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We're teaming up with THE NBA FOUNDATION to provide 100 students with literacy grants grades 5TH-8TH TO ATTEND STAR ACADEMY STARTING SPRING 2026.
STAR ACADEMY is a six-week, cohort-based literacy program FOCUSED AROUND READING WITH A RAPPER’S PROVEN innovative EDUTAINMENT PEDAGOGY THAT ENHANCES LITERACY THROUGH
MUSIC, CONTENT, AND TECHNOLOGY. STUDENTS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO COMPETE IN THE FIRST SPORTS BASED SPELLING BEE BRINGING OUT THEIR INNER STUDENT ATHLETE.
Star Academy Literacy Grant Requirements
To ensure your child is eligible for a Literacy Grant to attend STAR Academy, please review the following criteria carefully. If you meet all requirements, you’ll receive a private link to complete the full application.
Student Eligibility
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Must be currently enrolled in 5th–8th grade
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Must reside in Houston, TX or surrounding areas
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Must be available to attend the full 6-week STAR Academy program from March 28 to May 2nd, 2026 (Saturdays Only, week days only at Missouri City Location)
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Must have an interest in reading, music, technology, or creative learning
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Must be willing to participate in The Bee, a sports-inspired spelling bee competition on July 11, 2026
Location Commitment
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Must be able to attend one of the following STAR Academy sites:
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Workshop Houston – 3615 Sauer St, Houston, TX 77004
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Freedmen’s Town – 1204 Victor St, Houston, TX 77019
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CoolxDad – 2810 Riverway Rd Suite 6-D, Houston, TX 77020
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Missouri City Community Center – 1522 Missouri City Dr, Missouri City, TX 77489
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Key Dates
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February 13 – Grant applications open
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March 6 – Grant applications close
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March 12–13 – Awardees selected and notified
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March 28–May 2 – STAR Academy program dates
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May 16 – Final team selection deadline for The Bee
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July 11 – The Bee Championship + Educators & Partners Luncheon
Parent Commitment
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Must complete the full grant application once eligibility is confirmed
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Must commit to supporting student attendance and engagement throughout the program
Must attend or designate a representative for the July 11 Spelling Bee Competition.
RWAR PROGRAM OVERVIEW
During this six week experience we will focus on introducing the RWAR concept and identifying the designated ELA issues alongside teachers. Through MAP testing we will be able to gage what music & content fits that class best for the 6 session set curriculum.
What are Curriculum Projects
A Required streaming format of multi hyphen content that can be commercially licensed and also serve as curriculums for educational platforms & spaces.
Our Patent Pending Process allows us to fuse valuable commercial & entertainment practices to impact the educational landscape.
The Curriculum Project
Students will compile the past 8 Sessions of work into a essay, poem, and or rap song on what and who they want to be despite their current circumstances. This essay will show the growth in the students ability to effectively use the proper ELA rules and their ability to express themselves in a comprehensive way.
The Experience
Compiling the students hard work and progress, students must present their “Curriculum Project TM” in front of the class, only to be surprised by the artist they have been studying for the past seven weeks. In return the artist presents what led them to creating the studied project, what’s their favorite ELA rule to use when writing. Stressing the importance of how reading and writing helps them day- to-day.
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Lost & Found Curriculum Overview.
Lesson 1
The Norms/Songbook Creation
Lesson 2
Who are you? Writing about who you are.
(Used as pre-assessment to see students level in writing)
Lesson 3
Adjectives-Writing an acrostic Poem
Lesson 4
Mood/Tone- Analyzing the mood and tone and lyrics/literature
Lesson 5
Inferred Word Meanings
Lesson 6
Figurative Language
Lesson 7
Theme
Lesson 8
Brainstorming/Planning of Mixtape Final Project
FINALE - Last Lesson
Mixtape Drop & Artist Connection with Classroom Concert
Track 1 (Problems Track)
Based on the Test data acquired this is where we specifically focus on their ELA obstacles through lyrical content catered to students specific needs through various exercises. These data based lessons will focus on TEKS that students performed the lowest in. We will focus primarily on readiness standards from the most weighted reporting category. Throughout this track we will be using CLOSE READING tactics to accomplish this track for the set remainder of the weeks.
Track 2 (Interlude)
This is where we will conduct an overall summary of what was taught and learned through the previous 4 weeks. Making sure we bring our ELA guidelines to real world issues where we will be transitioning into our Social Tracks for the next two weeks.
Track 3 (Social Track)
Social Track 1 is where we will be applying the songs & video content to identify and bridge the students current issues along side the lyrical content that’s being provided for the next two weeks.
Track 4 (Social Track)
Now that we have identified what social tracks we will focus on with the students, this week will create healthy dialogues centered on the content of helping students grasp the concept of expressing themselves not only in a public setting, but to themselves internally.
MEET OUR EDUPRENEURS
Click their photo to learn more about them!
Part educator, part motivator, all heart. With almost two decades of experience in the classroom and coaching educators, I’m passionate about helping students find their voice through literacy and creativity.
Serving as a Dean of Instruction, D'Juan leads systems-level work to improve instructional practices, boost engagement, and deliver measurable academic gains
My background allows me to effectively support individuals in both academic and professional settings through strategic guidance, goal-setting, and personalized support
Victoria Brown is a powerhouse in education, with over 16 years of experience teaching and leading across Texas and California.