The issue with just taking off and landing at the local high school, is that you are really risking damage to your plane. If you haven't been properly instructed on takeoffs and landings, then you risk stalling, porpoising, and nosediving.

The typical sequence of instruction seems to be 1) get used to flying the pattern at constant altitude, 2) practice your turns in both directions, 3) practice going high, cutting power, and gliding in for "low" passes, 4) landing, 5) taking off.

I may have things a bit mixed up, being in the middle of this process myself, but I do know that taking off and landing are the hardest parts, and it doesn't seem right that an instructor will just send you off on your own to do these.

CORRECTION:

Sorry, I just looked up the Easy Star. I thought you were talking about a high-wing trainer (NexStar, ElectriStar) type plane. This is a foam pusher, which won't damage as easily on landings.

Good luck