Montcalm School for Boys and Girls

Words cannot express how we feel and the incredible changes our son has made. We were totally out of options until we came to Montcalm.”Montcalm School Parent

Every child is born into a world of possibilities. But for children whose

behaviors keep them socially, emotionally and academically out of the mainstream,

the possibilities get fewer and fewer. The good news is, emerging bio-neuro research

clearly shows the efficacy of strength-based youth practices in creating positive,

lasting behavior change in children of all ages and abilities, including those with

neurobiological or behavior disorders.

The best news? There’s a nationally recognized, SEVIS-approved therapeutic boarding

school and academic program in south central Michigan that not only offers this

leading-edge approach but helped pioneer many of its practices.

The strength of a strength-based approachMontcalm School was founded on the principles of Starr Commonwealth, a legendary

child care program established in 1913 on the premise that “there’s no such thing as

a bad child.” Starr’s founder knew inherently what recent studies in deep brain learning

prove: every child, even the most challenging, has the capacity for positive, lasting

change. Today, that belief drives the Starr Commonwealth

family of youth services and training programs to impact

more than 1.3 million people a year worldwide.

Your needs drive our solutionsAt Montcalm, we believe in partnership. In fact, as we’ve

developed and refined our services over the years, your

input has been invaluable. We heard from educational

consultants and referring professionals like you

that the need for flexibility is critical. Our

solution: a seamless continuum of services

designed to offer options and continuity.

You told us timely reports and regular

updates were a high priority. Our

answer: reports designed according

to your needs that keep everyone,

including the family, in the loop.

From our year-round school with

rolling admissions and college

preparatory curriculum to individualized

learning programs for students of all

ability levels, Montcalm offers the choices

you want to get the results they

need on every level.

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Students – Treatment Approach

Had a good relationship with a staff member - 77.4%

Learned new skills for problem-solving - 71%

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Wilcox Cottage

Montcalm School for Boys and Girls

is a private therapeutic boarding school

in Albion, Michigan offering practical,

real-world solutions for families of

struggling girls, ages 12-18 and boys,

ages 12-21. Programs specializing in

treating youth with behavioral issues

to those with Autism Spectrum Disorders

have earned Montcalm a national

reputation and have drawn students

from 30 states and five countries.

We have seen such a wonderful, positive change in our son. We see hope and vision in his eyes, something we never thoughtwe would see.”Montcalm School Parent

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This campus changed my life! ”Montcalm School Student“

Montcalm’s clinical model and focus on positive, long-term behavior changeare woven seamlessly throughout the Montcalm experience. It begins with the living

experience itself. Small groups of students live together in a family-like cottage setting

where they build friendships, self-confidence and life skills. Cottage mates attend school

together, have fun together and support one another in group therapy sessions five days

a week under the guidance of highly qualified and compassionate clinicians. It’s an

environment that allows students to build a positive outlook. It also builds empathy

through service learning opportunities. We know that students who are engaged in outside

volunteer activities build a stronger foundation of social interest and their own self-

esteem as they see their importance to the wider community.

OUR APPROACH

At Montcalm School, individual treatment and educational plans are detailed,

individualized and outcome-based. Each student is evaluated through a series of

strength-based assessments and observations that include input from the student,

family members and other important stakeholders in the student’s life. Benchmarks

and goals are established at the start and measured at critical stages.

Developmental & Environmental Assessments

With the student as the primary source of data, a sequenced examination of life events

and behavioral responses helps reveal the private, inner logic driving the child’s behavior

and identifies personal strengths and environmental supports around which to build specific

interventions for healing, growth and resilience. Common primary diagnoses include:

• ADD/ADHD

• Anxiety Disorders

• Asperger’s Syndrome

• Depressive Disorders

• Mood Disorders

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• Pervasive Developmental Disorder

• Reactive Attachment Disorder

• Secondary diagnosis of substance abuse

Parents – Montcalm Experience

Satisfied with program - 91.6%

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Service Learning Project

Clinical Model

The Montcalm clinical model is one

of consilience, a unity of thought and

approach in the treatment of troubled

youth that is strength-based, child-

centered and built around practice-

based evidence from successful child

care traditions and professional

experience. Supported by nearly a

century of success in the treatment

of troubled youth and confirmed by

emerging research in behavioral health

and neuroscience, the principles and

practices behind Starr Commonwealth’s

treatment services and professional

training programs represent the inter-

national standard of excellence in

identifying, treating and healing

trauma- and pain-based behavior

in children and adolescents.

