Is Chrysalis Right for Your Family

Chrysalis is a unique school. It is definitely not a "one size fits all" kind of school. Some families come and gratefully stay with us through 8th grade graduation with 3 or 4 of their children. Other families decide within a year that this school is not the right fit for their children. Sometimes we decide a child has to leave the school. Being enrolled in a school for only a few months is hard on the child, the family, and the school so we try to give you the information you need in order to move beyond hopeful thinking to a decision that's right.

One of the best ways to decide is have your child spend a day at the school. That will usually give both you and us a sense whether Chrysalis is a right place for your child.

Another way is to try generalizing patterns from past students. For example, one group that tends to appreciate Chrysalis is kids who love to read, ask questions, seek or create opportunities for learning. Kids like this who transfer in from upper grades sometimes are experiencing teasing for being unique or a nerd and really appreciate coming to a place where they and their peers can shine together. Sometimes older girls in this group are starting to dim their intellectual light because it's not cool. Another group that tends to do well is children who pursue passions with inner motivation. One example of such a passion is love of nature. Children who choose to spend lots of their free time outside (as opposed to, say, on video games) enjoy the school's emphasis on time in nature. Another group that tends to really love Chrysalis is parents who creatively involve themselves in their child's learning. They love that they are welcomed into the day-to-day operations of the school and that the school nourishes their freedom and ability to take advantage of opportunities for learning such as family trips or pursuing a special project.

One group that has a hard time at Chrysalis is students who have a hard time with transitions or open structures. Except for the youngest, students move from group to group, room to room, teacher to teacher throughout the day. Chrysalis is very fluid which can be frustrating for some students who really need structure. A group that tends not to thrive is students with high rates of absences or tardies. Because much of the learning is through direct, interactive experience, a "make-up" textbook assignment can't substitute for a day at Chrysalis. Another group that is often disappointed is families that have had problems at other schools and think that because Chrysalis is different and "hands-on", that means their children can do whatever whenever. Such families should read our expectations in our Parent-Student Handbook. As a general rule, students gain more autonomy as they develop more responsibility. Students who have consistently demonstrated responsibility have earned large amounts of freedom. Students who have not yet demonstrated responsibility find themselves with less freedom than they had at previous schools: coaching from teachers concerning behaviors the child has come to think of as "just messing around", study hall during lunch (for those students who haven't completed their homework), telephone calls and parent conferences to discuss specific behavior.

Another way is to listen to other parents. We asked some of our loyal, long-term parents to share what they think a questing family should know about Chrysalis..

"I think one of the main things that makes Chrysalis unique is the family atmosphere where kids can feel safe to learn and grow. One thing I think prospective families should be aware of is that Chrysalis is a "chaordic" type of organization and it might help if they know what that looks like and would that be right for their family. Some families need more structure. Miss you guys,"

Chaordic is a dynamic balance between chaos and order. Highly responsive but a bit messy.

"Chrysalis Charter School is a place where children don't have to fit into a specific mold. If as a parent you think children need a strict structured environment to learn, then Chrysalis would not be a good choice.

"Chrysalis allows children to thrive and develop at their own pace. For example, if your child is reading lower than grade level, the teachers will work with your child at that level, until they are up to speed. This also works if your child is above their grade level, they will be allowed to work where their mind and abilities are best suited. Each student is given the opportunity to develop and learn at a pace that best fits the student. Small class size allows for a lot of one on one learning.

"Chrysalis Charter School doesn't fit the "traditional" public school pattern, in that a lot of the experiences in learning the teachers provide for the students are of a more physical and hands on approach, rather than a desk & text book approach. For example: in Math the students use manipulative objects to create and solve a math problem, such as, weighing fruit at a grocery store and calculating the cost based on the current days price. It is a much more visual and realistic approach to learning.

"For so many years a system has been used to teach in schools, without giving in to the idea that not everyone learns in the same way, at the same pace and level. If a student can't keep up they fail, if they are above level they are forced to wait for others to reach their level. Chrysalis takes each student as an individual and creates a learning plan which works best for the students needs. The school's system can look, to an outsider, as unorganized and chaotic, but when examined more closely, and taking into account the students best interest, it truly is a great way to provide an interesting, creative, stimulating and personally responsive learning environment.

"We chose Chrysalis for our children because we wanted (and felt they needed), a place where they could grow and learn at their own individual speeds. They have done tremendously well, and can often be heard saying "I love my school." I have consistently felt that my children have been nurtured and cared for by their teachers. There are a lot of options available when choosing a school, and Chrysalis isn't for everyone, but if you are looking for a school that can give your child individual attention using a hands-on learning style, then Chrysalis is the right choice."