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Added by Jopie, at 17 May 2014
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7 Reviews
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10 February 2018
This is the most caring group of people. Always talking the students through their issues. This group of people are TRULY chosen for this type of work. The relationships they build with the students are so life changing to the kids. The therapist, mentors, and staff have all been focused on loving our son and bringing him back to healthy living. This place is saving our son's life.
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24 May 2017
I am a former student of Shelter Wood Academy, i have very very , mixed feelings about everything there. I was a resident for 5 months of my life, and i am only 15 years old, this being said I will only speak honestly.
I would first like to point out that unless your kid/young adult is willing to change and willing to be loved, that Shelter Wood is not the place for them. the staff is not always around when needed, but when they are they are kind and loving, I personally bonded with a few bigs and can say this, that they dont make enough money for what they do. (of course they arent in it for the money)
Secondly i want to state that SW is not a very healthy environment, there are a lot of different personalities, problems, and people forced together and all living together, and it is hard. Your kid is not always going to receive the top notch care that the website states they will. A lot of vulgarities, bullying, and physicality, if you're kid has any unarmored or vulnerable spots in life those vulnerabilities will be attacked in every way shape or form. I know this to be true because I did it to other residents and other residents did it to me. There are lots of clashing of ideas and a lot of unhealthy verbal confrontations. Your kid will not always be safe either, during my time at Shelter Wood they were severely understaffed, and all staff there was overworked. I was in more than one physical altercation and these just accounts for the fraction of them that happen. They fired 2 bigs, 2 bigs had to leave, 1 quit, and 2 graduated, during all of this only 3 were hired, and the month of may 4 more are graduating, this left only 6-7 bigs working at one time while 2 were sleeping for night watch, this caused there to be a window of opportunity for more physical interactions, because a person cant be 2 places at once.
The food, apparently the food is a big deal to everyone, Alli and Teresa do a great job of cooking good balance meals, however, the food is not perfect there are days where the food is delicious and amazing, and days were it is not a favorite by anyone, you will be served 3 meals a day, your kids dietary needs will be met, (vegan, vegetarian, dairy/ gluten free).
Programs inside of SW include chapel every Friday after breakfast, bible studies Tuesday for the boys and Wednesday for the girls. There is a full basketball court with lots of gym equipment, a full work out room, and when your kid earn the ability to leave property there is rock climbing and BSF (gym). There is nothing bad to say about the music program it is great, Kyle does an amazing job. Recently Jim Subers stopped running the bible studies and Norman, Robby, and Tom took over. Here is what i say about bible studies, the website states that your child will not be forced to attend the bible study, but you are bribed to go, attending bible study will award you with a full dinner (every tuesday night and it is a very delicious one always) and seconds on that meal, you will get dessert, if you do not attend you will must attend a study hall, and will be fed at the house, a smaller portion, extras from what bible study attenders didnt eat, and no dessert. Church is also something that is not mandatory but is forced upon the students, at this point i will state that i am a Christian, so this is not biased at all.
PART 1response / report this review -
14 February 2017
Helped me get my life back on track.
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31 July 2016
I attended Shelterwood for about 10 months, and i can say that what they do when they 'break you down' is put you in a really depressive state and discipline you for every tiny thing that goes wrong. When it was time for me to leave, I didnt have enough room to put all of my personal and valuable belongings in my suitcase and the staff promised to have it shipped to me. The whole summer has gone by, and every week when i call them they assure me that it is being taken care of, along with some library books that they told me they would return. Not only did Shelterwood donate all of my personal belongings to the goodwill (all of my clothes, pictures, letters, expensive toiletries etc.) but they 'lost' my library books, and I am now in national collections for $284. If you want to make your child depressed, and throw away money this is the place.
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06 June 2016
I was a student at Shelterwood Academy for about 10 months, and it was one of the best things that could have happened. I went to a non-christian wilderness program before heading to Shelterwood, and coming to shelterwood was most definitely a lot better than going strait home. The bigs (staff) at shelterwood are very kind and loving and are truly invested in every singe kid. I have never seen a big lose their temper with a student I have only witnessed grace and redemption. Lots of the students I would say are not exactly on the page with God that their parents want them to be on, but shelterwood offers an environment where the gospel is shown through love and kindness. Every kid is taken to church Sunday mornings, and Jim, the headmaster offers a Bible study for all the guys each week. The girls are also offered a Bible study by one of the Girl big sisters. There are lots of activities to do, such as, long boarding, football, running, etc. There is an awesome music program that was started recently which gives students the opportunity to lead chapel worship Friday mornings for chapel (I took part in that). The food at shelterwood is nutritious and tasty! There is a large variety offered throughout the week. Kids are allowed to take either the main dish, or a PB&J. I was at shelterwood because of numerous things, but some of the bigs things were depression, and adoption related issues. My therapist was very patient, and always encouraged me and by the end of my time, I didn't see him as a therapist, but as a friend. On the weekends, kids can go out in groups with a big brother or sister and go to fast food places and get whatever. The teachers at shelterwood are AMAZING. There is so so much compassion and grace shown by every teacher. Being a teacher at shelterwood is not an easy job, and it is very clear that the teachers are here to pour into the kids, not to be "hard to deal with teachers". They are aware that the kids are struggling and do not expect too much, but can see every kids potential and encourage them and push them to be the best they can be. To be blunt school at shelterwood is very easy compared to "regular school". It is a GREAT opportunity to excel through the year, if attending shelterwood throughout the school year. Shelterwood was a very positive experience for me, and I will always be grateful for it. I had the opportunity to regain a relationship with my family, and also fly home every month to visit. It was truly a blessing to have the opportunity to attend.
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07 July 2014
Our daughter attended Shelterwood as a 15 year old and it changed our lives forever. Our ‘rebellious’ teen was really a hurting, lost little girl who needed someone (besides us) to show her that she is something special- a daughter of The King who is worth more than rubies! The Staff at Shelterwood and our counselor, Jeremy did just that. We just celebrated her 18th birthday and let me tell you, she is an amazing young woman! She is on-track, growing and reaching for her future with hope and confidence, deepening her relationship with her Heavenly Father.
Shelterwood staff, from the House Directors to the school faculty, from the amazing counselors to the grounds keepers, love the Lord and love to help teens thrive and that’s just what they did for us! Our family has found hope and peace (as much as a family of 6 can find!) after a very turbulent time and are happy to recommend Shelterwood as a beacon of hope for your family as well.
Blessings!
Emma’s Mom and Dadresponse / report this review -
24 May 2014
Shelterwood keeps getting better. They are constantly looking for ways to improve their program and their campus and staff are tops. This is one program for troubled teens that doesn't get enough attention on a national scale. They should be in every state! I applaud their efforts and the excellence that they personify in everything they do. You can trust your teen to this program. They could easily charge twice as much as they do now, compared to what other similar programs charge and for far less services than Shelterwood offers.
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