LEARN Academy Partners with Arizona-Based Chrysalis Academy

– Together, they work with schools and school districts to provide special education and academic intervention services to students with social, emotional and behavioral challenges –      

Baltimore, MD (April 26, 2021) – LEARN Academy, a division of LEARN Behavioral, which provides schools and school districts with customizable solutions across the continuum of special education and academic intervention needs, announced the acquisition of Chrysalis Academy—an Arizona Department of Education-approved private day school for children with autism and related disorders, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Chrysalis Academy also includes Play ABA, which provides an array of services to children and young adults with autism and other disabilities.

Founded in 2002, Chrysalis Academy is contracted to provide educational services to more than 12 school districts in Arizona. While Chrysalis Academy will continue to operate under its current brand, LEARN Academy has secured the necessary licensure from the Arizona Department of Education. 

“LEARN Academy values what we value, including achieving measurable progress for students with social, emotional and behavioral challenges,” said Patty McCarthy, Co-Founder of Chrysalis Academy. “Like us, their team consists of professionals with decades of experience building and implementing programs that enable students to make important academic gains and behavioral improvements.”

“They also value their employees,” said Tara Rick, Co-Founder of Chrysalis Academy. “LEARN Academy provides ongoing professional development and mentoring to their clinical staff, as well as significant career growth potential.”

Together, LEARN Academy and Chrysalis Academy now provide an extended network of clinicians and practitioners trained in the most recent advances in evidence-based teaching and learning practices. By providing quality care and treatment for individuals with developmental disabilities, they are advancing treatment outcomes and improving the quality of life and functional independence for students.  

“Chrysalis Academy and LEARN Academy are an ideal match,” said Michael Maloney, Founder and CEO of LEARN Academy. “We both bring a broad range of special education expertise, evidence-based practices and cost-effective programs directly to students.”

“We devise workable, effective solutions to some of the most pressing problems districts and schools confront today,” said Don Scheeler, President of LEARN Academy. “By partnering with LEARN Academy, districts and schools greatly reduce their administrative workload and can devote more time to the needs of their students, families and educators.”

With the acquisition, which was completed on December 31, 2020, Chrysalis Academy joins

Beach Cities Learning, Desert Choice Schools, Learn It Academic Services and Light Street Special Education Solutions as part LEARN Academy’s network of schools.

About LEARN Academy

LEARN Academy provides schools and school districts with a full suite of customizable solutions across the continuum of special education and academic intervention needs. We offer fully onsite programs at your facility, bringing our broad range of special education expertise, evidence-based practices and cost-effective programs directly to your students. We also offer virtual therapy and academic intervention services, using proven strategies and methods for working with students through online platforms.

LEARN Academy serves all students who need special education or academic services. Our team includes specialists in school-based and online therapy services, educational professionals with expertise in academic interventions for struggling students and professionals with decades of experience building and implementing programs for students with challenging social/emotional and behavioral needs.

LEARN Academy is part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization that uses evidence-based therapies to nurture potential in children with autism and other special needs. Both LEARN Academy and LEARN Behavioral are Gryphon Investors companies.

About Gryphon Investors

Based in San Francisco, Gryphon Investors (www.gryphoninvestors.com) is a leading private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively enhancing middle-market companies in partnership with experienced management. The firm has managed over $5.0 billion of equity investments and capital since 1997. Gryphon targets making equity investments of $50 million to $300 million in portfolio companies with enterprise values ranging from approximately $100 million to $600 million. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form strong partnerships with owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon’s capital, specialized professional resources, and operational expertise.

About Chrysalis Academy

Chrysalis Academy is an Arizona Department of Education-approved private day school for children with autism and related disorders based in south Scottsdale, Arizona. Founded in 2002, Chrysalis Academy is contracted to provide educational services to more than 12 school districts in the state.