Treatment Philosophy
Maybe your daughter isn’t working to her academic potential. Maybe she’s refusing to go to school altogether. She may be defiant or silent, exhibit anger or inappropriate passivity. She may have friends who bring her down or no friends at all. No matter how bad it is or how bad it’s been, we want you to know: it can be so much better. In fact, after an average stay, 85% of our students move successfully back into their homes, their schools and their communities. There’s a reason.
How We Think
There’s no such thing as a bad child (SM). This key phrase, coined by our founder, Floyd Starr nearly a century ago, is the inspiration behind everything we do. Our non-profit, private referral school and treatment program for girls 12-18 is built on the proven tenets of Starr Commonwealth, one of the oldest and most respected children’s organizations in the country.
Healing without Hurting
You may have come across schools that rely on point systems that punish and reward to “fix” behavior or programs based on the “tear them down to build them up” approach. We believe that a treatment program built on fear only compounds problems. At Montcalm, there are no threatening bars on the windows. There are no grim “time out” rooms. We treat kids with dignity, respect and a confidence that they will rise to meet our expectations.
Look for What’s Possible
Every child has strengths. They may be hidden behind oppositional behaviors. They may be hidden in them. At Montcalm, we believe when you look for something positive, you’ll find it. The industry term for this approach is “strength-based” and it’s grounded in the theory that every child is good at something, even if it’s hard to see.
Power of the Peer Group
Nobody has the right to hurt and everybody has the responsibility to help. There’s a culture of caring at Montcalm and you’ll see it everywhere. There is no ganging up here or deliberate provoking to get a reaction. This is a safe, nurturing environment where a girl can let her guard down and learn to trust.
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. It’s that “missing piece” that solidifies a strong and healthy self-concept. At Montcalm, students are not only encouraged and guided to help other group members in daily activities, but to join together as a group to help people in their communities.
Embracing Family
We believe that any therapeutic treatment program for youth that doesn’t include the family is missing one of the most critical components. That’s why frequent parent contact - including campus visits, home visits when appropriate, phone calls, letters, e-mails, even video-conferencing – is not only welcomed but encouraged.