Academy at Swift River

We are very happy with the results we have seen in our daughter since she has been at ASR (last March). She is slowly coming into her own with a lot of hard work on her part and with assistance from her Therapist and the staff at ASR. She could not have made this progress at home. We have had all positive experiences with all the staff we have come in contact with. There is plenty of drama (how could there not be with a group of teens?) but the staff work hard at encouraging each student to focus on their own work and not get involved in the drama. The Academy at Swift River have worked with us as a family and our relationships have all changed for the positive. Our daughter's first visit home since going to ASR was a wonderful experience and I attribute that to the support of ASR. If you are looking for a place to drop off your child and expect someone else to Fix Them - this isn't the school for you. Like other things in life, you get what you put in and that means student and parent(s).
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been treated with care and compassion. The school as a whole is involved in the therapeutic and educational growth of every child. I have found that the school is not dogmatic, but rather is constantly looking at ways to improve its programs, insure the continued safety of the students, and provide a sound therapeutic and academic environment. There has not been any significant turnover in the 6 months my son has been there. I have also found that any queries of mine have been addressed in a timely and thoughtful manner. I recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school was transformation for our son. He entered ASR as a belligerent teen involved in substance abuse. Quite frankly, he was out of control- his grades plummeted and his relationship with our family deteriorated to the point where we felt we were in fear of his safety and those around him. After 18 months (which were rough for all of us) he emerged as a wonderful young man. A year later, he is in college, doing well, respectful to us, and hopeful for his future. You must 'go the distance' with this school and follow the program to a T. It works, but you need to do as much work as your child. It is not the type of place where you say "here is my child- he is broken, please fix him." You must be as motivated and diligent in following the guidelines as your child. The downs will be many, and the ups too few. But in the end, the skills and strategies they learn will always be with them
--Submitted by a parent

We brought our son to ASR, broken, and unhappy. We feared for his safety and those around him. Our family life was in shambles. He returned to us, the boy we knew and loved prior to his involvement with substance abuse and new circle of so called friends. He is doing well in college, but most of all, has become a young man of character. ASR is as tough for the parents as it is for the kids, but it works.
--Submitted by a parent

When I came out of wilderness, I had a renewed sense of self, a clear outlook on life and what I wanted for myself. After graduating, I went to ASR. The day to day routine at the Academy was very repetitive - there was little to do on campus. The academic part of the program was a joke. I didn't mind it that, easy A's, but I learned nothing. I never met one kid there who was happy - "okay" was the best anyone could really hope for. Most conversation at ASR was about how much everyone hated their lives, running away, or how much longer until the end of their stay at ASR. The therapeutic part of the program was absolutely a disgrace. At first my therapist seemed very sweet and sympathetic toward me, but after a period of time I began to see through the facade. My therapist was cold and had no compassion for anyone there. If you feel your child needs help you can't offer them at home, ALE is a good option. Many of these kinds of schools are corrupt and mentally abusive, thats something all parents need to know before placing their child in a program. Please do not send your child to the Academy at Swift River - I didn't come out of ASR the same... and I was not changed for the better.
--Submitted by a student

I attended two wilderness programs as well as swift river and would recommend to every parent considering sending your child away to reconsider. These therapuetic programs are extremely flawed and have left me with more problems than I came in with. Dont send your kid
--Submitted by a student

Our son left wilderness needing a structured program. In the three months he has been at ASR, he has made quick and consistent progress. Communication with his therapist is great and she shows a total concern for his well being. The structure he gets is also in his academics. He is also thriving in school and will graduate high school on time. ASR is not for everychild and many do not thrive at ASR because of individual situations. The professional staff at ASR are best to evaluate a child and determine whether or not ASR is a good fit. The strive to make sure all students belong at their school and do not accept a child they feel they can't help. I am glad that ASR was there for my son.
--Submitted by a parent

Our son is a student at Swift River, having attended a wilderness program, ALE, before enrolling. I would strongly recommend both. The wilderness program was an extremely therapeutic experience for my son. He came out centered and positive. The wilderness program is extremely structured. The structure at Swift River is graduated allowing your child to grow. The academics are not AP level, but are clearly college prep. Our local school has assured us that all the accademic credits are transferable. The 24-7 therapeutic support allows continued function in school and activities even during the expected bumps in the road. Our communication with his therapist has been excellent. The year leading up to this had been extremely difficult, echoing a prior post about the impact on the entire family living through a kid in crisis. We feel the school has him back on the road toward college and a rewarding life.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is not structured. The credits do not transfer to any school other than as those such as a gym class or band credits. My son, upon returning to regular highschool, had to repeat junior year while taking senior year. I do not recommend this school to anyone.
--Submitted by a parent

Cannot say enough good things about Academy at Swift River. Brilliant!
--Submitted by a parent