Student Population: Chrysalis is a school of 200 students in grades K-12. These include internationally competitive athletes, students with learning challenges, honors students, students with health issues, and students who travel. Students span a wide range of academic accomplishment. There is no testing requirement as a prerequisite for admission.
Senior Class: There were 42 graduates in the Class of 2011. Average SAT score for the last 3 years was 1560 (Reading 536, Math 513, Writing 511). Last year’s graduating class had 12 Wash. State Honors Award recipients (top 10% of the entire state’s graduating class).
University Bound: From the classes of 2008 through 2011, 56% went on to a 4-year university and 28% to a community college or tech school. Our students have been accepted at a variety of universities including: Yale, University of Washington, Carnegie Mellon University/Boston Conservatory, Julliard, New University (Joffrey Ballet), California Polytechnical University, Amherst, Evergreen, Syracuse, Renesslar Polytechnical Institute, Lehigh, Chapman, Lewis and Clark, Knox, Butler, Seattle Pacific University, Washington State University, Western Washington University, Gonzaga, Cornish, Art Institute of Seattle, and most area community colleges.
2010: We had 13 Washington State Scholars – those who are in the top 10% of the graduating class state wide based on GPA and SAT scores.
Staff: There are teachers on staff certified to teach every required high school subject. There are 36 certified teachers, 18 with master’s degrees. We have 19 teachers who have been at Chrysalis over 5 years. Three of our teachers also serve in an extra capacity as technology specialists and 1 as guidance counselor. There are 12 support staff.
Curriculum: Chrysalis offers small-group classes of 6-12 students. Many subjects are taught one to one. Some classes are core college preparatory classes and follow a traditional syllabus. Other classes are oriented more towards individual interests and vary based on student input. A course catalog is available on our web site. All courses required for university entrance are offered and may be completed at an advanced or honors level. IB or AP classes are not offered. We do provide AP testing and untimed SAT testing.
Diploma Requirements (minimum 19 credits): 3 English, 2 Math (3 years of math with the class of 2013), 2 Science, 1 World History, 1 US History, .50 Washington History, .50 Computer, .50 Careers, 2 PE, 1 Fine Arts, and electives. An honors diploma requires a 4th year of English, Algebra II, Physics or Chemistry, .50 more History, and
2 years of the same foreign language.
Grades: We use a 4-point system. Students must have the equivalent of a “C” grade to receive credit. Courses can be taken for a grade or pass/fail. We do not rank students.
Advantages and Special Features: Chrysalis places an emphasis on learning independently, requiring students to become self-directed learners using time away from school to learn or serve the community. Independent learning through a one-to-one mentor relationship with a teacher allows for students’ interests and abilities to be taken into consideration when designing their overall curriculum. While the content of this student/teacher time is mostly academic and instructional in character, it is the personal relationship that emerges from this contact that is most influential. Other features include a flexible schedule and a summer school option.
