2020 began Spring Ridge Academy's (AZ) 23rd of service as a female and family-owned and licensed residential treatment center program, founded by Jean Courtney, with a mission and philosophy creating an environment where young women and families can learn, heal, grow, and connect. Spring Ridge's model uses six integrated areas that meet the needs of young women (ages 13 -17): emotional, academic, physical, community, family and spiritual.
"Our goal to heal and assist families has been the same for 23 years. The treatment program's operation, and intervention types have changed," said Suzie Courtney, M.Ed. Owner and Executive Director. "We ask families and girls to change and therefore, we have to, also. The mission and philosophy as the constant guide delivering enriching life skills and experiences and the academic and clinical services have and will continue to evolve. Continuing to integrate current evidence-based clinical modalities including somatic based treatment, brain based modalities like EMDR will always change to ensure that quality of treatment is high enough to meet the needs of the clients."
"The academic program has always been a key piece of the treatment appoach and what has kept me here for 17 years is the connection and relationship with the students and families," said Justin Zych, MEd. The school has been accredited for decades now and always allows for differentiated classroom learning, depending on the needs of the clients in the college prep academics. Over 1000 students have enrolled in Spring Ridge since its founding, allowing for traditions' to permeate and envelope the school. The graduates leave a piece of their healthy identity, revealing their confidence and capability, as they continue their journey and take age-appropriate risks. (For example, in the 'Grad Painting", each girl creates a painting to honor their work and provides a gift for the current girls attending the treatment program.) Fine arts has always been key to the programming and expressive arts programming continue to expanded over time.
Susan Dougherty, Residential Director, said, "What has kept me at Spring Ridge Academy for 23 years is that the staff and training are valued equally with the academic and clinical departments. It is a true community of colleagues." Spring Ridge employees serve as the most valued asset key to the ability to deliver top-notch services. In testamonial to the value students create at Spring Ridge, three current employees of Spring Ridge are former participants at Spring Ridge Academy.
Graduates and families continue to have a lasting connection to the treatment program. Traditions of lasting community and giving back are key to Spring Ridge Academy's 23 years of operation. "Three times a year alumni families come back to assist in "Peer Support Groups" at Parent Workshops and this tradition began within a year of of the schools founding," said Courtney.
About Spring Ridge Academy
Spring Ridge Academy, located 1.5 hours outside Phoenix, Arizona serves young women ages 13-17. Founded in 1997 as a female and family-owned Residential Treatment Center. It is licensed by the State of Arizona. The academic program/school is accredited by AdvancED. Utilizing evidence-based clinical modalities with traditional regorous college prep curriculum, with fine and expressive arts and sports teams that allow for pieces of the students: emotional, relational, spiritual, intellectual, and physical to grow in a relationship based setting.