Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does the family provide?

Software/hardware: The family must provide for their own copy of Microsoft Office 2003 or newer. The family must also provide for their own computer, and Internet access.

Computer specifications:

Computer (Macintosh OS 10.X or newer or Pentium / Windows XP or newer) with DVD player, 30 GB hard disk and 1 GB RAM. Webdesign classes require a Pentium 3/600 MHZ running at least Windows XP or a G3/500 MHZ running OS X on a Macintosh. Microsoft Windows 7 and Vista are supported.
• Modem (56k or faster); high speed-internet preferred.
• Note: Connection to NorthStar through a proxy or filtering service is possible, but it requires that your Internet service provider knows how to make the necessary changes for your account. Contact NSA for these details.
• Printer (strongly recommended).
• Scanner/digital camera (required for drawing, painting, recommended for advanced math and science classes as well as some 5th & 6th grade classes).
• Current anti-virus software.

Texts, videos, CD/DVDs: the family will purchase directly from a retail vendor or from our online bookstore all of the needed items for the subjects (classes) for which they have purchased the lesson bundles. You may view a list of all of the required class learning materials at our online bookstore.

2. What does NorthStar Homeschool and Independent Study (HIS) provide?: NorthStar HIS will provide all of the lesson resources for each class provided for download from our FirstClass Intranet Server. NorthStar HIS will provide a "Resource DVD Set" that contains all of the needed freeware and shareware software that will be used in the lesson bundles. NorthStar HIS will provide new families a "NorthStar 101" video that will explain how the program works and how the family can get started using the program.
3. How do I get my lessons?: Each NorthStar HomeSchooler will download his/her lesson bundle from within our online learning environment. For more info, please visit the How NorthStar HomeSchool Works page.
4. Is NorthStar HIS a home school umbrella organization that offers administrative and transcript services to home schooling students?: While NorthStar HIS is not a HomeSchool Umbrella organization but a curriculum and lesson resource provider, we are moving toward offering more services to home-based learners, and in the future, we may extend those services to include an umbrella administration service for those who have chosen to home educate.
5. What is the main difference between NorthStar HIS and NorthStar Academy?: Please see the differences shown on the comparison page.