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Newton Hall

We have been around the block with treatment programs. Your program and the positive approach of building on strengths benefited my daughter greatly.”Montcalm School Parent

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Academic Assessment

Montcalm School establishes educational goals and objectives for each student based

on administration of the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery. Post-testing

is completed to determine academic gains and improvements in each assessed area.

Identifying Strengths

Every child has strengths. They may be hidden behind oppositional behaviors.

They may be hidden in them. Montcalm uses strength-based assessments and evaluations

that offer valuable insights to students, therapists, teachers and families on the best

way to pursue and meet personal and academic goals.

• The Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale – Second Edition (BERS- 2)

• Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment

• Peer Group Observation and Assessment

Treatment Tools & Techniques

Montcalm clinicians, therapists and

counselors are skilled in the use of practice-

based therapy and non-coercive tech-

niques to resolve conflicts and facilitate

a student’s self-awareness. Collaborative

conversation, sensory interventions and

other student-centered therapy and

intervention tools give youth new

insights into behaviors and new

confidence in their ability to

change them.

• Motivational Interviewing

• Responsible Ability Pathways

(RAP)

• Life Space Crisis Intervention

• Trauma-Informed Care

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Parents – Montcalm Experience

Felt included in goal setting for child - 94.7%

Montcalm School works with

physicians and licensed

clinicians to provide :

• Psychiatric services

• 24/7 Medical clinic services

• Medication management

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The most rewarding thingis being able to give a child and their family hope. I’m ableto tell them that there are options that are positive in their approach; that it doesn’t have to be punitive.”Educational Consultant

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At Montcalm, we believe our beautiful 350-acre campus of rolling lawns,majestic hardwoods and a fully stocked lake is a healing tool in itself and a tribute to

another of our foundational principles: beauty is a silent teacher. We also believe in the

importance of family and encourage calls, teleconferencing, letters and visits. Beautiful

Koby Cottage is located on campus and was actually built for visiting families, the result

of a generous donation from a former student’s grateful parents.

All Starr Choir

Our popular performing arts group is made up of gifted young singers and musicians who

enjoy sharing their talents and inspiring stories at local concerts and on-campus events.

In addition to choir,

students participate

in music therapy

sessions led by

a licensed music

therapist. We also

offer individual and

group instrument

lessons and

encourage

students to bring

their instruments

with them to

Montcalm.

Recreation Facilities

Montcalm’s full-size gym, pool, racquetball

courts, exercise room, outdoor state-of-the-

art track, ropes course and climbing wall are

all staffed by recreational therapists who

provide individual instruction and encourage-

ment for students of all ability levels.

Chapel-in-the-Woods

While our program is grounded in a Judeo-Christian ethic, we embrace and encourage

students of all faith traditions that recognize and celebrate our connectedness

to God and each other.

Students – Social Interaction

Made friends with other students - 83.9%

Found opportunities for recreationand activity - 93.3%

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Koby Cottage

Chapel-in-the-Woods

All Starr Choir

Become part of something bigger:

Helping young people develop a

stronger foundation of social interest

allows them to discover in themselves

what it really means to be connected

to the world they live in. At Montcalm,

students are given many opportunities

to practice these skills both on campus

and in the community through service

learning projects like volunteering

for Special Olympics.

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You all have given me my daughter back. I have seen so many wonderful changes in her that I am amazed every time I visit. Thank you for helping her meet her potential.

I want to express my gratitude to the music department and choir. They were essential in helping her get some confidence back.”Montcalm School Parent

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Many students come to us with a history of poor grades, due in large part

to long stretches of time spent out of school for behavior issues. The result is often a

student whose self-esteem and motivation are low. They may have given up on school

or become resistant to attending at all. At Montcalm, small classes, specialized attention

and an uninterrupted instruction schedule can make a dramatic difference in a struggling

student's academic performance – and their overall outlook.

We offer a broad range of academic options and individualized instruction for students

at all levels of ability, from elementary school through college. Youth are assessed at the

beginning of the treatment program to determine skills and strengths and to help set

goals. Assessments at the end of treatment identify and measure academic gains and

improvements. Typically, students show an average of two-to-four years of growth in each

assessed area. Parents can also track their student’s progress using Centre, an Internet-

based software tool.

• Montcalm’s on-campus school and faculty of full-time teachers are licensed by the

Michigan Department of Education. Students can graduate with a diploma from Montcalm

School or, if possible and desired, arrangements can be made for a graduating student

to receive a diploma from his or her home high school.

• Classes are conducted weekdays on campus during

regular school hours and are taught by talented

teachers who are highly skilled at assessing and

accommodating individual learning styles. Montcalm

teachers are part of the treatment team and are always

up to date on a child’s treatment issues and progress.

