MAYER, ARIZONA — Spring Ridge Academy virtually hosted Cognia surveyors last week as part of the reaccreditation cycle and is actively preparing for their initial survey with the Joint Commission in May. The Cognia survey team is recommending Spring Ridge Academy for reaccreditation.

Spring Ridge Academy’s focus on high-quality academics was a founding principle of the school. The school has maintained academic accreditation since its inception. Cognia (formerly AdvancED) performs a survey every 5 years of the educational program based on their best practices standards as part of the reaccreditation process. The standards focus on leadership, learning, and resources. “It’s a no-brainer,” said one of the surveyors at the exit interview. “We are recommending Spring Ridge for reaccreditation.”

Last week, the Cognia surveyors spent two and a half days interviewing Spring Ridge’s 12 faculty members as well as program staff, students, and parents. The surveyors “appreciated everyone’s candor and openness as we interviewed the various stakeholder groups.” They also reviewed the school’s curriculum and policies and procedures to determine if Spring Ridge’s academic program met the standards for reaccreditation. “We appreciate Cognia’s willingness to provide us with objective feedback about our academic program, both in what we do well and in areas where we can improve,” said Justin Zych, principal.

A strength the surveyors observed was that “Spring Ridge Academy is committed to providing wrap-around services that meet the academic, social and emotional needs of the students.” These wrap-around services are created through an integrated program and small treatment teams that include clinical, academic, and residential staff.

This month, Spring Ridge will host the Joint Commission for a four-day initial survey to accredit the residential and outpatient behavioral health programs. Spring Ridge had planned the initial survey to occur in the summer of 2020 but was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions. “Spring Ridge Academy believes in providing high-quality programming that provides a safe space for young people to learn, heal, and grow. Our partnership with the Joint Commission provides an outside point of view and critical feedback that ensures we are living up to our mission and vision,” said Dr. Erin Smith, Director of Operational Excellence.

About Spring Ridge Academy

Founded in 1997 as a female and family-owned Residential Treatment Center and located 1.5 hours outside Phoenix, Arizona, Spring Ridge Academy, serves young women ages 13-17. The program is licensed by the State of Arizona; the academic program/school is accredited by Cognia. Utilizing evidence-based clinical modalities with a traditional rigorous college-prep curriculum, including fine and expressive arts and team sports, Spring Ridge has created a relationship-based setting that allows the student’s emotional, relational, spiritual, intellectual, and physical to grow.