Monarch School, Montana Explained

Motto:education for life
Address:16 Aspen Lane
City:Heron
State:Montana
Zipcode:59844
Country:United States
Established:2000
Founder:Patrick McKenna
Closed:2017
Ceeb:270464[1]
Age Range:15 to 17

Monarch School was a year round, co-ed[2] therapeutic boarding school located in Heron, Montana. It closed in September 2017, with its owners citing unsustainable student enrollment as the primary reason.

History

Monarch School, INC was incorporated in Idaho[3] by founder Patrick McKenna[4] in September 2000. According to the mission statement, "The Monarch School exists to provide young adults with the foundation of knowledge and self-awareness to achieve their dreams as healthy human beings".[5]

As the school did not have an official campus when it opened, McKenna ran the school out of his Sandpoint home.[6] [7] In late 2001, students moved from the Mckenna residence onto the Monarch campus in Heron, Montana. The campus comprised several small dormitories in separate houses, classroom buildings, and arts center, a theater building, administrative and dining facility, horse barn and riding hall, chicken coop, greenhouse, and extensive grounds. The curriculum was divided into periods of academic studies, practical skills development (cooking, forestry, gardening, animal care, etc.), chores, and recreation. Personal electronics were not allowed, although students used computers for some of their academic work. Face to face interaction, reading, and physical activity were encouraged instead.

In 2014, a student tried to commit suicide.[8] The Monarch School has been accused of abuse and neglect by former students, including Paris Hilton, and is considered to be reflective of the troubled teen industry.[9] [10] A TrueAnon series on the history of Synanon recounted Brace Belden's experiences at the Monarch School and described Patrick McKenna as a disciple of Synanon, with the school mimicking CEDU's practices. After its closure, the school also settled lawsuits from parents that claimed malpractice, fraud, and breach of contract.[11]

Admissions

Monarch School offered year-round enrollment, and cost of tuition was a "flat monthly tuition rate of $7000." Partial financial aid was granted in many cases.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ceeb Lookup Master List . 2 January 2023.
  2. Web site: Monarch School, Education for life . 2001-07-22 . 2016-03-15 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20010722094703/http://www.monarchschool.com/admiss.html . July 22, 2001 .
  3. Web site: Articles Of Incorporation of Monarch School, INC. September 12, 2000. Idaho Secretary of State. Idaho Secretary of State. March 13, 2016.
  4. Web site: Message From Founder - Monarch School . dead . McKenna . Patrick . Monarch School . https://web.archive.org/web/20160319021642/http://monarchschool.com/overview/message-from-founder/ . 2016-03-19 . 2021-06-16 . Like many of our students here at Monarch School, I struggled adjusting to life as a teenager .
  5. Web site: Welcome to The Monarch School in Sagle, Idaho . 2001-07-28 . 2016-03-15 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20010728130739/http://www.monarchschool.com/index.html . July 28, 2001 .
  6. Web site: Monarch School, Education for life . 2001-08-13 . 2016-03-15 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20010813055300/http://www.monarchschool.com/setting.html . August 13, 2001 .
  7. Web site: KINNAIRD . KEITH . 2017-09-23 . Monarch School suddenly closes . 2024-02-16 . Bonner County Daily Bee . en.
  8. Web site: lucy.tompkins@gmail.com . LUCY TOMPKINS . 2019-01-21 . 'Fox guards henhouse' in Montana programs for troubled teens . 2023-07-25 . The Missoulian . en.
  9. Web site: Schneider . Kate . November 13, 2022 . 'I was screaming': Paris Hilton reveals horrifying teenage terror . 2024-02-16 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.
  10. Web site: Shea . Matt . 2013-05-22 . American Teens Are Being Trapped in Abusive 'Drug Rehab Centres' . 2024-02-16 . Vice . da.
  11. Web site: September 20, 2018 . Owners of defunct Montana boarding school settle lawsuit . 2024-02-16 . Great Falls Tribune . en-US.