KU Starlights Academy

🌟 Welcome to Starlights Academy

Starlights Academy is a year-round volleyball development membership program for players in 3rd–6th grade who want to learn, improve, and stay active in a fun and positive environment. Players will attend weekly practices focused on skill development, movement, teamwork, game understanding, and confidence-building.

Whether your player is brand new to volleyball or continuing to grow her skills, KU Starlights Academy provides a fun, encouraging environment where players can learn, build confidence, make friends, and develop a love for the game throughout the year.

🏐 More Than Just Practice

• Monthly Intramural Game Nights
• Buddy Nights
• Special Events
• Evaluation Opportunities
• Tournament Pathways

🏐 KU Starlights Academy (3rd–6th Grade)

• Tuesdays | 5:30–7:30 PM | Beginning Aug 11
• OR choose Thursdays | 5:30–7:30 PM | Beginning Aug 13
• Monthly Membership: $210
• Practice t-shirt will be given to each player
• If you would rather attend both Tuesday and Thursday, please email SarahW@katyunited.com to be placed on a waiting list.

💳 Membership Information

Enrollment in Mini-Stars Academy is offered through a recurring monthly membership. Upon registration, your first month's membership fee will be charged immediately. Future membership payments will be automatically processed on the same day of each month as your original registration date.

Families may cancel their membership at any time by providing written notice to TiffanyD@katyunited.com Upon cancellation, future auto-payments will be discontinued and no additional charges will be processed. Please refer to the Refund & Cancellation Policy below for complete details.

🎉 Holiday Breaks

No practices will be held during Thanksgiving week, Christmas/New Year's Break, or Spring Break. To provide families with flexibility during busy holiday periods, no regular practices will be scheduled during these breaks. Katy United may offer optional holiday clinics and special events throughout the year for players looking for additional training opportunities. No credits, refunds, or prorated adjustments will be issued for scheduled holiday breaks or missed clinic opportunities.

🌟 Starlights Evaluation Days (K-6th)

At Katy United, evaluations are designed to celebrate progress, recognize accomplishments, and help players understand the next steps in their volleyball journey.

Similar to earning a new belt in martial arts or advancing levels in gymnastics, players participate in age-appropriate evaluations throughout the year to measure growth, celebrate newly learned skills, and determine when they are ready for the next level of training.

All players receive a Starlights Evaluation Certificate highlighting their development and achievements. For some players, evaluations may lead to advancement from Mini-Stars to Starlights Academy or from Starlights Academy to Competitive Starlights.

Our goal is not to "cut" players, but to place every player in an environment where she can be challenged, build confidence, and continue developing a love for the game.

KU Competitive Starlights: Players interested in playing on a competitive Starlights team must attend an evaluation. All participants will receive an evaluation certificate, and players who demonstrate readiness for the increased training, competition, and commitment of Competitive KU Starlights will receive a team offer following evaluations.

Competitive Starlights is for players 5th – 6^th grade (an exception may be made for younger players showing readiness for competitive Starlights)

Register for ONE fall evaluation date that works best for your family.

August 11, 18, or 25

6:00pm – 7:00pm

Fee: $35

Current KU Starlights Academy players may attend evaluations at no charge. To receive a discount code, please email Sarah at sarahW@katyunited.com

At Katy United, Starlights players are coached by trained, experienced, and USAV-certified coaches who are passionate about creating a positive first sports experience for young players.

All coaches complete:

• SafeSport training
• Background checks
• Misconduct awareness education

Parents can feel confident knowing their children are learning in a safe, structured, and encouraging environment while enjoying the excitement of being part of a team.

KU Starlights Academy & Mini-Stars Refund Policy

At Katy United, we understand that plans can change. To help us properly staff and plan for our programs, we have established the following refund policy:

• Cancellations made more than one week prior to the player's start date are eligible for a refund of the membership fee, minus a $50 administrative fee.

• Cancellations made within one week of the player's start date are NOT eligible for a refund of the membership fee.

• Parents may cancel their KU Starlights Academy or Mini-Stars membership at any time by notifying Tiffany Dagley in writing at TiffanyD@katyunited.com

• Upon cancellation, all future auto-payments will be discontinued, and no additional charges will be processed.

• No refunds, credits, or prorated adjustments will be issued for previously billed membership payments, missed practices, or unused program participation.

• If Katy United is unable to hold a scheduled program due to unforeseen circumstances, Katy United will determine whether a makeup session, credit, or alternative accommodation will be provided.

This policy allows us to maintain appropriate staffing, facility scheduling, and program quality while providing flexibility for participating families.