Childcare, elementary, and middle school. From 6 weeks through 8th grade.
Two campuses in Centennial, Colorado: Smoky Hill, and Arapahoe near I‑25. Hands-on STEAM, career classes from kindergarten, and Spanish.
- 6 weeks through 8th grade
- 2 campuses in Centennial
- Free Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK)
- Career classes from kindergarten
- Hands-on STEAM
- Spanish
- Open 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Fresh meals from our own kitchen
- Local childcare assistance and military assistance accepted
Choose your child’s age
One school, from a baby’s first classroom to 8th grade graduation.
Childcare
6 weeks to 5 years
Infant and toddler care, preschool, and free Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) for 4-year-olds, at both campuses.
Elementary
Kindergarten to 5th grade
Full-time kindergarten to 2nd grade, or hybrid with two days a week on campus.
Middle School
6th to 8th grade
Hybrid middle school: two days a week on campus for coding, digital design, culinary arts, and more.
Homeschool
Kindergarten to 8th grade
You teach at home. Your child joins us one day a week for classes with expert teachers, and friends.
What families say
“I am not sure any other place I know emphasizes science for 3 year olds!! My son LOVES Miss Christal and comes home daily talking about his science lessons that she plans for them DAILY. She is the absolute best. It has made school fun for him and seeing him want to be a scientist at home melts my heart!!”
Kaitlyn E. · Google review
“Really enjoy this daycare!! Never look elsewhere. The kids get a great education and I intend on having my son here through 8th grade! … Larisa, the owner, is outstanding and only wants the best staff.”
Ben A. · Google review
“My son has been at Novastar for 3 months and he absolutely loves going every day. The teachers they hire have a real passion for taking care of children like they were their own and make sure to provide feedback to parents/guardians as well as adhere to any requests given to them. … Additionally, Novastar uses the Procare app which provides parents/guardians with daily updates on feedings, napping and activities which has given my husband and I a lot of reassurance knowing how our son is being cared for. We have been very happy with Novastar and have recommended it to several other friends with little ones.”
Kim N. · Google review
“We have been a part of the Novastar family for 4 years now, between my 2 kids. … I could not be happier with the care we have received. … Christal is supportive and caring, but also provides structure and learning in the classroom. My daughter is constantly reciting lessons and content she learned at school when she is home. … Larisa, the owner and director, has done a lot of wonderful things with the center over the past couple years. From what I have seen and heard, she works with families, as well as her staff and their families, to try and create a supportive community.”
Allison L. · Google review
“I am so happy with Novastar. Ms. Angie and Ms. Neris are amazing, they care for my daughter as if she was their own. The facility is always clean and organized. It has made my transition back to work so much easier. If I could give 10 stars I would!”
Aliah E. · Google review
“We've been here for about 2 years and love it! The staff and teachers are wonderful and know everyone by name. I feel very confident my kids are safe and in the best hands. The communication has exceeded my expectations and my kids are learning so much from everyone. It's the perfect location for us (just a few miles from the house) and very convenient for pick up and drop off. Not to mention they have covered playgrounds for my kids who burn easily in the Colorado sun! Highly recommend this affordable daycare.”
Margaret S. · Yelp review
“The founder, Larisa Hegenbarth, is a quality educator with whom I had the privilege to work before I retired. She is smart, dedicated, and her love for young people promotes values extending into the heart and the mind, helping students learn in an environment that allows them freedom to explore. From what I could tell, her teachers are highly qualified and provide student-centered learning that might be the right fit for your child. Larisa would not have it any other way. This is not a daycare -- it is a whole learning experience for all children K-8.”
Veteran 1971 U. · Yelp review
“It is a good center, and I know that my daughter has been in good hands.Ms. Christal and Ms. Linda are very loving, attentive and respectful! They are always willing to help, inform you and advise you on all aspects related to the education of children.”
