Morning Star School

Posted: April 11, 2024

My Granddaughter has been going to Morning Star since 3rd grade. When we got her she had been severely abused and behind in school. Morning Star Staff and Teachers surrounded her with love and provided her a safe place to heal and learn. No bullying is tolerated. My Granddaughter has high functioning Autism as well as specific learning disorders. She will be graduating this June 2024. They also help with a transition programs with FCCJ for college credits and career programs. Love the people at this school. It’s more like a big extended family.

Posted: April 11, 2024

Posted: April 11, 2024

Posted: April 11, 2024

Posted: April 11, 2024

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Posted: April 11, 2024

Posted: April 11, 2024

Posted: May 19, 2023

THIS SCHOOL IS JUDGING CHILDREN BY THEIR DISABILITY LABEL!!!! AUTISM IS CALLED A SPECTRUM FOR A REASON!!!

Morning star called after i completed the online information request asking to schedule a meeting. The assistant put me on hold for a while and came back saying, "You know this isn't a school for autism right? I asked for an explanation considering it is special education. I told her I understood this school is more for high functioning students, and as my son is above his age level, academicly, his personal aba will be able to keep him on track in the school. She said she would get with the V. Principle and call me back for the scheduling times. No call back. I called the next day and asked about scheduling the time, and she said the V. Principle wasnt there, and she would call me back. No call back. My ABA called in to explain that my son didn't have problem behaviors, and they said they would call me back. She did this time and said they have no spots. I told her that she first called me about an opening and kept saying she needed to call me back to schedule an intake meeting. She asked my name and then repeats there are no spots because there were other families. I said, "So did you call me and other families at the same time for intake, and we just didn't get scheduled first?" Bc I feel like I said the word autism and that sent off a red flag to you that my child has behavior issues that your school isn't willing to take on. She said hold please..... and then hung up on me.

Incredibly unprofessional, and her response to my inquiry proves I was correct in assuming so. I would never put my child in a school that didn't even want to meet him, and I would rather just throw him into a category of unwanted. Disgusting behavior!

Posted: May 19, 2023

Posted: May 19, 2023

Posted: May 19, 2023

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Posted: May 19, 2023

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Posted: May 19, 2023

Posted: July 23, 2018

Posted: July 23, 2018

Posted: July 23, 2018

Posted: July 23, 2018

School is designed for special needs students. 60+ years of experience at servicing theLD community

Posted: July 23, 2018

Above my expectation. This had been the best placement for my son. I wish I had brought him here to begin with.

Posted: January 18, 2017

This is our child's third year and in that short time, the school has improved in so many areas: communications, fund-raising efforts, technologies, extra-curricular events, and parent/teacher relations. Our only concerns and/or slight disappointments (from a parents perspective) are the need for additional therapists (not just speech), having an on-site Guidance counselor for older students, more challenging academics for junior high students, and that some of the teachers seem complacent. Otherwise, we love the school. Our child is very happy there and performing well.

Posted: September 10, 2016

Musical Production
Each year Morning Star students present a musical production. This musical presentation is the culmination of months of hard work giving our students the opportunity to share their talents with family and friends. We encourage all students to participate either on-stage or behind the scenes.

Posted: September 10, 2016

Pet Therapy at Morning Star School
Morning Star School is excited and grateful for the opportunity to integrate Pet Therapy into the services we offer. Our service dog services are provided through Project Chance and the HEAL foundation.
Through the care and nurturing of a therapy dog, our students learn responsibility and independence. We have seen a vast improvement in language skills of our students which has led to increased and improved social interactions with others. Nova provides a calm and safe place for students with anxiety disorders. Students and parents have reported fewer issues with anxiety and we have documented fewer absences with our students with anxiety disorders.
Many of our students are reluctant readers who do not read aloud. Our wonderful service dogs provide an opportunity for these students to practice their reading skills in a non-judgmental situation. Those who did not read aloud in class before, now volunteer to read, as they sit next to their canine friend. Reading fluency and comprehension is improved as reluctant readers are now excited to read.

Posted: September 10, 2016

Stem
The first Friday of each month is STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) day at Morning Star School. Students participate in activities designed to solve twenty-first century, real-world problems. This year our STEM program is focused on building water filters and pollinators.

Posted: September 10, 2016

A New Opportunity: "Building A Brighter Future" Campaign
For over five decades our facilities have served as an ideal base for Morning Star School operations. But to continue serving the needs of our students, their families, and the community, we must build for the future by expanding our facilities to include a high school program.
Each year Morning Star School parents search for an appropriate high school placement for their children with disabilities. It is an extremely stressful time for both parent and student as there are few high school programs in Northeast Florida serving learning disabilities — and none that exactly match the learning and social needs of many of our students. The addition of a new building will increase the number of educational spaces allowing us to offer our existing students the ability to continue at Morning Star School throughout 12th grade. For more information about our "Building A Brighter Future" campaign and our new high school, please contact Maria Johnson at development@morningstar-jax.org

Posted: May 20, 2014

My child is safe and loved in this school. He is being taught in a variety of ways to meet his special needs and loves going to school. This is a great improvement from his other schools.

Posted: November 16, 2010

My child transferred here from public school. He used to hate school. This school accepted his different learning style and adapted to him, instead of expecting every child to learn the same. However they do not challenge the kids as much as they should. Your child will have a positive learning experience but might not be ready for the real world. The teachers and staff really care and this school is like a family.