FAQ
How do I enroll my school for Smithsonian STARS?
Currently, Smithsonian STARS is taking initial interest requests from K-12 public schools via our general interest form. Please note that Smithsonian STARS will first roll out to schools in Arizona beginning in 2026. Our goal is to expand to all 50 states over time.
Regular updates on the progress of the program will be posted to the Schools section of this website. If you are located in another state, we encourage you to submit your interest via our general interest form. We will reach out to you when STARS is ready to launch in your state.
How do I know if my school is eligible to enroll for Smithsonian STARS?
Smithsonian STARS serves schools located in rural communities. For the program’s initial phase, federally established classifications will be used to identify eligible schools. The program will reference the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) locale system and consider schools classified as Rural — Distant or Rural — Remote to be eligible. Schools may review their local classification using the NCES Locale Lookup tool.
However, we recognize these classifications are not always representative of communities. Schools that do not fall within these NCES categories may still be eligible if they can reasonably be considered rural in terms of geography, community and/or school size, or access to educational resources. Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
How soon will STARS be available in my state?
STARS will roll out to rural schools in Arizona in 2026. At this time, we have not yet determined which state we will expand to next. The program’s expansion is entirely dependent on fundraising. STARS is fully supported through donations, and to ensure we can efficiently hire the necessary staff to deliver the program in a new state, we must have the majority of that state’s costs fundraised before we can begin a rollout.
Regular updates on the progress of the program will be posted to the Schools section of this website. If you have submitted your interest via our general interest form, we will reach out to you when STARS is ready to launch in your state.
Can private or homeschool groups enroll for STARS?
At the moment, STARS is available only to public, public charter, and tribal nation schools. We encourage homeschools and private schools to partner with public and public charter schools in their area to get access to the program.
STARS lesson plans and other resources will be made freely available on our website later this year.
Why is STARS only in Arizona in 2026?
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory has an established presence in Arizona through our Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Amado, Arizona, and is working with teachers and schools in the area first to ensure that the program and the lesson plans are ready to launch nationwide.
I would like to work or volunteer for the STARS program. How can I apply?
To view current opportunities, please check our job listings.
How can I stay updated on STARS news, progress and opportunities?
You can stay informed about STARS updates, opportunities, and program news by signing up for the STARS newsletter. We plan to launch the STARS newsletter later this year.
How do I donate to STARS?
To donate to STARS, please visit the STARS Donation Page.
I would like to support bringing the STARS program in my home state/town. How can I learn more about becoming a donor?
We'd love to talk to you about opportunities to support the STARS program. Read more about our donors and reach out to Grace Noah, Senior Director of Major Gifts at noahg@si.edu.