[English] Introduction of Friends of Star

https://youtu.be/RaVDZAJnpDQ

Who We Are

Our Value

Friends of the Stars is a community made up of neurodiverse individuals from various backgrounds, focused on healing and growth. At "Friends of the Stars” there are students with Borderline Intelligence Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder and tics.

By creating an environment for healing, and by empowering individuals to utilise their strengths, the stars can find their career paths and gain independence. Friends of the Stars stands as a pioneering model in Korea, drawing inspiration from both global trends and local needs. Guided by the principles of the French Freinet education philosophy and inspired by the Japanese Bethel House, our centre is at the forefront of transformative support for neurodiverse communities.

Principle

At the beginning of each school year, the principles are collaboratively reviewed and modified by the students, teachers and parents. After all three parties agree they are put into place. The principles put in place in the 2024 academic year, encapsulate our commitment to fostering a nurturing and respectful environment conducive to holistic growth and learning. The following articles outline our fundamental rights and responsibilities:

Article 1

Right to Participate: Emphasizing the importance of collective engagement over mere academic pursuits.

“<Meetings are as Important as Classes> How we live together is more important than what we learn.”

Article 2

Right to Respect: Affirming our duty to uphold an atmosphere of mutual respect and inclusivity.

“<Stars is a space of respect> Star is a place where diverse friends shine together. Respect is our duty.”

Article 3

Right to Peace: Promoting and practising non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution.

“<Non-violence is the spirit of the stars> We are the spirit of the stars. We do not hurt the body and mind of others through force or friendship. In the event of a conflict, we shall use the principle of non-violent peaceful resolution.”

Article 4

Right to Learn: Recognizing learning as a catalyst for personal growth and development.

“<Learning is a springboard for growth> Star Centre is a space for growth, and we respect the right of others to learn and do not interfere.”

Article 5

Right to Cooperation: Valuing collaboration as a cornerstone of progress.

“<Growth through Cooperation> We value cooperation as an important value.”

Article 6

Right to Freedom: Ensuring individual autonomy and accountability.

“ <We Guarantee Individual Freedom> Our freedom is guaranteed, and freedom and responsibility are friends.”

Article 7

Right to Not Participate: Acknowledging the freedom to abstain from participation, guided by due process.

“<Guaranteeing the Right to Not Participate> The freedom to not participate is also a right. When we do not participate, we express our will according to the procedure.”

Article 8

Environmental Rights: Promoting environmental stewardship and global citizenship.

“<Star thinks about the earth and practices environmental protection> Action and participation in the global environment is our spirit.”

Article 9

Right to Heal: Providing a nurturing space for healing and recovery.

“<We Heal Trauma and Wounds> We heal trauma and wounds. We are not ashamed of our symptoms and this is a space of love where wounds are healed.”

Article 10

Right to Serve: Encouraging altruism and community engagement for a brighter future.

“<We believe in the beautiful power of helping and sharing> We use our strengths to serve those in need. The world will be more beautiful and brighter because of us.”

(last updated at the beginning of the 2024 school year)

Our History

For over two decades, Friends of the Stars has been dedicated to empowering neurodiverse students, instilling confidence in their educational journey, and fostering independence. Since its establishment in 2002 by Dr. Kim Hyun-Soo, a distinguished Psychiatrist and M.D., the school has remained steadfast in its mission to merge healing with education. Dr. Kim's vision of creating a haven for young individuals with neurodiversity continues to inspire this generation, as various professors and specialists have shown interest. Hopefully, friends of the Stars will become a vital resource in paving the way for neurodiverse individuals to find their place and be able to have meaningful participation in society.

2002: Establishment of ‘Growth School Byeol’, an alternative school for out-of-school youth

2006: Establishment of ‘Friends of the Stars’ (formerly Good Friends of Youth and Families)

2010: Establishment of Seoul Boundary Youth Center (formerly Star College)

2017: Establishment of Star Cafe (formerly Cafe Ajarama)

2020: Establishment of Youth Cookie/Book Publishing (Friends of the Stars)

Founder

The school was founded in 2002 by Dr. Kim Hyun-Soo, Psychiatrist & M.D. Dr. Kim became interested in youth issues from his days as a public health worker at a juvenile prison in 1992. It was there that his belief that healing and education should go hand in hand was strongly rooted within him. He developed a passion for young people in their 30s, and since then, for the past 20 years, he has been devoted to creating a safe space for the stars to shine. He aspires to spread a movement that allows future generations with neurodiversity to confidently participate in society.

