Chrysalis presence on social networks

Keep up with the latest developments at Chrysalis School by connecting with us on social networks.

Our Facebook page includes photos albums of the Chrysalis campus, adventures trips and international service work. We encourage you to post comments on our wall about your Chrysalis experience.

We use our Twitter feed to tweet about things like our trip to the Canmore Folk Music Festival and our service work at Glacier National Park.

Chrysalis has a full capacity of 36 students this semester and we're looking forward to telling you about our students' achievements and adventures throughout the year.

Family style living

Students at Chrysalis School live family style in one of three buildings on our campus. Living with a dozen other teens, the students learn responsibility by performing daily chores, completing home work in different academic subjects and keeping physically fit.

Each student confronts their personal obstacles that have made it difficult for them to excel in a traditional educational setting. They undergo individualized counseling, working with counselors and in group or family counseling sessions.

Over the years, hundreds of Chrysalis students have learned how to cope with their problems, improve interpersonal communication and resolve conflicts. They learn self-discipline and self-awareness.

NATSAP membership

Our school is a full member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).

NATSAP was founded in 1999 to serve as a nationwide resource to assist programs that work with young people who are facing emotional and behavioral challenges, according to NATSAP. The organizations is governed by a volunteer board of directors that's composed of representatives from NATSAP organizations.

To be a NATSAP member, a program must be licensed by the appropriate state agency or accredited by a nationally recognized behavioral health accreditation agency. In addition, all NATSAP members must be overseen by a qualified clinician, the NATSAP site says.

NATSAP publishes an annual directory of member schools to inform families, professionals and programs about the many alternative treatment settings available in the United States.

Student schedules

Students at Chrysalis School have plenty to keep them busy during the school year.

Their typical day begins with a morning workout, followed by breakfast chores. Then comes seven hours of school. Academic subjects include English, mathematics, foreign languages, art, physical education and music.

Physical fitness is an important part of the Chrysalis experience. Students spend an hour a day in different fitness activities.

"We do a lot of student activities," said Chrysalis founder Kenny Pannell. "We mountain bike and we ride horses and we do rock climbing and we white water raft and we canoe."

Evenings at Chrysalis can include group therapy, free time and homework.

In the summer, Chrysalis students spend time with all kinds of activities such as dance, art and service projects.

A Simpler Life

Students at Chrysalis School experience a simpler lifestyle without some of the technologies that can often distract them at home. The beautiful, remote setting of northwestern Montana is a far cry from the large cities where many of the students have been raised.

Instead of talking on cellphones or playing video games, Chrysalis students spend their time studying different subjects, undergoing individual and group therapy sessions and learning how to overcome personal obstacles.

Chrysalis location

Located a handful of miles from the Canadian border, Chrysalis is a therapeutic boarding school in northwestern Montana.

Our 65-acre campus includes student housing, a gym/office complex, soccer fields, tennis courts and volleyball courts. We also have areas where our students can ride horses.

We are located in a gorgeous setting that's about five hours northeast of Spokane, Washington and five hours south of Calgary, British Columbia.

Chrysalis enrolls teenage girls from across the United States, with about half of our students coming from the West.

Chrysalis program description

Here at Chrysalis School, we help our students grow and develop in a healthy, safe environment. Our system of instruction helps the teenage girls make positive choices and they increase in maturity and self-esteem.

The Chrysalis experience is individualized. No two of the hundreds of girls who have studied here have had the exact same experience. Each student undergoes a unique process according to their needs and learns at their own pace.

Our comprehensive approach to treatment includes individual therapy, group family and family therapy.

Students don't have a defined length of stay at Chrysalis. The typical stay is 1.5 to 2 years. We expect them to graduate from our program at the end of their time here in Eureka, Montana.

Accredited with NIPSA

Chrysalis is one of only four schools in the state of Montana that are accredited with the National Independent Private Schools Association, according to NIPSA .

NIPSA accreditation involves school data, organizational structure, curriculum, staff, activities and more.

There are NIPSA-affiliated schools in 19 states from Alabama to Wisconsin. The organization abides by a code of ethics and has an external team of evaluators that affirm the professionalism of member schools.

Chrysalis is proud to be accredited by NIPSA. Other accredited Montana schools are the Monarch School in Heron, Montana; Montana Academy in Marion, Montana and Turning Winds Academic Institute in Troy, Montana.

Chrysalis Academics

Academics at Chrysalis School are designed to help teenage girls who have struggled in traditional academic settings such as public schools.

We employ state-certified high school teachers, as well as several tutors. Students study subjects such as English, history and mathematics, and they're also expected to get active in extracurricular activities such as athletics, music and service projects.

Thirty-six students started the fall semester here in Eureka, Montana. The Chrysalis experience is meant to prepare girls for the rigors of college academics. Students at Chrysalis learn skills like time management and teamwork.

Getting families involved

Families play an essential role in our work here at Chrysalis School. Our clinical staff works closely with both parents and students as part of the therapeutic environment. We communicate with families through Skype or phone calls and encourage carefully planned visitation both on and off campus.

Chrysalis families are also encouraged to participate in our travel program. We take service project trips to places like Glacier National Park and also offer an optional overseas trip where students can learn about other cultures.

We encourage parents to write a weekly letter to the Chrysalis student as part of our goal to strengthen family relationships. Family therapy sessions take place here at Chrysalis, including multi-family sessions that are conducted each Thanksgiving.