I graduated from CSA in May of 2003 and am now finishing my sophomoreyear of college at Columbia College Chicago (in Chicago, obviously!)I'm majoring in TV Production with a concentration inProducing/Directing. I've just been elected as the Vice-President ofColumbia's Student Government Association. These things might not seemlike that big of a deal now, but when I went in to CSA I was failingall of my tenth grade classes and had been kicked out for skipping toomuch. I was stealing, driving without a license, and hadn't spoken tomy mom in 6 months. Through some of my experiences at CSA but mostlythe people who worked there, as well as the girls, I became a happier,more mature individual. I have a great relationship with my family andwith my mom and couldn't be more excited about the choices that I'mmaking for my life now. I did a lot of growing up at CSA and while Ihated it at the time, I can look back now and be thankful for what itdid give me. My life back.
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- Courtney W., CSA Graduate
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A year ago my son was not able to fit into what we know as “oursociety”. He was angry, dropped out of school, defiant, couldn’t hold apart-time job and just miserably depressed. He scared us and we wereworried for his life. He was headed down a path we did not know how tohandle. Carolina Springs has saved my son and our family.
[Carolina Springs] works only if the parents, step parents,guardians, siblings and the child in the school work together. In otherwords, this [school] helps develop whole and happy families. It’s beenvery difficult but also the most rewarding accomplishment for my sonand our family… We have become a family during this whole process. Ittook our child to rebel to make us look at our lives. It has changed usin a way we would have never dreamt possible. He is happy, healthy andhis self esteem is soaring. The campus is beautiful and the childrenare well attended to. The staff is remarkable. Each one of them has aheart as big as gold. They have always been open about our child andthe progress he makes.
Sincerely,
Beth T.
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- Beth T. , Parent of a CSA Student
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Our son was a student at CSA…He is alive and well because of CSA. Thetime spent at the school was good for him. It provided him a structuredsafe environment surrounded by individuals that were focused on hisgrowth and development.
What can I say! We began to see changes in our son toward the end ofhis tenth grade year. He was not the same boy. We assumed his changeswere related to puberty or just growing pains. We trusted him to makethe right choices, because we had raised him to make the right choices.Well, he had not. The choices he was making were under the influence ofdrugs and alcohol. His grades were falling. He no longer took interestin his appearance. He lost interest in sports. He found himself infights. He was driving while drinking. He was very angry with hisfamily. This sir was not our son. We sought the guidance of a familytherapist for approximately three months. But still, he continued tospin out of control.
We realized that the only way he was going to have a chance at the lifeof his dreams was to remove him from the environment he had created forhimself. To get him away from his support - The support that encouragedhis lifestyle… It worked. And you better believe we missed our son, butwe did not miss the hell in which we were living as we watched him fallapart.
CSA was there. The school allowed him to continue his education aswell as evaluate his life and the choices he was making. He receivedguidance that will remain with him for the rest of his life. Positiveguidance and positive experiences. Granted he did not appreciate beingpulled away from his home and friends. But so what, at the time he wasnot thinking properly. His mind was under the control of the drugs andalcohol.
In the six months since graduating CSA, our son has graduated highschool and holds a full time job. He plans to attend the communitycollege this fall.
Sincerely,
Lynda D.
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- Lynda D., Parent of a CSA Graduate
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I am writing to let you know that CSA is doing some very needed work.They have been successful in redirecting my son’s life from one of poorchoices to one where he stops and thinks and measures his actionsagainst his self developed values. They do not set the values for thekids, but instead make them aware of what it means to have your ownvalues and how to stand in your value and interpret differentchallenges that cause you to break your values. They balance this beingtrue to yourself with a position of tolerance and respect for peoplewith different values and learn to protect themselves form those whohave no values. Many kids learn these things from families, friends,etc. The kids at CSA are a group that did not learn these things firsttime around.
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- Parent of a CSA Student
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My stepson is not dead
He does not use drugs
He is not addicted to computer games
He has not flunked out of school
He is not depressed
He is not a danger to himself or others
Without Carolina Springs Academy, many of the above statements wouldnot be true….Our boy is currently at Carolina Springs Academy and doinggreat. He is happy, healthy, and doing well at school. He is no longerfilled with anger. Last time we saw him he hugged us and said he lovedus.
CSA Parent
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- Parent of a CSA Student
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My name is Tina, and I have a son at Carolina Springs Academy. I’msending this email to share our experience since becoming a part of theCSA family. At CSA they not only address the childs’ issues, they alsogive continuing seminars for the parents as well. This equips thefamily with life changing methods that ensure a stable and healthyhousehold. Instead of a bandage fix, CSA actually stitches the wound,which enables parents and child to heal and grow in a healthy manner.If I had to do the initial enrollment for my son at CSA all over again;the only change I would make would have been to do it sooner. This isby far one of the “best” choices that could have been made for my son.It is my opinion that he will beyond a shadow of a doubt be moreequipped for the real world having attended and graduated the CSAprogram.
Sincerely,
Tina J.
(Proud mother of the CSA family)
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- Tina J., Parent of a CSA Student
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Bob P.
Former Lieutenant Governor
"As South Carolinians, we are fortunate to have a programavailable here that teaches teens the importance of personalresponsibility, accountability and discipline. Through a vigorousprogram of performance-based academics, coupled with discipline,physical fitness and parental involvement, teens are able to emergefrom Carolina Springs Academy to lead productive lives.
As Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, I deeply appreciate [CarolinaSprings Academy's] emphasis on promoting the time-honored values ofrespect, honor and integrity."
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- Bob P.
