high schools in the United States have some form of student government, and NSA, although an online school, follows this norm (Diliberti and Wrabel). In celebration of student council elections having just ended at NSA, let us dive in to uncover how elections work and meet some of the candidates.

Teamwork is everywhere in life. Teamwork is part of businesses, corporations, sports and everything in between. This teamwork can also be found in video games!

In my earlier times at NorthStar Academy, I wanted to partake in a class that would be enjoyable and engaging. Tentatively, I signed up for the NorthStar Navigator, a choice that was well worth it. The class, to this day, has proved fun, interesting, and engaging.

Although you may be familiar with the Navigator as NorthStar’s school newspaper, you may not know that it is also a class—and a class you are invited to join!  As the 2025-2026 school year approaches, the time to sign up for new courses is nigh.  While considering what classes you would like to take, consider NAVI280e.  Why?  Below are five reasons why the Navigator is the class for you. 

Whether you are a devoted member of the NorthStar Gaming Club, an enjoyer of video games who is not in the club, or simply someone who loves strategy, Civilization V is a game you would probably love. Civilization V is the fifth installment in the much-loved Civilization franchise, a series of turn-based 4X Grand Strategy games. Published in 2010 by Firaxis Games, Civilization V is considered to be one of the franchises’ best.