One place to grow, from 6 weeks to 8th grade.
Novastar is childcare, preschool, elementary, and middle school in Centennial, Colorado. A child can start as an infant and stay through 8th grade.
About our founder, Larisa Hegenbarth
Larisa Hegenbarth, Founder
Colorado Small Business Person of the Year, 2025 (U.S. Small Business Administration)
Larisa Hegenbarth is the founder of Novastar, which offers childcare, preschool, and a private K-8 school on two campuses in Centennial, Colorado. She has more than 20 years of experience in traditional, online, and blended education, and has written curriculum and led teams in public and private schools.
Larisa was born in the Republic of Udmurtia in Russia, immigrated to the United States, and became a U.S. citizen. She holds an M.A. in Philology and an M.B.A. earned across Russia, the Netherlands, and the United States, completed advanced studies in Education Leadership at the University of Denver, and is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Leadership for Personalized Education. She speaks English and Russian.
A former schoolteacher, she began by writing her own programs for immigrant families. In 2017, she founded a nonprofit providing English as a Second Language courses. In 2022, she and her husband opened their first childcare center, on Smoky Hill Road, and demand from families led to a second campus with childcare, preschool, and kindergarten through 8th grade.
Novastar teaches through hands-on, project-based STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), with world languages and career and technical education classes such as coding and culinary arts. Larisa's belief, in her own words: "Every child can learn provided a nurturing environment."
In 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration named Larisa Colorado's Small Business Person of the Year. She has also presented Novastar's blended learning model at the Colorado Department of Education's Blended Learning Initiative.
Our teachers
Licensed teachers and subject experts, including a career programmer who teaches coding.
Macie Gutierrez
English Language Arts & Theatre Teacher
Christal Ganesan
Science Teacher
Madison Wollerman
Social Studies and Humanities Teacher
Lyle Smith
ELA, ELD, Math, and Elementary Teacher
Laura Ibbotson
Mathematics Teacher, Researcher
Tatiana Zeltzer Valverde
Visual Arts Teacher
Vitalii Rudenko
Career & Technical Education Instructor (Coding, Digital Design, Programming)
Evelyn Chacon Vivas
Spanish Teacher
Laura Barrera
Director Assistant
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 child care assistance
- State-licensed childcare
Our approach
Hands-on STEAM, career classes from kindergarten, and Spanish.
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.
In our school
- Project-based learning built on highly rated curriculum
- A personalized learning path for every student
- Students grouped by academic level and readiness, not only by age
- Licensed teachers, with subject experts for coding, culinary arts, and the arts
- Character education built on mentorship and coaching
- A field trip every quarter
- Report cards, and a transcript for high school after 8th grade
Start at 6 weeks. Stay through 8th grade.
Your child can grow up with us, then leave with a transcript for high school.
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.
Homeschooling? Our homeschool day is for kindergarten to 8th grade. You teach at home. Your child joins us one day a week for classes with expert teachers, and friends.
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.