First Star Old Dominion University Academy

 

Welcome! We're Glad You're Here!

First Star's Foster Youth Academies are the country's first long-term college-prep programs for high school foster youth that include four immersive residential summers on a university campus and monthly sessions during each school year. We keep foster youth on track for high school graduation and prepare them for higher education and adulthood by providing specialized programming that addresses the academics, life skills, and adult supports unique to students in foster care.

Below are opportunities and resources available to members of First Star Old Dominion University Academy. Don't hesitate to join us, we're waiting on you. Click here!

Upcoming Meetings

All meetings will take place on Saturdays at the Student Recreation Center in rooms 1000 and 1004 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Fall 2023

  • September 30
  • October 28
  • November 10-12: 2023 Fall Statewide Youth Conference sponsored by Project LIFE. Project LIFE is a partnership with and funded by the Virginia Department of Social Services.
  • December 16

Spring 2024

  • January 20
  • February 17
  • March 16
  • April 20

Student Interest Form

Join our First Star family.

Recommendation Form

Know someone who'd be great for this program? Recommend them!

Connect With Us

Have questions? Contact Mrs. Alexia Hargrove.

Student Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in becoming a student volunteer? Click learn more for additional information. Program Start Date: Saturday, September 30th.

Academy Programming Includes:

4 year college prep program for foster youth focused on academic and life skills.

Intensive 3-4 week residential enrichment program on university campus.

Leadership opportunity for scholars focused on becoming civically engaged and enacting change in their local communities.

Monthly Virtual sessions and access to online courses that focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

Weekly mentoring and tutoring sessions, as well as an open environment to connect and build community through virtual hangouts.

Seminars and workshops to provide tools to caregivers to become advocates for their youth.

Offered to scholars who graduate from the Academy as a resource for those transitioning to adulthood.

Sample Meeting Agenda:

Time: Activity:
8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Students Arrive
9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast & Review of The Day
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Team Activity
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. SAT Prep/Vocab Quiz
11:00 - Noon SAT Prep/Math Bootcamp
Noon - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Life Skills Workshop/Guest Speaker
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Homework Help
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Free Time/ Students Depart

ODU First Star Sponsors

  • Norfolk Department of Human Services
  • Norfolk Children’s Services Act Office
  • First Star