<p>My daughter has been living in a rural therapeutic boarding school with 85 students and she will be graduating one and a half years ahead of schedule. Im doing some college research for her because she doesnt have access to a phone or computer. She lives in a log cabin which has no heat or electricity. There are 7 other girls and two adults. She wakes each and every day at 5:45 and has daily chores which include maintaining a garden, chopping wood, cleaning the bath house, and a myriad of other things that must be done to sustain the school. She is only allowed to leave the property for outings with the staff which happens about once a month. There are intense group counseling sessions each day. Through the wonderful and caring efforts of the people at her school she has matured beyond words. She has had to do a lot of painful introspection on a level that few adults could face. One father said it best when he stated that as a Vietnam vet he has seen both courage and cowardice and what these kids go through, facing and dealing with some serious issues, is the most courageous thing he has ever witnessed. I am in awe of what she has accomplished. She is very bright and determined and is setting her sights on some highly selective schools. I am afraid that the fact that she is even at this school and the level of classes that have been available will prove too huge a hurdle for the admissions officers and they wont see beyond that and recognize what it took for her to turn her life around. Im hoping some of you could share some ideas or advice with regard to schools you think would see the positive in her situation and accomplishments and take a bit of a risk with her. She wants to stay in the southeast or east coast. Any ideas? Thanks to all.</p>
<p>Does this school have a guidance couselor, or someone that helps graduates transition to college or a vocational program? Have you talked with her teachers and therapists to see what kind of school you should look at? Perhaps you need to meet with them and your daughter, to discuss your daughter's future.</p>
<p>I wouldn't really recommend beginning college ahead of schedule- I am a fan of taking a year off- and possibly your daughter could find something like the Americorps program to solidify her new course in life
I would also look at schools that have a community focus like <a href="http://www.warren-wilson.edu/external_index.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.warren-wilson.edu/external_index.php</a></p>
<p>My daughter is a Senior at a similar boarding school program. She will be going to Santa Barbara Community College in the fall in their Transfer Program. We think it will be a good school for her and she will have access to a life coach/counselor to help her with the transition (not affiliated with the school).</p>
<p>Some of her classmates were accepted into highly selective colleges and yes they do take into account the kind of program she is coming from. I agree with northeastmom that you should meet with the school and your daughter to see what help they can provide in the transition.</p>
<p>My daughter's school does not provide transitioning help, hence her attendance at SBCC.</p>
<p>If your daughter is classified as a special education student, helping her determine where she goes after high school should be part of her transition plan and the school district must provide assistance, even if she is privately placed. Her school should be able to help with this. There are also professional "headhunter" types who counsel students with special needs and help them find good matches. Feel free to PM me if this is her situation.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there is no guidance counselor at the school. We hired an educational consultant that recommended this school but he deals with high schools and is a bit out of the loop on colleges, but of course we will seek his advice. The teachers and therapists are focused on providing her with the tools necessary for her to be successful in any environment. I have found that the parents that go through the process with their kids have a better feel for the admissions officers and their open mindedness. I just finished up the admissions process with my oldest but she entered it with excellent scores and grades. Of the schools we visited there was only one where I felt the admissions staff would be aprroachable regarding any given situation. Unfortunately, it is the one school she says she has no interest in. She doesn't have a particular type of school she's interested in. She is currently looking at a small LAC, which she toured with her older sister, and a medium size university.</p>
<p>When I posted our situation earlier this year on the board a helpful poster suggested looking into Prescott College in Prescott, AZ. It looked like a great program to me but alas daughter wanted to be by the beach.</p>
<p>Perhaps someone can remember the poster and thread started on a fairly similar topic. I think it would be helpful. The poster's daughter, a dancer, had developed serious substance abuse problems - as I recall they were an outgrowth of pills initially used to keep weight down (an occupational hazard of her dance talent). </p>
<p>skelcrs, I realize your d's situation may be different; but my memory is that there were many excellent ideas, as well as specific schools, suggested on that thread.</p>
<p>I believe the poster's screen name began with a 'k', but that's all I can remember right now.</p>
<p>You guys are great!
emeraldkity4 - My d's educational consultant worked at warren wilson and speaks very highly of it. I'll look into it further. My D is anxious by nature and she feels like she has missed out on so much of her life so she's trying to fast forward. She does want to go to South Africa for a while and work with the kids who have aids so maybe she will opt to do that first. The power of a movie - Constant Gardener!
Primetimemom - You know first hand what a difficult journey this is for these kids and the road blocks in their path. I have to tell you that SBCC is an excellent school. I went there as a young adult when I lived in SB many moons ago. I had superb teachers who could have taught at any top-tier university, but SB attracts the cream of the crop Who wouldn't want to live in SB and the school's setting is breathtaking. I think your D will enjoy it very much. I'm jealous, I would go back any day! Also, thanks for the lead on that thread, I'll look it up.
jadedog - she is in a category that falls through the cracks at every level. No special ed, no minority status no financial need. There are a lot of kids out there like her.
jmmom - I'll see if I can't find it if it isn't the same one that PrimetimeMom is suggestion.
Please keep your ideas coming!</p>
<p>I just read every post on the thread you both recommended. It was extremely helpful and had me with tissue in hand a couple of times. I was sorry that kyedor's journey ended so abrubtly and I hope she is doing well. One of the worst things about this process is the backward steps the kids take and you never know if they will take a step forward again. If you are out there Kyedor, I truly feel your pain and hope everything is working out for you and your daughter.</p>