Mrs. Julie Galles and Mx. Megan Galles are experienced educators and members of the LGBTQ community themselves. Watching some students and families struggle to find safe, affirming spaces with the flexibility and support children need for their gender and sexuality journeys inspired them to envision Chrysalis Academy. Julie taught middle school for fifteen years before moving into school administration for another fifteen, including serving as a Head of School for the past nine years. Megan has taught nearly all grades from K-12th, specializing in students who learn differently and serving in schools for students with language-based learning differences. 

Independent (private) schools have the most autonomy over their program, including curriculum, assessments, pacing, and so forth. Public schools are required to follow state-mandated curricula and yearly standardized testing protocols, which we realize may not be the best fit for our students. Although charter schools have additional leeway in some areas, they are still publicly funded and subject to certain state-mandated criteria. In addition, public school funding is tied to legislation that can change, and given the current socio-political climate that is often unfriendly to LBGTQ+ and trans/gender expansive people, we do not want to be subject to shifting legislation. At Chrysalis Academy, we can use our decades of experience working with students to design the program, assessment methods, and pacing that is right for our students.

We are co-located with another school in Studio City, CA, leasing space from them. We have our own classroom, our own dedicated all-gender bathroom, and our own entrance. Chrysalis students will have access to facilities such as a playing field, gym, and climbing dome through our host school. The safety and comfort of our families is of utmost importance to us, so at the moment, we are only sharing the exact location with people who reach out to us with admissions or partnership inquiries. 

We are an intentionally small school in order to deeply know and support our students. While final class and school size will be determined by interest and need, we anticipate our pioneer cohort of 5th-8th graders may be between 4 and 8 students. In order to be responsive to mid-year needs of families, Chrysalis will have rolling admissions and may add students throughout the year.

As an independent school, the cost of running the school will be covered by tuition and philanthropic giving. Tuition for the 2025-26 school year is $38,500. While we are working to secure funding that will allow us to offer tuition assistance and increase access to Chrysalis for a wide range of families, at the moment, financial assistance is very limited. 

Each student is unique and may desire or need different options as they contemplate high school. We will work with each family to explore the best options for the student, leveraging our connections with other independent schools, as well as supporting transition to public schools.

In addition to the mission and vision driving an affirming and supportive atmosphere, the curriculum will center and celebrate the LGBTQ+ experience. For instance, LGBTQ history will be embedded into the social studies program, literature in the English Language Arts program will feature LGBTQ characters, and so forth.  Social emotional learning and support will be also be embedded into the program and the schedule will include time for identity exploration and development.

Yes! However, all students must recognize that programming will center the queer experience.