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Admissions Director: Beth Embry
E-mail: beth@shepherdshillacademy.org
Executive Director: Trace Embry
Academic Director: Steve Schyck
Clinical Director: Dan Godfrey
Milieu Director: Joshua Wallace
Year Founded: 2001
Category: Therapeutic Boarding School
Optimum Size: 36 Max Capacity
28 Average in a year
Annual number of students: 42 Rolling Average
Average Length of Stay: Approximately one year.
Admissions Policy:
Enrolls students Year-Round. Families must complete the enrollment application and submit both a recent psychological evaluation (within the last 12 months) and school transcripts, as well as an updated IEP if applicable. Once documents are received, acceptance can be determined within 24-48 hours.
Appropriate Student/ Resident:
Shepherds Hill Academy works specifically with teens who have gotten off track in life, mainly due to external influences or trauma. Common diagnoses include: Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, ADD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Developmental Trauma Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Aspergers, Anxiety Disorders, and/or Bipolar Disorders. Students also often struggle with Anger and Rebellion, running away, loss of educational status or motivation, school expulsion or dropping grades, adoption issues and or other behavioral and emotional disorders that are causing problems for the teen's future. SHA will not accept students who are known Sexual Predators, nor those known as violent aggressors, animal abusers and or asonists.
Gender: Male/ Female (Separated) - 50% Male; 50% Female
Age Range: 12-17
Program Description: Shepherds Hill Academy has two basic components, a Therapeutic Wilderness Program, and the Next Step Program. During the Therapeutic Wilderness Program, teens reside in one of two outdoor therapeutic environments (one for teenage boys and one for teenage girls), as well as attend school in segregated classrooms. During the weekdays, all students attend school accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission, following the GA Department of Education Curriculum. On Weekends and after school, students live in outdoor cabins. This offers students the opportunity to experience an unplugged environment at our outdoor wilderness campus.
In each of the specific programs, girls tend to the campus gardens, animals and other projects. Boys tend to the outdoor wilderness campus cabins and other projects. The unique therapeutic structure of Shepherds Hill Academy consistently provides a safe, loving environment for change and healing. Each staff member models the love of Christ, provides adequate teachable moments in life’s lessons, implements accountability measures to enhance character development and ensures your child succeeds in meeting their therapeutic goals.
After nine-ten months, students can graduate to the Next Step Program. The Next Step Program provides a safe and structured living environment in modern houses located on our main campus. Upon transitioning to the Next Step Program, the students move out of the wilderness-like environment of the Outdoor Therapeutic Program and into a gender specific house on campus. Next Step is a program designed to challenge students to build on the character they developed from their outdoor experience. Students are allowed more individual freedom and opportunities to make choices between right and wrong. They also have the opportunity to gain back certain privileges they did not enjoy in the outdoor program, such as TV, video games, and other activities and responsibilities common to life at home. It is a transition period designed to prepare students for an environment similar to home and the real world. In addition, the students learn domestic responsibilities and have a chance to explore career options.
Other opportunities available for students may include: On-Campus Jobs and a variety of therapy, weekly church attendance, and off-campus field trips.
Staff to Student Ratio: SHA follows a 5:1 student to staff ratio 24/7.
Clinical Description: Shepherds Hill Academy employs a variety of therapeutic approaches to counseling, mentoring, and healing. Students participate in daily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Weekly Equine Relationship therapy (ERT), Weekly One-On-One Therapy sessions, and weekly Group Therapy sessions. They also offers monthly Parent Workshops, Semi Annual Parent Weekend Conferences, and Monthly Parent Visits. Additional therapeutic sessions with psychologist are provided when needed.
The Equine Therapy Program at Shepherds Hill Academy is the home of the therapeutic horses. Your teenager will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a horse they select during this therapy. Our equine program works with O.K. Corral Series certified therapists to provide a safe and structured experience that helps teens work toward their therapeutic goals. Each week your teenager will participate in individual and group therapy involving their respective horses. These exercises and experiences are designed to offer therapeutic healing and character development.
Psychotropic Medications Allowed?: Yes
Policy: We are able to meet the family’s need by providing a well trained team in medication administration. Our daily routine provides three dedicated opportunities for students to take their prescribed medication. SHA follows the doctors prescription of any psychotropic medications. SHA works directly with a psychologist to assist the student in any new med regimen.
Academic Description:
Shepherds Hill Academy offers a private academy that is fully accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission and meets the course requirements for the Georgia Department of Education Curriculum. The Principal and Education Team give each child individualized attention and works with them to create a class schedule customized to meet their specific academic needs. All of the teachers at SHA are state certified and board approved. SHA offers SAT and ACT preparation and testing, advanced placement and college preparation courses, and unique extra-curricular activities. Additional curricular options are available online through Georgia Virtual Program. SHA also offers small class sizes that are personalized, offering students a better learning environment. Because of small class sizes, SHA is better able to accommodate a variety of IEP adjustments.
Facilities Description:
The Shepherds Hill is located on a beautiful property in Martin, GA, approximately 85 miles northeast of Atlanta. The wilderness campus consists of simple cabins and cook shelters. Main campus consists of many components. There are administrative offices, fully functional class rooms meeting GA classroom standards, shower house available 24/7 for all hygienic needs, a laundry facility for daily clothes washing, the cafeteria for daily meals and requirements, Chapel for weekly speakers, an equine barn and two arenas, a separate animal barn and garden, activity area with a pool, pavilion, volley ball, basketball court, weight room, a media center/library for student study, Next Step Housing, Staff Housing, a Disc Golf Course and the work and automotive shop.
Family Involvement: Parents participate in workshops and visit on a monthly basis. Semi Annually, parents participate in a Conference Weekend, (one includes all siblings as well). Shepherd's Hill families participate weekly in Family Therapy sessions after six months, and family coaching from the beginning. Families also have access to Program Managers, Therapists, and Administration Staff as needed.
Follow Up Programming:
Shepherds Hill offers 30 days of free access to Therapist for individual student's transistion. The Principal helps with College Applications and Family Coaching is offered at a discounted price. Follow up surveys and questionnaires are sent through our alumni development team. Families also receive access to "License to Parent" with Trace Embry, radio program and blogs.
Outcome Studies: None
Spiritual Development: Students attend church once a week and participate in Biblical studies. Morning and evening devotions are offered and faith-based guest speakers come weekly.
Summer/ Adjunct Program: Shepherds Hill Academy is year round. Students attend summer school with extra-curricular and elective courses, and participate in Field Trips off-campus.
Professional Affiliations:
- NATSAP - National Association of Therapeutic Schools & Programs
- AACC - American Association of Christian Counselors
- AACS - American Association of Christian Schools
- GACS - Georgia Association of Christian Schools
Accreditation, Licensure, Approved:- Georgia Department of Human Resources License for Outdoor Child Care Program (OCCP)
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Georgia Accrediting Commission Academic License
Payment Category: Private pay, Insurance is accepted, Scholarships are occasionally offered as available.
For more information about Shepherds Hill Academy, visit www.shepherdshillacademy.org.
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