Chrysalis Experiential Academy
FEATURED ARTICLES

Conner, 9th Grade

"I really struggled with math and writing when I attended public school. The worst part was that when I struggled, the teachers would lose patience with me and become frustrated. I’ve been at Chrysalis since last winter and my grades have improved tremendously. The teachers are real people and really care about us. It’s nice to be able to relate to them and get to know them. And, when I have trouble understanding a concept, they allow me to walk around a bit, which helps my thinking process. I return to my desk with a clearer understanding. I could never do that in a public school."

Ally, 12th Grade

"I heard of Chrysalis through a friend of mine who left the public school system to attend Chrysalis. The public school just wasn’t working for me; there were too many people who were materialistic and judgmental. I never participated in any extracurricular activities there, but at Chrysalis I’m involved in several activities, such as drama, soccer, and community service through the school. Brooke and I started a dance club, where we choreograph and teach dances to the younger kids. You can tell they really want to be there, too. They like learning the dances and we like working with them. Chrysalis has allowed me to experience a wide variety of activities that I would have never tried at the public school."

Devon, 10th Grade

"The teachers have been very nice, understanding, and very honest. Everyone here is free to be themselves without being ridiculed by anyone, even the students. We learn through experiences and projects, not just textbooks and reports. Right now, we’re working on a science fair. I’m observing a few different plants to see if the music I play for them, such as hard rock and Baby Einstein, affects their rate of growth. Attending Chrysalis has helped me become comfortable with myself and has given me the confidence to accomplish my goals. When I graduate, I’d like to attend Emory to become a pediatrician, and Chrysalis has helped me realize that this goal is within my grasp."

Austin, 7th Grade

"I love Chrysalis Experiential Academy! Everyone here is so nice, even other students. When someone goes to the principal’s office, it’s rarely because they are in trouble. Most of the time, it’s just to say hello. The teachers make the work interesting and listen when I have something to say or a question to ask. My favorite teachers are Joel Mooney and Jason Beebe, and my favorite project was constructing rockets for science class. We built model rockets and assembled the whole thing from scratch, inside and out. The schoolwork is challenging, but not impossible. During the day when we have free time, we’re allowed to play games or go outside. We can even listen to our iPods, if we ask permission first. Last year, we took a field trip to downtown Atlanta for Middle School Mayhem. It’s fun to go to school!"

Brooke, 12th Grade

"I wasn’t involved in any activities in public school, but now I’m a student ambassador for Chrysalis, giving tours and sharing my experiences with other people interested in the school. I work better in the smaller environment offered by Chrysalis. It’s much more personal, like one big family, which makes coming to school in the morning fun. Because of the smaller size, we’ve had the opportunity to take field trips to places such as the Native American sweat lodge in Helen, GA. It was an inspirational, cultural trip of spiritual cleansing and rebirth. We were able to immerse ourselves in that culture for a day, focusing on nature instead of the materialism and metropolitan distractions of our culture. Being here has helped me as a person and has inspired me to accomplish everything I’ve dreamed of. Chrysalis helps us to realize our dreams and goals after graduation, focusing on college or other paths. After graduation, I plan to attend Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC, to become a child psychologist."