About the Nonprofit
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Mission- The Monarch School and Institute is globally recognized and dedicated to providing an innovative, therapeutic education for individuals with neurological differences in an environment supporting self-determination and empowerment in the greater Houston community. Our vision is to serve the educational needs of individuals with neurological differences by offering a unique, therapeutic learning enrivonment where active minds are challenged, all are treated with respect and dignity, learning is a joy and wisdom is the outcome. In short, Monarch transforms lives of individuals diagnosed with neuroglogcal differences, such as Austism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, learning and behavior disorders, tourettes syndrome and a host of other diagnosis. The majority of students have a dual, or more, diagnosis. The age range is from pre-k to adult learners.
In addition to the school programs, Monarch has a robust employment program for adult learners, coupled with a culinary kitchen where students have real life experience in meal planning, preparation and service. The students also work and learn in the Life Building Center (LBC) where they learn about the environment and their impact on our earth. They recycle and learn how to make vermicompost. They take care of worms and learn all about composting. The LBC boasts a 600 gallon aquaponic garden (built by Exxon Mobil volunteers) where students grow and harvest various herbs and plants, which are used in the culinary kitchen. The adult students run and manage the Wings Store, which is a brick and mortar and online store that sells a variety of items made by the students. The store is responsible for providing items for the annual fundraiser event and the Holiday Sale. The funds raised from the store go back to supporting the Wings Store operations. One of the goals of Monarch is to empower the learners to be able to eventually go to neuro-typical school, go to a college or university or to live and flourish in society and to live independent lives.
The Chrysalis program serves the pre-school, elementary and secondary academic levels and is both academic and therapeutic. The Bridge program serves students who are ready to transition from Chrysalis to the Butterfly program but still need a littl bit of support. The Butterfly program serves students at the middle and high school levels. In the butterfly program, students change classes and teachers throughout the the day much like a neuro-typical school experience. The Transition program helps guide young adults toward increased capacity for employment, education and life outside their family home. The Residential program provides social and emotional support, healthy lifestyles, physical movement, robust social opportunities, medication oversight, personal hygiene support and meal planning. Students can apply the skills they have learned and continue to learn, to help them become independent.
Our programs focus on four core goals of: 1.) self regulation and self awareness, 2.) executive functioning, 3.) relationship development and 4.) academic and professional competencies. Of our students who can work and be employed, 85% of them are working or in an academic program to further their education. A very unique aspect of Monarch is the ability to meet the student where they are and to focus on the students gifts, talents and affinities. One of our students has had her artwork reproduced on a flag to fly over the Smithsonian, another student has been selected to do voice overs in a featured movie production. We have students who are professional models and some who run their own concession booth at the NRG stadium. One of our students is responsibile for digitizing files at one of the large attorney firms in Houston, and we also have a few gifted photographers and videographers. The students' talents are wide and diverse, and we encourage them to use them to the best of their abilities. The staff is a dedicated group of educators who are passionate about what they do and how they do it.
The funds raised go towards program support and the tuition assistance fund which allows families who cannot afford the tuition to attend Monarch and receive the education and support their students needs. Thank you for your consideration to support Monarch School and Institute to help us continue to Trasnform Lives.
