Montcalm School Graduates 14 Students

Graduating from high school is a monumental occasion for any young person. It is the culmination of many years of hard work, dedication and a commitment to securing a better future.

For the students of Montcalm School, a program of Starr Commonwealth, graduation means even more. On Saturday, June 16, 14 students realized their dream of obtaining a high school diploma; each one took a different path to get here.

Many youth come to Montcalm having experienced trauma, behavior problems and learning or social difficulties. Parents or caregivers often have nowhere to turn before sending their children to Montcalm, but once students get to the school, the transformations that take place can be substantial.

"We are very proud of our son for achieving this important milestone," said Doug Clark, a parent of a graduate. "Montcalm has given him a safe environment to spread his wings as he transitions into adulthood. We now have the peace of mind that he can live and thrive independently. It's comforting to know that he has been challenged yet always knew the staff had his best interest at heart."

With the strength-based, resilience-focused peer group empowerment model pioneered by Starr Commonwealth ingrained in both the therapeutic and academic aspects of Montcalm, students are able to take significant strides in all areas of their lives. This ultimately results in graduation for many, something that may have seemed impossible before coming to Montcalm.

This year, Montcalm School is fortunate to have 14 amazing graduates, including 11 boys and three girls.

Many are attending college, some of which include Bellevue College, Kentucky Community College, San Francisco City College, South Florida Community College, Washtenaw Community College and Western Kentucky University. Others are in the midst of making their post-secondary decisions.

Although many Montcalm parents see the improvement their children have made immediately, sometimes it takes longer for students to realize the positive changes they have worked so hard for. Once this reflection occurs, youth take pride in their accomplishments.

"I will be attending Bellevue College in Washington and will eventually move on," one graduate said. "This day is important to me because despite how hard school was, I fought and made it possible!"

Other students feel that many people in their lives have helped make the possibility of graduation a reality.

"Thank you to everyone who has helped me achieve my goals," another graduate said. "I couldn't have done it without my family, friends or the staff at Montcalm."

Montcalm School is a private, therapeutic treatment and educational program offering a variety of options for families with troubled teens and young adults. Montcalm specializes in youth with Autistic Spectrum Disorders such as Asperger's Syndrome and other Pervasive Development Disorders.