• Post-educational plans are developed with

home school districts, vocational schools and

colleges and universities. Nearby opportunities allow

students to continue their education after high

school. A community college is conveniently

located across from our campus, and local

technical schools are also nearby.

Advanced Courses & College Credit

Montcalm School not only offers a curricu-

lum to fulfill the general credit requirements

for high school graduation but advanced,

interdisciplinary college preparatory

courses in English, math, science, foreign

languages, social sciences, outside

electives and more. Our partnership

with the local community college allows

Montcalm students to earn college credits.

Students can also participate in Michigan Virtual

High School for online learning classes. We work

with local school districts and the student’s

home school as well.

Students – Academics

Found academic help available when needed - 90.3%

Felt better off because of their stay (6 – 12 months later) - 77%

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Norton Cottage

Starr awarded more than

$200,000 in college scholarships

to graduates last year. Montcalm

alumni are continuing their

academic careers at colleges

and universities worldwide,

such as these:

• DePaul University

• Albion College

• Macomb Community College

• Michigan State University

• Bluffton University

• Eastern Kentucky University

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Most of the girls have the same problems I do. I likethat because they have experienced it and canhelp me. ”– Montcalm School Student

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This program has helped me get things back on track. I appreciate it.”Montcalm School Student

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OUTSIDE IN®

Montcalm’s innovative, specialized social skills program helps youth with

Autism Spectrum Disorders build the social and academic skills they need to live richer,

fuller lives. Our therapeutic strength-based treatment approach helps kids at all ability

levels learn to self-regulate their emotions and learn coping skills that allow them to

overcome missing sensory cues. Students of similar ages and abilities live together in

small groups in a comfortable, family-like cottage setting where they build friendships

and practice new social skills together. School, household duties and recreation

outlets give them a new freedom they can embrace and enjoy in an environment

of encouragement and understanding.

• Length of stay is determined by the individual needs of the student

• Year-round school, including summer, with rolling admissions

• Individualized Learning Style Assessments

• Low student-to-teacher and student-to-clinician ratio

• Occupational Therapy as needed

• Ongoing communication and progress reports

• Full access to health clinic, schools, gym and

Outdoor Adventure Education activities

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Montcalm’s Sensory Integration

Room helps students who are

hyper-or hypo-responsive to

environmental stimuli learn to

process missing sensory cues.

An Occupational Therapist works

directly with each student to

help them identify activities

that are alerting, relaxing, self-

soothing and grounding to help

them self-regulate emotions

and stay focused and engaged

academically and socially.

Most of the girls have the same problems I do. I likethat because they have experienced it and canhelp me. ”– Montcalm School Student

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If I see a child who is depressed or despondent and has given up, I can tell them that there’s a place for them wherethey can do exciting and challenging things.”Educational Consultant

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Sensory Integration Room

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CROSSROADS

Montcalm’s structured transitional living program for young adults is another

aspect of our programs developed to ensure success. Parents who never dreamed their

sons would graduate from high school or turn their lives so completely around began

thinking about the next steps. Their hope, and our goal, became Crossroads, an on campus

independent living experience for Montcalm graduates, ages 18-21, who attend nearby

colleges, vocational schools or are entering the workforce.

Crossroads students live independently in on-campus apartments while they work

or go to school. Dedicated staff work closely with each student to reinforce and maintain

academic and social gains and help them build valuable life skills for responsible adult-

hood. Length of stay can vary—we’ve had students from three months up to four years

depending on circumstances, need or student and family preference.

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Students – Crossroads Experience

Learned to shop and prepare meals - 100%

Made friends during stay - 100%

Learned to identify personal strengths - 100%

Parents – Crossroads Experience

Received regular updates on child’s progress - 100%

Met child’s academic needs - 83.3%

Taught child problem-solving skills - 85.7%

Saw positive changes in child - 100%

Satisfied with total program - 100%

Would recommend program to others - 86%

The staff has been wonderful with my client.”Educational Consultant“

For more information about

Montcalm School or to arrange

for a personal tour, contact

us at 866.244.4321 or visit

www.montcalmschool.org.

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Montcalm is a great place for kids in need of structure and immediate accountability. Young people can advance academically because of the one-on-one attention in the classroom and it’s a good place for kids in need of mentoring.”Montcalm School Parent

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13725 Starr Commonwealth Road

Albion, MI 49224

866.244.4321 517.630.2512

montcalmschool.org

© Starr Commonwealth 2012

866.244.4321

www.montcalmschool.org

Montcalm School is SEVIS approved.

Montcalm School is a private program of Starr Commonwealth, trusted since 1913.

To find out more or to schedule a campus tour, call toll free at 866.244.4321.

To inquire about our program and services, please visit www.montcalmschool.org