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Our 14 year-old son is attending CSA. This past year has been anightmare involving marijuana, the law, suspension from school,property damage, hospitalization (major bills) with our son. Thenightmare didn’t seem to have an end and we were headed for disaster,the first being the breakup of the family and sure to follow would bemore trouble with the law. Our son was stealing from us and lying tous. He was in charge and there did not seem to be any choice but tosend him to a school for troubled youth. I spoke to former students andparents and received very positive feedback. We love our son and trulyfeel he is getting the help he needs at this school.
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- Parent of a CSA Student
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This was the only option for our son. He was rejected from severalother programs. I feel our son would not be alive today if not forCarolina Springs Academy. A program that is results based, withsuperior 24/7 care and long term solutions for change… Not only is thisprogram one of recovery and rehabilitation for the child, but for thewhole family. There are workshops and seminars that enhance and teachthe family to become united and functional. I understand this programmay not be for everyone, but it’s the one that saved my son’s life andbrought our family together. My son is a completely whole personbecause of this program. He is confident, loving, joyful and respectfulyoung man.
Sincerely,
Sheila H.
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- Sheila H., Parent of a CSA Student
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William H. “Billy” O’Dell
South Carolina State Senate
District 4, Abbeville and Anderson Counties
“I was invited to Carolina Springs Academy to join a team ofcommunity and civic leaders in judging a student debate on campus. Iwas most impressed at that time with the professionalism of theadministration and staff and was particularly impressed with theconduct and demeanor of the students. They were well behaved, happy andintelligent young people. I learned at that time that Carolina Springsis a Specialty Boarding School for students who may be struggling athome and whose parents have sent them to the school. Since that time, Ihave been very involved with the school in working with theadministration to enhance school programs and offer independentassistance with their operations.
I have spent literally hundreds of hours with the students andstaff on choir trips, parades, dinner groups, campus activities, fieldtrips, business meetings or just eating lunch with them in the schoolcafeteria. Over these past two years, my wife and I have personallyenjoyed various off campus dinners and activities with dozens anddozens of students, many of which I have now come to know quite well.In addition, I try to personally meet with each graduate as a part of apresentation of a Senate Certificate.
I often ask the students I meet with to describe their experienceat the school. The most common response I get is that it has not beeneasy, but it has helped turn their life around. I have had studentstell me that they believe it has actually saved their life. I havewatched as graduates tearfully hug staff, teachers, and administratorsin an expression of gratitude before they depart for home with theirfamilies. My own observations have assured me that the administrationand staff are professional, caring people, who are genuine in theirdesires to help young people improve their lives.
In addition to my personal involvement with the students, I havealso been involved with the state licensure process via the SouthCarolina Division of Social Services. This is a very detailed andexacting process as qualified state personnel interview students, viewcharts, and records, and conduct a thorough walk through andexamination of all aspects of the campus and the school’s processes.Carolina Springs Academy has been licensed by the State of SouthCarolina and has been academically accredited for seven years. This isa tribute to the operations of the school and is an additionalsafeguard to the students and their well-being.
I am grateful for the service being provided to families in need, and render my support on behalf of Carolina Springs Academy.
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- Senator William H. "Billy" O'Dell
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My child spent 23 months under the loving care of Carolina SpringsAcademy. Prior to the program she was heading for the local morgue. Butinstead I did what I could, used every resource available includingtherapist, clergy, threats, punishment and counselors of all differenttypes. When this was exhausted so was I. Making the decision to placemy child into the care of strangers to try to straighten out and savewhat I couldn’t wasn’t easy. What I found out was I was a part of theproblem.
This organization engages the entire family in the healing process. Notmany programs do that. Through that process I learned more aboutmyself, how to approach the problems and how to get rid of my excessbaggage and open up to my child and work with her, not against her….
My daughter has been home 10 months now, and we can talk, interactand work on issues together with a whole new set of goals that includehonesty, respect and integrity.
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- Debby C. , Parent of a CSA Graduate
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I am writing this letter to you to explain the special gift that mychild and our family have been given. Our Son is enrolled at CarolinaSprings Academy. It has been a life changing experience for all of us….
Our son has grown in self esteem, maturity, and scholastically is doing better than he ever did in the public school system.
James and Christina
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- James & Christina, Parents of a CSA Student
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Wow! What a day it has been. My son has graduated from CSA today. Thereare not enough words to express my thanks and gratitude to all of thefaculty at CSA. It's a great program with great people. Keep up thegood work!
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- Carla Hibbs, parent of CSA graduate
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The program at CSA works because it changes not just the "troubledteen" but also the family dynamics that allowed for the teens' loss ofcontrol. This makes it unique and invaluable.
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- Andrea H., Parent of CSA graduate
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We sent a very troubled young boy to CSA 1 year ago. We knew he waslost and drugs were the direction he had turned. At first we were justhappy that he was in a safe place. But as time went by the programhelped our son grow into a fine young man and we are full of hope onceagain for our son.
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- Tony H., parent of CSA graduate
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CSA has changed our entire family and its dynamics for the better. Itscares me to think where we might be today without our CSA experience.God bless the staff and family reps who have improved our lives.
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- Charles & Vicki, parents of CSA graduate
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The long journey was well worth the end results we have as a family. Weare looking forward to the next phase at home. Thank you for helping tosave our daughters life.
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- Kathie C., Parent of CSA graduate
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CSA has been a wonderful experience for our whole family. I have neveronce regretted the decision to send our son to the program. We are verygrateful to all of the wonderful staff there. Thanks for helping ourfamily become a unit again.
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- Lynne V, Parent of CSA graduate
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