Carolyn W.

Diamond Ranch Academy is truly a PREMIER therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens. I cannot express within a short writing how much we appreciate this school and it's outstanding, dedicated staff. Our precious daughter was spiraling downward in school performance and behavior and there was no where to turn after we tried every avenue available. It was tough making the decision to enroll her at DRA but I cannot tell you how relieved we are that we intervened to this extent. It is virtually impossible to get and hold the attention of a teen in their present environment to convince them to make positive changes - the distractions are limitless. Unless one can cleanly break the cycle of events and separate them from harmful influences then one cannot expect them to make changes for the better. The staff is well trained, personable and a professional team working on our child's behalf and our family unit. We appreciated them keeping us informed and alleviating anxieties those first days and weeks. As expected, she was not happy about being taken out of her environment and placed in one where she was forced to be accountable for her decisions and actions before privileges were earned. Those first phone call visits weren't from a grateful child. It took a couple of months for DRA to teach her to recognize and alter self-destructive patterns. She is now making good grades, she's developed a strong positive self esteem and DRA has taught her far better means of coping and handling problems, withstanding peer pressure and setting healthy boundaries. Had she remained under the same influences as before I shutter to think of the problems we'd be dealing with now. Instead of watching our relationship deteriorate we are enjoying a pleasant, confident daughter who is self motivated, considerate and looks forward to accomplishing positive goals. Would I make this decision knowing all I know now? You better believe it - and I'm very thankful that we intervened as early as we did. Your child is safe at DRA.