A great journey is a result of great guidance. NorthStar is committed to expanding opportunities for boys to find and follow their own paths to success.
Mission
NorthStar’s mission is to change young men’s lives through programming that supports, challenges, inspires and instills a life rooted in education, self-discipline and service to the community.
Vision
NorthStar’s founding vision is to dramatically increase the proportion of male students in North Omaha who graduate high school on time, positioned to begin post-secondary education or immediately enter the workforce.
By employing a model of high-touch, multi-year extended learning, we focus on accelerating core academic and social-skill competencies of every young man we serve.
History
NorthStar’s overarching focus is on preparing North Omaha’s school-aged boys, traditionally beset by significant barriers to academic success, to complete ninth grade on level and graduate high school on time.
NorthStar fosters out-of-school time services for boys starting in elementary school and up through their senior year. By providing structures of support for young men before they experience disengagement from school, NorthStar guides young men throughout the critical transitions into middle school and high school.
Since programming began in 2014, NorthStar has developed a scalable after-school and summer program model centered on rigorous, student-centered academic and social-emotional development to transform the educational and life trajectories of the young men it serves.
- 2014: NorthStar opens its doors to young men in grades 5-8, serving around 100 boys daily.
- 2015: NorthStar introduces competitive lacrosse programming to its competitive athletics offerings.
- 2016: In response to identified needs of NorthStar students, the Leaders & Achievers Program is created to support NorthStar students during their high school years.
- 2017: NorthStar’s retention rates for middle and high school students exceeds the national average for the after-school programs serving students in this same age group; NorthStar dedicates the HDR Leaders & Achievers Classroom for high school students.
- 2018: NorthStar served over 600 boys in grades 3-12, with on-site daily attendance exceeding 180 students in after-school services and 230 students in Camp NorthStar summer programming.
- 2019: NorthStar announced an 18,000 sq. ft. facility south expansion as well as a north wing expansion, consisting of a two-story wing of classrooms.
- 2020: NorthStar opened the new South Expansion for programming.
- 2021: NorthStar opened the North Expansion for programming.NorthStar enrolled over 850 students annually, serving 300 students per day after-school and 360 students in Camp NorthStar summer programming.
Campus
NorthStar’s 70,000 square foot campus is located on 49th and Ames Avenues. The campus includes the multisport synthetic turf Fritz Field athletics complex, the Fred C. Buffett Fieldhouse, the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation Integrated Technology Room, the HDR Leaders & Achievers classroom, an art room, group classrooms, and more.
NorthStar also offers experiential learning opportunities through NorthStar Adventure programming with the Hitchcock Rock Wall, the Hitchcock High Ropes Challenge Course, and the Team Development Course.
In March 2019, NorthStar broke ground on a 3-phase facility expansion, funded by the vital support of donors through a three-year capital campaign
Phase 1 was focused on the south expansion, which includes the Mammel Foundation Leaders & Achievers High School Wing, offering career and college readiness programming for NorthStar high school students, and an Innovation Hub, providing dynamic learning spaces and dedicated resources for staging larger group activities, including STEM & robotics competitions, NorthStar Adventure programming and student dining.
Phase 2 focused on the north expansion, which includes the two-story Henry Davis Academic Wing, providing classroom space for expanded after-school and summer programming for elementary and middle school NorthStar students, and the Holland Commons, complete with lounge furniture for extra study space and the “Learning Stairs” structure, designed to serve as an amphitheater for assemblies.
Phase 3 included the installation of the all-purpose synthetic turf, bleachers, and stadium lighting to increase the longevity and usability of Fritz Field.
NorthStar Staff
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Education
- Juris Doctorate (University of Nebraska – Lincoln, College of Law)
- Bachelor of Science in Political Science (Texas Christian University)
What do you do at NorthStar?
In musical terms, I am just the conductor of a very talented orchestra.
Why are you at NorthStar?
The boys of NorthStar are one of Omaha’s greatest assets. Building their capacity to be tomorrow’s workforce and civic leadership, through great relationships with our families and boys, is a daily privilege.
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Education
- Master of Public Administration (University of Nebraska – Omaha)
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting (University of Nebraska – Omaha)
- Bachelor of Science in International Business (St. Cloud State University)
What do you do at NorthStar?
As the Director of Finance and Infrastructure, my primary responsibility is to ensure organizational effectiveness by providing leadership for NorthStar and the Omaha Outward Bound School’s operating functions, including finance, human resources, IT, and facility management.
Why are you at NorthStar?
NorthStar gives me the opportunity to share my skill in an environment that directly impacts young men’s lives; being able to see that impact on a daily basis is extremely rewarding and gratifying.
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Education
- Master of Science in Educational Administration (University of Nebraska – Omaha)
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education (Augustana University)
What do you do at NorthStar?
As Director of Education, I oversee all educational activities at NorthStar, including evaluating the short- and long-term impacts of academic programming, developing procedures for safe and effective program operations, and providing systems of support for NorthStar Academic Managers.
Why are you at NorthStar?
I’m here to provide more systems of structure to students that improve the pathways they use to become successful adults.
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Coming soon!
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Coming soon!
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Education
- Bachelor of Business Administration (University of Michigan)
What do you do at NorthStar?
As Volunteer Coordinator I am responsible for connecting those in the community to NorthStar students. This can be through academics, athletics, or specific programs. Visit us at northstar360.org/volunteer if you’re interested in volunteering!
Why are you at NorthStar?
NorthStar gives students the opportunity to grow, make good choices, and be successful. I am enthusiastic about being a part of this movement.
Jessika Clay
Operations Assistant
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Coming Soon!
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Education
- AS – Nursing, College of Saint Mary
What do you do at NorthStar?
I support the NorthStar director team with a focus on Finance and Administration.
Why are you at NorthStar?
I’m excited to be part of an organization that impacts the lives of students and their families in such a positive way and helps provide a pathway for each student to reach his full potential.
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Education
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (University of Nebraska – Omaha)
- Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction (University of Nebraska – Omaha)
- Reading Specialist Degree (University of Nebraska – Omaha)
What do you do at NorthStar?
I facilitate the implementation of reading intervention for boys who need to make gains in reading proficiencies.
Why are you at NorthStar?
I am passionate about literacy and want to contribute to our boys’ success in the area of reading.
NorthStar Guild
The NorthStar Guild is intended to provide support to the NorthStar Foundation through promoting community and fundraising. The Guild is responsible for operating NorthStar’s onsite clothing center, Antonio’s Locker, and planning the annual Climb Higher Luncheon. For more information about the guild, please email guild@northstar360.org.
Board of Directors
Scott Hazelrigg
President
president, northstar foundation
Scott Semrad
Chairman
partner, urban village development
Anthony Anderson
Vice Chairman
owner, anthony anderson state farm insurance
Roy Patterson
Immediate Past Chairman
managing partner, River City Management, LLC
Mark Brasee
Treasurer
partner, fraser stryker pc llo
Ryan Downs
president, Unison
Deanne Fairfield
Realtor, NP Dodge Real Estate
John “Buzz” Garlock
senior Vice President, RBC wealth management
Alex Harrington
CEO, Pickleman’s Nebraska
Betsy Markin
Director of Operations, Prairie Ventures
Emily Mwaja
Vice President of Experience, Kiewit Luminarium
Kim Rowell
Market Vice President, Cox Communications
Lee Stuart
CEO, NBC Bancshares, LLC
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Want to work at NorthStar? Join our team to make a positive impact in the life of school-aged boys in Omaha.
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