Who We Are
There is a moment every parent remembers. The first morning you walk your little one into a new school, hand them their backpack, and turn to leave. Your heart catches in your throat. You want to know, more than anything, that the people on the other side of that classroom door will care for your child the way you do. That is the moment we think about every time we welcome a new family into StarChild Academy. We have been welcoming families across Orlando, Florida, for years, and we never take that trust for granted. When you choose StarChild Academy, your child is not joining a class. Your child is joining a school community where the teachers will learn how they wave hello, the books they ask for again and again, and the small things that make their day feel right. You, as a parent, are joining a community too. We know your name, we know your story, and we are here to walk this journey with you.
Parent Reviews
Nithyakalyani U.
April 29, 2025
We observe for sure kids are very much improved in all the aspects compared to the joining date.. as promised my teachers.. also faculty are any time reachable if parents have any concerns and the concerns are addressed!
Pavani S.
April 29, 2025
This is the best day care system for children under 4
Suryakant R.
April 15, 2025
Every child should get star child kind of environment to grow up!
Tiffany H.
March 11, 2025
My little one started Starchild in 2024 and has been improving immensely with her grades. The care and dedication the teachers take with my child has been amazing compared to public schools. I look forward to her progress in the years to come!
Our Story
StarChild Academy was built on empathy and compassion more than a formula. We wanted to create a place where children would know they are loved and safe, and excited to learn. A place where they could take those feelings with them long after they had outgrown our classrooms.
Dawn Acosta, who has led StarChild Academy Oviedo since the school opened its doors in 2006, has watched that vision come full circle. "Watching the kids come back as teenagers and adults and share with me the fun they had, and the memories that were built at our school, is the reason I continue to strive for greatness at StarChild," she says. These visits, often involving hugs, sharing photos and stories of college or first jobs, are the proof that what happens in our classrooms truly matters.
Early childhood is more than a stage to get through. According to Harvard's Center on the Developing Child, the simple back and forth between a child and a caring adult, the eye contact, the hugs, the response to a question, builds the brain architecture that supports a lifetime of well-being. This is the kind of attention we want every child in our care to receive, hundreds of small moments a day, from teachers who genuinely love what they do. We offer affordable tuition rates so that more families have access to nurturing, high-quality learning programs like ours.
Today, as part of the Endeavor Schools family, we are proud to say that our school community now spans seven Orlando-area campuses, including Apopka and Wekiva, Lake Mary, Waterford Lakes, Winter Garden, Hunters Creek, Oviedo, and Windermere. Each campus has its own personality, neighborhood, and beloved teachers. What they share is a belief that your child deserves to feel like the most important person in the room, because to us, they are.
Our mission is to give your child a place to play, learn, create, and build the kind of memories that last a lifetime. We are here to teach reading and math, yes. But we are also here to help your little one feel brave enough to try something new, kind enough to lift a friend, and curious enough to ask why the sky is blue and what makes a caterpillar change. Every part of our day is built around helping your whole child thrive.
We want every child who walks through our doors to sense three things deep in their bones: safe, known, and loved. When a child feels those things, learning happens naturally. They are more likely to raise their hand, take healthy risks, and try a new puzzle, a harder book, or make a new friend on the playground. Confidence is not something we can teach in a worksheet. It is something we cultivate together, one warm welcome at a time.
Our curriculum blends traditional values with nationally recognized academic standards. This helps to support early childhood education and ensure strong school readiness. Through hands-on early learning, engaging classroom activities, and meaningful experiences, our teachers help children develop skills that prepare them for kindergarten and future success in school. We use nationally recognized programs such as Abeka phonics, Open Court Reading, Saxon Math, and Singapore Math in our curriculum. These assist children in building a strong academic foundation while also nurturing their social and emotional growth, as part of their personal development.
Your child will find a place to flourish at every stage, from our Infants and Toddler programs to our Preschool, Pre-K & VPK, and Private Elementary School programs at select campuses. Older children can stay connected through our After School and Summer Camp programs, and every age group benefits from Endeavor Essentials, which brings extra creativity, technology, and movement into the day.
Marie Bryant, Elementary School Leader at our Lake Mary campus, sums up our teaching style beautifully. We focus more on project-based learning. We want students to explore and enjoy learning. This joyful, hands-on approach is backed by research. According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, curiosity prepares the brain for learning by activating attention, memory, and motivation. And when your child is genuinely curious about what they are doing, the learning sticks.
What Makes StarChild Academy Different?
