When you connect to the silence within you, that is when you can make sense of the disturbance going on around you.
-Stephen Richards
Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.
- Tori Amos
Love is the great miracle cure. Loving ourselves works miracles in our lives.
-Louise L. Hay

Home

At Spring Ridge Academy, we combine a clinically sophisticated therapeutic approach with a rigorous college prep curriculum and structured community life to tend to all realms of the student: emotional, relational, spiritual, intellectual, and physical. The SRA environment is built on a foundation of learning and connection, allowing us to work effectively with our students and their families while attending to the underlying issues that create a complex presentation of behaviors and needs.

Academics

Our academic program is structured as a traditional college preparatory school that promotes individual accountability, creativity and integrity.
Therapy

We offer an integrated therapeutic approach that utilizes many techniques to address individual and family issues.
Culture

SRA provides the opportunity for each student to explore and excel in areas of interest and talent in a therapeutic environment.

Not only did Spring Ridge Academy help my daughter rediscover herself, they engaged and challenged our whole family to participate, learn and grow alongside her. That has been the most significant experience of SRA; the family involvement.

Jennifer – SRA Parent

Why Spring Ridge

Spring Ridge Academy was created as a therapeutic boarding school for teenage women that combines sophisticated individual therapy, comprehensive family systems therapy, college prep education, individual and family workshops, and the development of social, occupational, and life skills. Students and their families are encouraged to challenge patterns of believing, feeling and behaving that do not work in life, and to actualize new patterns that effect a more fulfilling, proactive, and mindful life.

Since the founding in January of 1997, Spring Ridge has been dedicated to integrating new, evidence-based protocols in all areas: therapy, family systems, education, positive peer culture, and our workshop series. Our focus on young women’s needs enables our students to address their issues without the distraction of the opposite sex. Being an owner-operated program also allows the freedom to make change occur in alignment with the on-going needs of the students and their families.

What makes Spring Ridge Academy different from other Therapeutic Boarding Schools is the comprehensive approach to the therapeutic, academic, social and physical needs of each student and family. Through the utilization of a thorough, multi-faceted therapeutic program, a fully accredited and challenging college preparatory education and a supportive peer culture, we have created a community that fosters connection and growth.

GLITTER DANCERMegan’s Story

Every day of the past 16 months, I’ve been striving to live a meaningful life. At times I’ve doubted myself, but I’ve never lost sight of that light shining bright somewhere in the distance. As I embarked on my journey, that light came closer and closer into my reach and began to shine brighter. As I took in the wisdom of others, accepted love and friendship, realized I don’t need to be perfect, and discovered who I am—a powerful and free young woman who trusts herself, I made my way to that radiating light and became it.

Mom, thank you for your unconditional love. We’ve developed such a strong relationship and I am so proud of how far you’ve come as well. Dad, Thank you for your constant encouragement and believing in me even when I don’t believe in myself. Bridget, you are an amazing sister and I’m so lucky to have you in my life. Thanks for being there for me. I love you all so much.

Jeannie, I am thankful everyday that you’ve created this place for second chances. Thank you for helping reignite my passion for dance. Everyone here has brought a piece of that light into my life. Now even in the darkest of moments, I can look up and see that light twinkling in the distance know that it will guide me home to myself.

CAN’T INTO CANSCaroline’s Story

I’d like to start off today’s celebration by posing a question ... What is education? Is it having a 4.0 GPA in high school? Is it getting a college degree from an Ivy League school? Or is it becoming a brain surgeon?

In today’s world, most people would agree that these notions are considered to be a top education. However, I believe that education is so much more than this. Yes, going to school is very important, but being educated doesn’t necessarily mean being book smart. It also includes learning outside of the classroom on a regular basis. In my opinion, education is the ability to meet life’s situations. It is making a variety of choices, learning from your mistakes, and then making a better decision in the future. Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or self-confidence.

A wise man once said, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” This is what Spring Ridge Academy strives to teach us every day. Not only are we given a quality education .. academically with passionate and driven teachers, we are also given an opportunity to look at ourselves on a deeper level and learn from what is not working in our lives. So, it is with passion, courage, and a strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world.

State of CrisisLuna’s Story

When I was around the age of 17 I was in a state of crisis. I isolated myself from the world, secluded from my parents, my friends and even myself. I was in my second semester of my junior year of high school when, out of severe concern, my parents decided to send me to Spring Ridge Academy. At first I was apprehensive toward their decision to send me away because I realized I had no control over their decision. After the first few days my apprehension turned to anger. I felt abandoned and even more alone than I was at home.

After two months of being at SRA I had to decide if I wanted to continue a path of, ultimately, self-destruction and misery or change my perception of life and actively seek some sort of happiness for myself. In a state of desperation, I decided I wanted to change.

I learned how to properly and effectively deal with my emotions, actively make decisions for myself, live in the moment, and have faith in myself and others. I spent more than a year at SRA where I practiced these lessons every day and, by the end of my time in boarding school I was a new person. I embodied more self empowerment, I enjoyed my life, and I developed a much better sense of who I was individually, and who I wanted to be in the future.

The PhoenixDaria's Song

Dear Stranger: You don't know much about me.
Hey, I don't know much about you.
But please understand that I don't care what you've done.
Dear Stranger, I care for you.

I want you to know that there are people
You're among the human race.
So how could a person like you be alone?
Well, I know, 'cause been in your place.

I want you to know a thing or two though
From the bottom of my heart.
The world has been a forgiving place
So you can be forgiven too.

Sometimes the world gives you lemons
That you've got to crush on your hands
And from destruction comes the lemonade
That makes me want to dance.

Oh stranger we've got cuts and bruises
All hold lemons in our hands
You know the hardest thing you'll ever do
Is feel that burning lemon juice.

Growth through ConnectionJess's Story

I arrived at Spring Ridge Academy at 17, very much stuck inside the mind of a younger version of myself. I was lost, disconnected from the world, filled with self-hatred, and ready to give up. Underneath, I was drowning in anger, fear, and shame. The relationship with myself mirrored my relationships with others. I felt hatred and disgust towards my mother for so long that I could not remember loving her. I never grieved over my father's death, and I looked to boys to fill my emptiness.

Today, I say SRA is where I grew up. It gave me a safe place to open up and learn to understand and feel my emotions. It was the hardest time of my life, and by far the most rewarding. I believe I would not be here today without this opportunity. I came to learn who I was beneath my emotions and life experiences. I uncovered love for myself that I had lost early in my childhood; I felt self-confident and whole for the first time.

I look forward to the challenges ahead, and continuing to have the courage to embrace new opportunities that come my way.

WHO AM I?Ali’s Story

Once upon a time, there was a curious little girl. This magical child saw herself as special and loved herself. As she grew older, that confidence and spontaneity disappeared. This magical child no longer felt good enough or worthy. The next few years became The Dark Years. The sparkle in her eyes quickly faded, as she became bound by the chains of pain and fear. 18 months ago, this child was given the best gift of all - - a second chance to discover her magic.

After months of resisting and not trusting, this magical child began to break through the chains that held her as a prisoner to the past. The sparkle returned to her eyes when she discovered that she was a beautiful, resilient, connected young woman who is free to live. She always had been, but now she believed it. I am this magical child and I am finally truly living for the first time.

Mom and Dad; I know this process has been difficult. Thank you for always loving me and never giving up.

Thank you to everyone else here who has helped me find my sparkle. You have forever changed my life.

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