Beyond his work at the school, he is actively involved in various other fields and centres, for example, he is the director of Ansan Mental Health Trauma Center.

What We Do

Friends of the Stars comprises three distinct schools tailored to cater to the unique needs and developmental stages of the students:

School Star

Students at ‘Star Growth School’ are between the ages of 16 to 20. One of the primary goals of School Star is for the students to learn to be responsible. At the beginning of each school year, the students are divided into roles, which they will be responsible for managing. There are weekly times of discussion for students to share their experiences and receive feedback.

At School Star the student are not only preparing for National Common Entrance Examination but they are also presented with oppotunitied for self-expression through various creative outlets, including music and art. Throught these classes students are able to explore and express themselves in meaningful ways. The school organises installations, concerts, and shows to showcase the students' artistic creations, fostering a supportive environment where their talents can shine brightly.

Star College

Star College is also known as the "transition group" as it refers to the process of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Students in ‘Star College’ are between the ages of 21 to 24 years old.

Emerging adulthood is a concept proposed by Jeffrey Arnett, a popular American psychologist. During this unique period in their lives, they are becoming independent and exploring different life possibilities. At StarCollege, we want to experience various freedoms and rights through cooperation and self-governance and have a period of exploration to establish one's career and identity.

Youth Star

At ‘Youth Star’ students are all above the age of 25, so they are equipped to try out for various certifications including, barista certification, dessert planner certification, Attachment-Based Education Counselor certification, and private certification in Frenetic Pedagogy, certifications like these improve the employability of the students.

Everyone in the youth school is split into 4 crews: cookie, barista, art and publisher crew. Each crew has weekly meetings where they decide what to do check up on each other, and present any findings with the other crews.

Curriculum and Education System

Drawing inspiration from the educational philosophy of French reformist Célestin Freinet, Friends of the Stars adopts a curriculum that prioritizes free expression, cooperative learning, and human rights.

Decision-making is collaborative, involving students, educators, and parents to ensure a supportive environment conducive to healing and growth, where students can have a successful treatment. Unfortunately, many of the students come from a history of being hurt and rejected, so maintaining a supportive environment is vital for the well-being of the school.

At Friends of the Stars, successful treatment is not defined as the disappearance of symptoms but rather as the ability to participate in society and work while managing one's symptoms. By creating an environment for healing, and allowing individuals to utilise their strengths, the staff are committed to helping the stars find their career paths and gain independence.

Programs

Friends of the Stars offers a diverse array of programs, including seasonal schools, travel experiences, and internships aimed at enriching students' learning experiences and fostering community engagement. Additionally, the school hosts workshops and business ventures such as Star Café and Youth Cookies, promoting economic empowerment and artistic expression.

Seasonal School: Seasonal schools are held in summer and winter to provide field experience and community service during school vacations.

Travel School: It is a form of exploring and interacting with foreign and/or domestic schools, through exchange programs with ‘Growth School Stars’.

Class activities: Goals and lifestyles are reviewed with the homeroom class as the centre, and the class is held as one family. Opening and closing meetings are also held centred around the class.

Community Learning Presentation: It is a festive class method that shares the results of the semester's learning with the local community.

Intern class: We provide internship classes to help students explore career paths and gain social experience based on direct experience in the local community.

​Student autonomy activities: There are basic autonomous activities for the student, including; the student councils, female student associations, newspaper companies, and in some cases. Additionally, there are various student autonomous activity methods such as conflict mediation groups and friend support groups.

Workshops and business ventures:

Friends of the Stars is a growth space that helps promote economic activities, offering various classes and qualifications, these include Star Café, Youth Cookies, and Publishing Friends of the Stars. The school also has ongoing workshops on the arts; visual arts, music, and free writing.

Work with Us?

Where can you find us?

You can find us near Dangsan Station (a little over 280 meters away). It is located in the Seongyeon Building, 13 Seonyu-ro 54-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.https://maps.app.goo.gl/nHax4KDqkdDHooSG8 Please contact the admin before visiting to minimize any class disturbances.