Star Lab Celebrates Expansion with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Back-to-School Night

SARASOTA, Fla. – August 6, 2026 – Star Lab is proud to announce the opening of its second campus, and will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The celebration will take place at the new Star Lab 2 location at 1790 21st Street, Sarasota, FL 34234, which will be a shared location at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties’ Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club. The ribbon cutting will coincide with Back-to-School Night, giving students and families the opportunity to tour classrooms and meet their teachers.

The expansion allows Star Lab to serve 50 students in kindergarten through fifth grade across two Newtown campuses for the 2026-2027 school year. Star Lab (grades K–1) remains at 2300 Central Avenue, while the new Star Lab 2 campus will house grades 2–5. Both campuses are situated in the heart of the Newtown community, continuing the school’s mission of delivering a world-class, customized education that is fully accessible to every child through Florida scholarship programs.

“This second campus is a huge step towards delivering on our promise of high-level academics for all,” said Alison Rini, Founder and Head of School. “Every child deserves joyful, personalized learning that meets them exactly where they are and helps them soar. Opening this new space means more families in our community will have options to help them find the right fit for each child.”

Star Lab’s unique model combines small-group instruction, hands-on materials, and hourly movement breaks. Students advance at their own pace with no rigid grade-level ceilings, ensuring every learner is challenged and supported. Star Lab’s students celebrate their accelerated learning as well as their opportunity to play at recess every hour. The school provides free meals, uniforms, and field trips to ensure the program is accessible to all.

Community members, families, local leaders, and media are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting and Back-to-School Night. The evening will feature a brief ceremony, classroom tours, opportunities to meet teachers and staff, and a chance to experience the joyful, engaging environment that defines Star Lab.

Event Details
What: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony & Back-to-School Night for Star Lab’s Second Campus
When: Friday, August 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Star Lab 2 at the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club 1790 21st Street, Sarasota, FL 34234
Who: Open to the public; students, families, community members, and media welcome

For more information, interviews, or to RSVP, please contact:
Alison Rini
Founder & Head of School
Star Lab
Phone: 941-313-2423
Email: alison@starlab.world
Website: www.starlab.world

About Star Lab
Star Lab is a private, mastery-learning microschool located in Sarasota’s historic Newtown neighborhood. Founded to make world-class, personalized education accessible to every child at no cost to families, the school emphasizes joy, purpose, achievement, and freedom. Star Lab serves elementary students through a research-based model that includes individualized learning paths, hourly movement, daily arts, and weekly community engagement.