Walk into any StarChild Academy in the morning, and you will see what our families fall in love with. A teacher kneeling to give a child a special handshake they had made up together. Another teacher learns a new family's name and writes it down so she gets it right tomorrow. A school leader greets your child by name as she walks past. Parents often tell us that our staff is professional and very supportive, contributing to a positive learning environment for children.
Marie Bryant, School Leader at Lake Mary, describes her favorite part of her work as, "I get to greet every family by name, have special handshakes with my students, and watch not only the students but also the teachers grow. It makes me happy." These are not big gestures. They are small, daily, deliberate, and they add up to a child who feels truly known.
As part of the Endeavor Schools family, StarChild Academy combines the warmth and close relationships of a neighborhood school with the strength, support, and educational resources of a nationally respected network. This partnership allows us to continually invest in our classrooms, our educators, and the experiences that help your child feel confident, supported, and excited to learn each day. Most importantly, it gives your family peace of mind knowing your little one is part of a school community that truly sees, values, and believes in who they are becoming.
Early Childhood Leadership & Staff
When you tour any of our campuses, the first thing you will notice is the warmth of our people. The teachers wave, the school leader stops to chat, and someone in the office remembers what your two-year-old is wearing today because she said hello on the way in. This warmth is not a script, but the result of hiring people who genuinely love children and then giving them the training, time, and support to do their best work. Many of our team members have been part of the StarChild family for more than 19 years, and you can feel that kind of rootedness the moment you walk through the door.
Dawn Acosta
School Leader, StarChild Academy, Oviedo
With more than 12 years as an early childhood educator and nearly two decades leading our Oviedo campus, Dawn has built something rare: a school community where every family feels like they truly belong. She is deeply committed to partnering with both staff and families to create an environment where children feel safe, valued, and free to discover what makes them shine. "StarChild Academy has always been a place where children can play, learn, create, and build the kind of relationships that set them up for a bright future, and it is an honor to be part of that journey for so many families," she says.
LinkedInMarie Bryant
Elementary School Leader, StarChild Academy, Lake Mary
With more than 20 years in education, Marie is passionate about creating a school where every student feels seen. She knows each family by name, shares special handshakes with her students, and finds her greatest joy in watching both children and teachers grow.
LinkedInArlene Miller
School Leader, StarChild Academy, Lake Mary
With more than 25 years in early childhood education, Arlene leads our Lake Mary campus with the kind of steady, generous spirit that families and teachers gravitate toward. Arlene's philosophy comes from a deep belief that early childhood educators are shaping more than just test scores. She says, "It is an honor and a rewarding experience to help grow and develop our young people into the wonderful, caring humans who will keep our world together."
LinkedInMeghan Donnelly
School Leader, StarChild Academy, Winter Garden
With more than 13 years of experience in early childhood education, Meghan loves watching children grow on the preschool side of campus and then flourish in the elementary program. Meghan says, "We become a safe space for such a large portion of their first twelve years of life. That continuity is something families really value."
LinkedIn
Elsie Vera
School Leader, StarChild Academy, Windermere
Elsie brings 20 years of educational experience to her role and finds joy in helping both children and parents through the school journey. The core purpose behind our school's mission is to ensure that every student is supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.
LinkedInAlexis Perdomo
Elementary School Leader, StarChild Academy, Apopka and Wekiva
Alexis has eight years of education experience and a clear love for elementary students who bring fresh energy to every school day. She also enjoys creating memorable events that make school something your child looks forward to. Alexis says, "Great leadership is about lifting others up and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to succeed."
LinkedInAchievements & Accreditations
At StarChild Academy, we build our programs on strong educational standards and a deep commitment to early childhood education. Our programs are led by experienced teachers who meet or exceed Florida state credential requirements and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications. Our play-based curriculum is rooted in research and proven results. Based on internal assessments aligned with national standards, 91% of students meet or exceed kindergarten readiness benchmarks and score more than 16% above the national average. Through nurturing classrooms, certified teachers, and nationally recognized curriculum programs, StarChild Academy helps children build confidence, develop a love for learning, and prepare for lifelong success.
"Every child is special, and we believe learning should be designed around each child's strengths, interests, and unique way of growing."
- Arlene Miller, School Leader, StarChild Academy, Lake Mary
Endeavor Schools is a community of more than 100 schools across the country, brought together by a shared commitment to caring for children during the most important years of their lives. Each school is thoughtfully connected to its local community, creating environments where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow. Behind every classroom is a team of educators and parents who understand how much these early experiences matter, and who are dedicated to helping children build confidence, develop essential skills, and find a genuine love for learning. At the heart of Endeavor Schools is a focus on one simple goal: to give every child the support and foundation they need to thrive, both in school and in life.