Brenda C. · Google review
“My son has been going here for a little over a week and comes home so tired from playing and having fun. He is only 3 months old and they take good care of him. I love how they send me pics and updates throughout the day on their app.”
Jessalynn L. · Google review
“My 10 month old son goes here and the staff is amazing! I love getting updates with pictures through their app and they are overall a great facility ❤️”
Jessica L. · Google review
- Founder named Colorado Small Business Person of the Year, 2025, by the U.S. SBA
- Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) provider
- Accepts local childcare assistance
- State-licensed childcare
Why families choose Novastar
A school day focused on academics and hands-on learning, with licensed teachers and subject experts.
Hands-on STEAM
Science, technology, engineering, art, and math through projects, from preschool up.
Career classes from kindergarten
Coding and programming, digital design, and culinary arts, starting in kindergarten. Our coding teacher is a career programmer.
Spanish
Spanish classes for elementary and middle school students.
One place from 6 weeks to 8th grade
A child can start as an infant and stay through 8th grade, then leave with a transcript for high school.
Take a look inside
Walk through our classrooms, teaching kitchen, gym, bowling lane, space room, and playground in about a minute, before you visit.
See your options in a minute
A few quick taps. You’ll see every program that fits your child, with prices, right away.
How it works
Three simple steps from your first question to your child’s first day.
A quick, friendly chat
Our admissions team answers your questions and helps you find the right fit.
Visit campus
See the classrooms, meet the teachers, and ask anything.
Enroll
Simple paperwork, and we'll walk you through every step.
Meet our founder, Larisa
Larisa Hegenbarth, Founder
Colorado Small Business Person of the Year, 2025 (U.S. Small Business Administration)
Larisa Hegenbarth is the founder of Novastar, with more than 20 years in traditional, online, and blended education as a teacher, curriculum writer, and school administrator. In 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration named her Colorado's Small Business Person of the Year.
A former schoolteacher, she began by writing her own programs for immigrant families. In 2017 she founded a nonprofit offering English classes, and in 2022 she and her husband opened their first childcare center. Families asked for more, and Novastar grew into one school from 6 weeks through 8th grade.
Meet Larisa and our teamQuestions parents ask
Don’t see your question? Our admissions team can answer it on a quick call.
See your optionsWhat ages do you serve?
From 6 weeks old through 8th grade. Childcare and preschool cover 6 weeks to 5 years at both campuses. Elementary (kindergarten to 5th grade), middle school (6th to 8th grade), and the homeschool day are at the Arapahoe campus.
How much does it cost?
Full-time kindergarten to 2nd grade is $530 a month. Hybrid, kindergarten to 8th grade, is $530 a month. The homeschool day is $250 a month. Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) for 4-year-olds is free. Childcare tuition depends on your child's age, and our admissions team will go over it on your call.
What is Universal Preschool (UPK)?
Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) is the state's free preschool program for 4-year-olds. It covers 15 or 30 hours a week, depending on your child's qualification, with free meals during program hours. We offer it at both campuses.
What is hybrid school?
Your child is on campus two days a week, Tuesday and Wednesday, for coding, digital design, culinary arts, STEAM lab, visual arts, music and performing arts, and Spanish. Core subjects happen at home the other days. Students get report cards and transcripts, and a field trip every quarter.
Do you offer before and after school care?
Yes. Before school care is 7:00 to 8:00 am for $10 a day, and after school care is 3:00 to 6:00 pm for $25 a day.
Do you accept local childcare assistance or military childcare assistance?
Yes. We accept Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK), local childcare assistance (CCCAP), and military childcare fee assistance.
Are there any current offers?
New childcare families get one free month in their first six months: half off month 1 and half off month 6. Refer a family: when they enroll, you get 30% off one month.
Where are you?
Smoky Hill campus: 20901 E Smoky Hill Rd, Centennial, CO 80015. Arapahoe campus: 11002 E Arapahoe Pl, Centennial, CO 80112. The Arapahoe campus is near I-25 and Arapahoe Road, by the Denver Tech Center.