Student Profile
We treat our students as individuals with their own unique histories and struggles, but they do share some common characteristics. Despite their intellectual abilities, most of our students have underachieved in school or have avoided it altogether. Many have a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse—often far more frequently than their parents know. Some have been hospitalized or threatened with incarceration. Some have made suicidal gestures. Others arrive with eating disorders, significant traumas, 
chronic dishonesty, crippling perfectionism, or scars from self-mutilation. All of them have failed to respond to traditional psychotherapeutic and educational approaches. Clinical diagnoses and psychotropic medications have not effectively addressed the underlying issues.
Although they have been behaving badly, our students are not “bad kids.” They are lonely and lost. They are also out of control and out of options. Despite their best intentions, they cannot move towards lives of maturity and self-respect while coping with the temptations and triggers of their home environments. They need the kind of setting that The John Dewey Academy can provide—a caring community that supports growth by providing structure and by setting high expectations for responsible, productive behavior.
The John Dewey Academy is not appropriate for all adolescents. Those who possess less-than-average intelligence, have a severe biologically-based illness, or are psychotic are not considered workable candidates. Since the clinical picture is often ambiguous or controversial, we recommend that you contact us to discuss whether your child may benefit from attending The John Dewey Academy.