About Us
The Starz Program™ is committed to enriching lives. We promote fitness which we believe improves self-esteem and overall well-being. Starz was founded in 2005 after seeing a need to provide fundamental skills in the areas of fitness to preschool age children. Starz operates within schools, both public and private, and has a wealth of propriety operational guidelines to include specialized curriculum's in the areas of Dance, Sports Skills, Cheer and Fitness. By providing fitness based enrichment classes on-site in schools and at other facilities, we make it easy for busy families to help their children develop the skills they need to get moving and stay active. Parents that have experienced our program often select their child's next school based on which schools we serve. The impeccable standards and professionalism Starz holds make us second to none.
OUR PRINCIPLES
Caring
At Starz, caring is at the center of everything we do. We care about our communities, students, families and schools. We also care for one another and the important work we are doing - enriching lives! .
Passionate
We have experienced the impact the arts and fitness has had on our lives which is why we are so passionate about sharing dance, sports, cheerleading and fitness with our students! .
Dependable
You can count on Starz to provide fitness based enrichment classes on-site in schools and at other facilities. We show up and help make it easy for busy families to help their children develop the skills they need to get moving and stay active!
The Starz Story
As a middle school teacher, I taught about 150 students per day and saw over one thousand students per day engage in activities in and out of the gym. I soon began to notice a strong correlation between students who did not engage in recreational activities compared to those students who were actively participating in athletics. I began to realize when students had a foundation or aptitude for sports and athletics, they had higher self-esteem, better friend relationships, and performed better academically in school. I made a mental note of these observations.
A few months later, I took my then, four-year -old son Vinny and his friend we will call “Bobby” to the park. I grabbed some t-ball equipment and off we went. Vinny grabbed the bat and hit a home run! His friend Bobby, who was also four, was next to hit. Bobby could not hold the bat properly, much less figure out where to stand at the plate. I could visibly see this child’s dejection and lack of confidence. There was definitely a cloak of sadness that came over him. I knew in his mind he was thinking how come Vinny could hit a homerun but he couldn’t. I sprang into action. I quickly stepped in and said, “Here Bobby, let me show you.” After giving him instruction and practice in t-ball basic skills, he too was hitting the ball! The beam that was coming off of this young child was strong! He was glowing with pride and had a sense of joy and accomplishment! It was then I knew we needed to teach young children the fundamentals of sports at an early age. Doing so sets their self-esteem on the right path, and self-esteem leads to success in so many facets of life. I realized children needed early intervention, small group instruction, and in that moment, STARZ was Born!
Sophia Wastler
Starz Program Founder
Starz Program Named rvAwesome Founder of the Year!
December 4th, 2018 – Richmond, Virginia. The Starz Program, a children’s fitness educational program is named overall winner of the rvAwesome Founder of the Year award. This inaugural award is sponsored by Venture Forum Richmond, UnBoundRVA and Activation Capital.
The rvAwesome Founder of the Year award, previously known as Companies to Watch promotes and recognizes vibrant leaders in the local business community. “We are honored the Starz Program has been chosen to receive this award,” said Founder and CEO Sophia Wastler. “We love fostering healthy lifestyles in young children because we know it will have a lasting impact.”
Wastler is a former Health and Physical Education teacher who taught middle school for the Virginia Beach City Public School System. The Starz Program, launched in Hampton Roads, expanded to Richmond, and is now a franchise opportunity available in all 50 states. The program’s unique curriculum promotes skills and fitness which contribute to children’s self-confidence and overall well-being.
The Starz Program operates within schools, public and private, providing specialized fitness-based classes, on-site at partner schools. By providing these classes on-site in schools and at other facilities, Starz makes it easy for busy families to help their children develop the skills they need to get moving and stay active.
“It’s exciting to see the impact our program is having on children’s lives. When we teach a child a new skill, we see their self-esteem elevate and higher self-esteem establishes overall success throughout a child’s life” said Wastler. “Our company prides itself on enriching lives and that’s what we are committed to doing as new owners join our team and we Spread Shine across the United States.”For more information on Starz visit www.StarzProgram.com or for franchise information www.Starzfranchise.com
The Virginian-Pilot FEATURES The Starz Program
Check out our feature article HERE!
The Richmond-Times Dispatch
Starz feature Article HERE!