About Us
Our staff & volunteers
Tell people about the amazing people on your team.
Our history
As a former special education teacher, our founder saw firsthand the impact of structured, evidence-based supports. Students were building skills, confidence, and independence every year. But when she began looking more closely at what happens after graduation — and exploring the adult service system — she realized the transition didn’t always carry forward the same intentional focus on growth and long-term outcomes.
She believed adulthood should build on the progress made in school —
not pause it.
That belief became North Star. Created to extend the strong foundations built in school into adulthood, North Star uses evidence-based practices to support life skills, executive functioning, employment readiness, and meaningful community inclusion. Today, North Star serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Louisville, guiding them toward vocational advancement and thriving, independent lives beyond high school.
Our mission
North Star Achievement Center is a diverse and inclusive organization focused on three pillars of excellence: promoting independence, fostering a meaningful life, and facilitating a community of belonging for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers.
Our Commitment to Excellence
1. Engagement: People do better when they're engaged.
2. Individualized: People are better engaged when they're developing their talents and interests.
3. Skill Development: Interests and skills are discovered when provided with opportunities.
4. Opportunity: Opportunity is where life meets preparation.
5. Success: Success is when reality catches up to your imagination!
We believe that these expectations for students, staff,
and all stakeholders set NSAC apart!
Our Program Model
Our programming is based on decades of research focused on improving the quality of life for people and the best practices used by organizations to get excellent results.
