North Star Academy, founded in 1997, is the most established school in the Uncommon network.  The New Jersey Department of Education, the sole authorizer of charter schools in the state, chartered North Star Academy in January 1997; renewed its charter in 2001; and granted permission in 2005 to its single board to operate multiple campuses under the same charter, which is not prohibited in New Jersey as it is in New York and other states.

Managing Director Paul Bambrick leads the North Star Academy network, which now consists of four schools serving over 600 students. He formerly served as Co-Director of North Star Academy, during which time the school established itself as one of the highest achieving urban schools in New Jersey.

North Star currently operates a middle school (under the leadership of Co-Founder and Founding Director James Verrilli); a high school (under the leadership of North Star veteran Shana Pyatt); a second middle school (founded in 2005, by nine-year North Star teacher Michael Mann); and an elementary school (founded in 2007, by North Star veteran and Founding HS Principal Julie Jackson).

In subsequent years, Uncommon Schools will help North Star open additional schools so that ultimately it has five Newark campuses serving 1,500 students in grades K to 12.

North Star Academy - Downtown Campus (Middle School, High School)
10 Washington Place
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Phone: 973-642-0101
Fax: 973-642-5800
Email: info@northstaracademy.org
Website: http://www.northstaracademy.org

North Star Academy - Clinton Hill Campus (Middle School)
600 Clinton Avenue
Newark, New Jersey 07108
Phone: 973-484-2221
Fax: 973-484-2311
Email: info@northstaracademy.org
Website: http://www.northstaracademy.org

North Star Academy - Elementary Campus (Elementary School)
226 Dayton Street
Newark, New Jersey 07114
Phone: 973-622-5610
Fax: 973-622-5189
Email: info@northstaracademy.org
Website: http://www.northstaracademy.org