How did you get into the industry?
I’ve been in education for over 30 years, but my path into this work is both professional and very personal.
I was born and raised in New York City. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a focus on child and family studies and later completed a master’s in education specializing in special education and post-professional degree in school and district administration. Over the years, I’ve worked in many different roles — as a teacher of students with special needs, Supervisor of Special Education supporting students with IEPs and 504 accommodations, Assistant Principal, Special Education District Administrator, Youth Development Coordinator, and social-emotional, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention specialist. My last role in New York City was serving as Guidance and Counseling Manager, where I supervised 168 elementary, middle, and high schools.
Throughout my career, I’ve supported students who were struggling or at risk, and I’ve led a multitude of training sessions for teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents focused on social-emotional, mental health, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, coping strategies, developing proactive supports for students, and any trainings in the area of special education mandates, regulations, and services.
However, this work is also very deeply personal to me. My own son was initially diagnosed on the autism spectrum at 2 years of age and given a multitude of services – his diagnosis was later changed to sensory processing disorder and ADHD when he was entering kindergarten. I also have 2 older nephews with severe developmental disabilities.
After many years of frustrating moments and difficulties when my son was younger, I dreamed of a place where kids can be themselves and all kids can fit in. I would write down my vision daily and all that I wanted to create for STAR Academy. As a lifetime educator with a passion for providing resources to families, STAR Academy was the answer that so many families needed.
What makes STAR Academy unique?
STAR stands for Sensory, Teaching, and Recreation. While the name began as solely a vision to create a place where every child feels like a star, it has evolved into a comprehensive model supporting families, educators, schools, and communities.
STAR Academy combines sensory play, educational enrichment, wellness, and community programming in one environment designed for children of all abilities and developmental levels.
Each STAR Academy is designed to offer multiple experiences under one roof including sensory-based play, structured learning programs, movement and fitness classes, parent education workshops, birthday parties and events, homeschool enrichment programs, and therapy partnerships.
Another unique aspect of the brand is fitness and movement. Physical development is a core component of the STAR Academy model. Movement and fitness programs may include strength and coordination classes, agility training, sensory motor development, balance training, sports readiness, and parent-child movement classes.
These programs build confidence, improve motor skills, and promote lifelong healthy habits.
What’s new at STAR Academy?
The educational landscape is shifting and you cannot step foot into a school without hearing the word “sensory”. I wanted to create a safe, warm, welcoming, nurturing, and supportive place for families and all children to play. I wanted a place where every family feels welcome, supported, and inspired to grow.
I also wanted a learning center, a whole other component to the sensory playground, and no one else is really doing that. We work with all kids, all ages, all abilities — not just children with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
As the educational landscape evolves, families are actively seeking environments that support sensory development, social skills, learning readiness, and recreation in one place. STAR Academy was created to meet that need.
Our STAR Learning Centers are dedicated spaces designed to provide structured enrichment, developmental programming, and educational support for children of all abilities.
These centers create opportunities for families to access high-quality programs in a welcoming environment, while also offering entrepreneurs the ability to operate a business that has both financial sustainability and meaningful community impact.
The STAR Learning Center model expands the brand beyond indoor play, field trips and birthday parties by offering diverse programming, professional partnerships, and multiple income streams within a single location.
What growth opportunities are available to STAR Academy franchise partners?
The STAR Academy franchise model was created to be flexible, scalable, and adaptable to local communities. Franchise owners can build a business that fits the needs of their market while benefiting from a proven framework and brand identity.
Revenue streams may include open sensory play, birthday parties and events, enrichment classes, homeschool programs, summer camps, parent workshops, professional training, therapy partnerships, and youth fitness programs.
Our locations can support multiple revenue streams, including:
- Developmental and enrichment classes
- Sensory-based play programs
- Birthday parties, field trips and special events
- Homeschool enrichment programs
- Summer camps and seasonal programming
- Parent workshops and community education
- Professional services partnerships
How do professional and educational partnerships enhance the STAR Academy model for franchise owners?
Beyond direct services for families, STAR Academy also offers opportunities to support the broader educational community and collaborate with professionals, such as:
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
- Early Childhood Educators
- Homeschool educators and tutors
Franchise owners may also choose to sublease space to approved specialists, creating additional income while expanding the services available to families.
Additionally, our model allows us to provide professional development and consultation for schools and educators, including:
- Needs assessments
- Classroom sensory strategies
- Staff training and workshops
- Parent education programs
- Autism, sensory and developmental support strategies
STAR Academy locations often partner with local schools, chambers of commerce, libraries, and community organizations, creating opportunities for field trips, collaborative events, and community programming.
