Star Lab logo

Applying for 2026–2027

Admissions

Star Lab is a small school (sometimes called a microschool), serving the children and families of Sarasota and surrounding counties.

We have a strong early childhood program, and we welcome any child who might thrive with a customized approach and a smaller setting. We have the expertise and ability to help your child shine.

Apply to Star Lab for 2026–2027 Book a discovery call or visit
  • In 24–25 We opened, serving 5 students in Kindergarten.
  • In 25–26 We serve 20 students in K - 3rd grade.
  • In 26–27 We will serve 50 students in K-5th grade at two Newtown campuses.
A girl with long braids and a bow, in a green T-shirt, arranges wooden flag puzzle pieces on a table.
A boy in a red Star Lab T-shirt slides beads on a wooden bead-counting frame while a smiling woman in a purple T-shirt watches beside him.
A smiling girl with blue-beaded braids, wearing a blue Star Lab T-shirt, sits holding a small wooden box.

First Step

We welcome families who are looking for:

  • a happy place to learn
  • experienced and loving educators
  • a world-class education for their children

Enrollment Requirements

  1. Complete Interest Form
  2. School visit with child
  3. Submit required forms and documents (birth certificate, physical exam, shots record OR opt-out form)

Secure your child’s spot: apply today

Tuition

Star Lab offers a sliding scale tuition, depending on family income.

Many families can attend for FREE, by using Florida’s state scholarship program, Step Up for Students.

Cost to educate a Star Lab student for one year

$11,500

Family Annual Payment Range

  • $11,500
  • Step Up Scholarship
  • $7,500
  • $5,000
  • $2,500
  • $1,000

Sign up for State Scholarship!

Florida offers a state scholarship that can help families pay for private school education. The program is called Step Up for Students (SUFS).

If you would like to use this program to attend Star Lab for free, register your child for an account at the SUFS website. The sooner you apply, the more likely you are to receive funding.

Timeline

  1. February 1, 2026

    Applications open for Step Up for Students. Current students need to RENEW. New students need to APPLY.

  2. February - November 2026

    Step Up for Students will award scholarships until limit is reached. Apply ASAP!

Which Scholarship is Right?

Star Lab accepts different scholarships to pay your child’s tuition.

FES-EOFamily Empowerment Scholarship, Educational Options
This scholarship is for general education students (without a diagnosed disability). Every K-12th grade student in Florida qualifies. If your child receives this scholarship, you will pay Star Lab’s tuition with the click of a button, 4 times a year.
FES-UAFamily Empowerment Scholarship, Unique Abilities
This scholarship is for children ages 3 and older WITH a diagnosed disability (asthma, ADHD, speech, learning disability, etc.). If your child receives this scholarship, you will pay Star Lab’s tuition as easily as above, and your child will also have additional funding we can use to contract with outside therapists.
FTCFlorida Tax Credit
This scholarship essentially functions the same as the FES-EO.
Apply for Step Up for Students Scholarship Step Up Application Checklist (PDF)

Sign up for a tour!

We can’t wait to learn about you and your family!

Book a tour How admissions works