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Chrysalis Charter School will lease Bishop Quinn space
Like a butterfly that finally emerges from the confines of its chrysalis, Chrysalis Charter School students will have a new place to learn.
Yesterday Chrysalis signed a lease to rent one wing of the former St. Francis Middle School, part of the Bishop Quinn High School campus in Palo Cedro.
The Diocese of Sacramento recently announced its decision to close Bishop Quinn, a private Catholic school. It followed the 2007 closure of St. Francis Middle School, next to Bishop Quinn.
Virginia Siemans, Chrysalis manager for 11 years, said staff, parents and children are excited about the move that will happen in the fall.
She said the lease will allow Shasta County’s oldest charter school to operate all its classes in one space.
“We’re renting nine large classrooms and a science lab,” she said about the new facility during a Tuesday afternoon telephone call.
“This will be more space than we’ve ever had.”
Chrysalis was founded 13 years ago inside a Turtle Bay portable building. Most recently, the hands-on math-and-science-focused school was a divided campus. The younger students assemble in a church on Cedars Road in south Redding, and the older students assemble in a building off Commerce Street near Hilltop Drive in Redding.
Siemans said Chrysalis has about 100 students, but will accept about another 30 more. For applications, parents can call Siemans at 225-0318 or go to the Chrysalis Web site .
“We have a well-established school,” she said. “Students do well here, families are happy, and it’s a safe and respectful place.”
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My son attended both Chrysalis and St Frances, spanning the years 2000 to ‘04. Both schools were academically demanding, in their own way, and with excellent results. They both required a very significant amount of parental involvement, something that was never lacking in amount or enthusiasm in either school. The difference is that one was free of tuition, the other was not. It’s a sign of the times, one was sustainable and, unfortunately, one was not. I wish Chrysalis well, they provide an excellent option for many children who thrive in a “hands on” environment. And I recommend it highly.
I am thrilled with the new site mainly because it allows the staff to bring the programs together and we all get to nurture the community they work hard at creating at Chrysalis. This school works hard at fostering creativity and academic goals which will help the students continue onward to a successful life. I have found that Chrysalis honors all facets of the individual student and work to provide a safe, respectful and nurturing environment for children. It is a joy to have more space for the kids in this new place and I look forward to the years to come as the new site and Parkville come into reality for future generations. I recommend Chrysalis to any parent willing to let their kids get a hands on education!
We just got back from a Chrysalis open house at St. Francis. The kids (and the staff) were running around with huge grins on their faces. This will be a perfect facility for them, they will even have a wonderful science lab and what great play spaces! Congratulations Chrysalis. Way to go.
I do need to say that it’s a shame that B.Q. had to close. It was a wonderful school and it’s closure is a real loss to the community. It’s one of those “no fair” situations. B.Q. will be missed but at least Chrysalis will finally have the campus it needs.
Sue Crandell
The teachers as well as the students were overjoyed after attending last night’s open house. One student expressed his joy by raising his hands in the air and shouting, “are you kidding me?” as he entered the gymnasium. There is no doubt that this new home will bring new light to the Chrysalis community.