Monarch Learning Center School

Thank you. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Mr. Essig. I was thinking of another person. Thank you.

The leader mentioned in earlier posts was Steve Essig, one of the founding directors of the school. He retired at the end of the 2005 - 2006 school year. He was a school administrator in Shasta county for many years before founding Chrysalis Charter School and then Monarch a few years later. He was the principal investigator for the Science In Rural California (SIRC) project, which provided professional development in the natural sciences for many Shasta County teachers.
--Submitted by a teacher

I have had 3 grandchildren graduate from Monarch, and a 4th one who is in 7th grade. The students can all know each other because the school is small, and none fall through the cracks. The teachers have excellent repore with the kids, and it is a great learning environment.

My kids had started K and one graduated 8th grade at this school. This school has been great. My other son is now in 7th and he loves his teacher. We choose this school because of the smaller class size. And the fact that no kid is held back from a challenge. My older son was good at math. So in 1st. grade he went into the 2nd grade classroom. I love this fact. That they mix class grades according to the individual not their actual grade level or their age. Its a FREE public school that should be given a chance for any new comer.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school with only about 100 kids. The smaller setting allows a more personal feel between students and teachers as well as between students. Parent involvement is strong and brings to the overall setting a sense of family. The academic standards are high and emphasis on respect for each other and the individual differences is also high. There is no tolerance for bullying as is often found in larger schools.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a natural science based school with teachers who really do care about their students. Great variety in extracurricular activities, even a ski club.
--Submitted by a parent

This school seems to be losing some of the acedemic greatness it used to possess. With the loss of a great leader the transition has not been good and this effects the children in a negative manner. I would recommend careful inspection to see if this is the right environment for your child. The teachers is the lower grades seem to be very talented and dedicated to the children. More healthy boundaries could be brought into play. Children need boundaries and not enough are provided in some of the classes.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started at Monarch Learning Center as a Kindergartner this year. There is a wonderful focus on the moral responsibility of the individual student and a great sense of community. As a Kindergartner, my daughter participates in extras like art, music, sign language, Spanish, karate, and more. All of the teachers work together to share their strengths and specialties with each grade level. Miss Krista, the Director is daily involved with the children and parents. The strong encouragement and welcoming of parent volunteers creates a great sense of community, and provides more structure for learning both in class and at home. The flexibility of this charter school is the perfect set up whether you want your child in school 5 days a week, or just two.
--Submitted by Hillary, a parent

I have 2 children who attend Monarch Learning Center. This schools approach to learning goes beyond the reading writing and arithmetic. This school incorporates Science, Sign language, Native American Culture, Music. This is the only school which has on campus a ecological pond with much diverse animal and plant life. Essential learning for future employment with Dept. of Fish and Game. US wildlife service. Dept of Forestry, CDF. This school teaches 'both' sides of the brain, preparing students for the real world.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has a good philosophy, but has missed some very important aspects of teaching. They do not have enough adult supervision to insure a safe bully-free environment or give individualized attention you would expect from a small charter school. When my children were there, they were made to feel inferior and lost in a crowd.
--Submitted by a parent