Star Lab logo

A K–5 microschool in Newtown, Sarasota

Star Lab delivers high levels of learning & joy so all children can contribute their unique gifts to the world.

Star Lab is a small school (sometimes called a microschool), serving the children and families of Sarasota and surrounding counties. Many families can attend for free, by using Florida’s state scholarship program, Step Up for Students.

Book a tour Apply for 2026–2027
A girl in a blue Star Lab T-shirt rests her chin on her hand as she works through a number worksheet beside a wooden hundred-board puzzle.
The Yass Prize 2026 Finalist badge

2026 Yass Prize finalist

Star Lab has been selected as one of 8 finalists for the 2026 Yass Prize, known as the “Pulitzer of Education Innovation.” Read the Next Steps story

What grades does Star Lab serve?

Children must be 5 years old by September 1st of the year they enroll in Kindergarten to qualify for state scholarship, Step Up for Students.

  1. 24–25 Kindergarten
  2. 25–26 K–3rd
  3. 26–27 K–5th This year
  4. 27–28 K–5th

Located in historic Newtown, Sarasota

Children in purple, blue, green and red Star Lab T-shirts lined up with their teachers outside the light-blue building marked 2300.

K–2nd grade

Star Lab 1: Janie's Garden

2300 Central Ave., Sarasota, FL 34234
(Corner of 22nd Street and Central Avenue)
Directions to Janie's Garden
Alison Rini, in a purple Star Lab shirt, and children hold up a large painting of a yellow lotus flower outside the school at 2300 Central Ave.

Our Founder

Alison Rini brings expertise in gifted education as well as helping children overcome challenges and disabilities from her 20+ years teaching & leading in public, private, and charter schools.

She started Star Lab to give children an opportunity to learn on their own level, and to progress at their own pace. She believes children love to learn, and they deserve a school that they love too!

Our story

“My son was doing fine academically at his previous school, but the spark was gone. He was just going through the motions. Now he comes home from Star Lab talking about his day with excitement. I couldn’t be happier.”

A Star Lab parent

Life at Star Lab

Children stacking pink and orange plastic cups into towers; a boy behind them cheers with both hands up.
Children in white T-shirts with painted paper ties raise their fists in a classroom by a window.
Two laughing girls on a blue playground slide, one in a yellow Star Lab T-shirt.
A smiling teacher holds up a picture book in front of the class bookshelves while children sit at a table.
A smiling teacher and children seated on a bus; a boy in a green T-shirt grins at the camera.
A smiling girl in class holding a green marker, with classmates working behind her.
Alison Rini, in a green Star Lab T-shirt, speaks into a microphone in front of a colourful floral mural, seen over the heads of the audience.

The Star Lab Difference

Star Lab founder, Alison Rini, speaks about the Science of Reading and the clear steps to solve the United States' current reading crisis.

Science of Reading

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We can’t wait to learn about you and your family!

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