How does STAR Academy work with and support the local community?
STAR Academy locations are designed to become community hubs that collaborate with schools, chambers of commerce, community organizations, and local businesses.
Programs may include field trips, sensory-friendly events, developmental screenings, parent education programs, and family wellness initiatives.
Let’s talk about some of your goals for STAR Academy as you expand through franchising.
Our goal is continued growth and opportunity — being able to increase profitability and continue bringing in revenue. Within the business model, we want to maintain consistency. Standard operating procedures and building out the infrastructure of these smaller businesses within the larger brand are very important. As we continue to grow, creating professional collaboration and building strong programs is key.
Also, creating clear systems is crucial as we expand. We want to work smarter, not harder. One of the ways we are doing that is bringing in high-level, certified educators and professional staff, so we can rely on their expertise and strong work ethic. Quality professionals require investment, but it’s worth it to maintain the consistency and quality environment that STAR Academy is known for.
Every location will be different, so it’s also about educating communities. Education itself is moving in a very different direction. Many schools and facilities are now creating sensory rooms within their buildings because the need is real. Our team is making sure we are staying in line with the needs of families and children.
Talk to us about training and support — how do you deliver?
Franchise partners receive comprehensive onboarding covering curriculum implementation, sensory environment setup, safety procedures, staff hiring, marketing strategies, and operational systems.
Training is delivered both in person and virtually.
We are very specific about who we are, what we stand for, and what team members need to bring with them. Staff and franchise partners must have the appropriate certifications, including CPR certification and completed child abuse prevention training. Safety is a top priority — we want families to feel completely confident and secure when they drop off their children.
We are committed to working very closely with our franchisees, and the level of support depends in part on what experience they are coming in with. We will be very hands-on throughout training. We will go in person to help them get started, observe their operations, and walk through systems at headquarters. Our franchisees can visit our headquarters for additional training as often as they’d like.
Franchisees will receive manuals and handbooks covering preschool programs, birthday parties, open play, and other services. Training will also be tailored state by state and county by county to ensure they are following all regulations and remaining fully compliant.
We provide guidance on operational details such as how many children can participate in open play, how to structure birthday parties and programs, and how to connect with vendors.
Define your Franchise Model:
A. Training and Support Model?
Comprehensive Onboarding
Launch your franchise confidently after completing our comprehensive dual-phase training program, covering curriculum delivery, sensory activity setup, child safety protocols, and more.
Ongoing Operational Guidance
Franchise partners receive continuous support including site selection guidance, facility layout design, vendor connections, program development support, and operational troubleshooting.
Marketing and Brand Support
STAR Academy provides marketing resources including brand kits, social media templates, digital advertising strategies, and community outreach campaigns to help locations build strong local recognition.
Curriculum Updates
Stay at the forefront of innovation through sensory program enhancements and new play learning modules, delivered through staff training webinars.
B. What is the Fee Structure?
We want potential franchisees to know that startup costs are not expensive. If someone wants to open this, with everything needed, the biggest expense that someone has is the actual building and size. And they are free to design your space however you want.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Star Academy franchise is $152,650 to $287,300. This includes the $40,000 franchise fee.
C. Territory Definition?
Each franchise agreement includes a protected territory typically representing a population of approximately 250,000 residents and defined by geographic or demographic boundaries.
What does your franchisee do in the business every day?
Typical daily operations may include open play sessions, structured developmental classes, homeschool enrichment, birthday parties, fitness classes, and parent workshops.
Who is the ideal franchise candidate?
Ideal franchise partners are individuals passionate about children, families, and community development including educators, therapists, parents, early childhood professionals, and wellness professionals. It is a person who has a child or has experience with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Educators, OTs, PTs, or anyone in a related field is a great fit. This is a space where they can run their own practice and develop their own programs.
This franchise is different from many of the typical names you see in the market. It’s very hands-on, becoming a part of the franchisee’s lifestyle. They work in the business every day and become a prominent, recognizable face in the community.
What goals do you have for the franchise model in the future?
Our long-term vision is to expand STAR Academy nationwide, bringing inclusive play, learning, wellness, and community engagement to families across the country while creating employment opportunities and innovative programs that support child development.
Learn more about STAR Academy at www.staracademyplay.net. Connect with Anthony Feola at [email protected].
For more information on the Star Academy Franchise, visit the corporate site: https://staracademyfranchise.com/
