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New Newtown Kindergarten Star Lab receives sponsorship to provide free summer camp for students Student scholarships are made possible by grants from Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation Contact Name: Alison Rini Contact Email: alison@starlab.world Contact Phone Number: 9178923709 Thanks to $10,000 in grant support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and $5000 in grant support from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Star Lab, a new private school in Newtown opening for the 2024-2025 school year, will open its doors early for summer camp. Tuition for the summer program will be covered through foundation grants, providing access to a free camp for rising kindergarten students in the area. The program will run for six weeks, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration for the camps is now open to enrolled students at Star Lab, and families are encouraged to register soon to secure a spot. Head of School Alison Rini said that the school is committed to creating experiences of advanced learning in a joyful environment. She noted that a main feature of the curriculum is individualized attention and learning, empowering all students to thrive. “We make learning fun with hands-on materials, personalized lessons, and lots of movement,” Rini said. “The summer camp opportunity can get students comfortable with the school to turbo-charge their learning when kindergarten starts in August.” Star Lab is opening at the clubhouse in Janie’s Garden, a rental residential complex in Newtown located at 2300 Central Ave. The school will enroll twenty kindergarten students in its first year and add one grade per year through fifth grade. In the Star Lab curriculum, children learn at their own pace, developing confidence and skills. Star Lab uses physical exercise and mindfulness to develop mental health, resiliency, and focus. The school is committed to collaboration among teachers and with families to produce excellent outcomes in student learning and readiness. The school will open in the Newtown community, which overall performs lower than the average in Sarasota County Schools on standardized testing. Star Lab board president Jimmy Glover said the school will address learning differences to create an environment where all students can succeed. “The number of kids in Newtown who are reading below grade level is higher than anywhere else. We know it doesn’t have to be like that. There is nothing wrong with the kids,” Glover said. “If they need something different and we can provide it, they will shine.” As its staff and board prepare for the official opening of the school and summer camp programs, Star Lab will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 7 at 6 p.m. at 2300 Central Ave. in Sarasota. The public is welcome to attend and learn more about the school and its leadership. “We’d love for people to come and meet our happy students and wonderful neighbors,” Rini said. “Visionary donors from across the community have demonstrated their belief in this concept of joyful, individualized learning, and we’re so excited to show everyone what this model of education can deliver.” Those interested in learning about Star Lab or seeking enrollment in the school or summer camp are encouraged to visit starlab.world or visit and follow the school’s Facebook page. Summer camp at Star Lab was funded in part through the Edward K. Roberts Emerging Needs Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation.