Meet Kelly Johnson. Kelly is our STARR room monitor, and in her role, she assists in onboarding new students and introducing them to the culture of Hope Academy. 

If you’re wondering what STARR means, Hope Academy offers the Supportive, Therapeutic, Action-focused Recovery Room (STARR) Program for new students, as well as students who are struggling with their behavior, recovery and academics, and even students who might just need a little extra support. The STARR program was designed to set students up for success as they transition into the Hope Academy community. 

Kelly is from Indianapolis and graduated from Hanover College with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Prior to starting at Hope in September of 2022, Kelly worked as a social worker at Whiteland High School. She is passionate about working with at-risk teens and hopes that her students see her as a positive and trusted resource. She knows asking for help can be intimidating but she wants her students to feel safe coming to her when they need support. 

Kelly shared about her experience at Hope Academy and said, “I enjoy the small atmosphere and supportive staff. I enjoy getting to know and help teens adjust to transitioning into a new school.” 

In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending time with her family. She has a three-year-old son and another baby boy due in April! She also loves to cook and spend time in nature. We are so glad our students can be supported by such a positive force, like Kelly.