Meadowlark Academy is proud to offer services for troubled teen girls. We believe that a program that combines structure, skill building, guided decision making, and group interaction, all facilitated by skilled and caring staff, create benefits before unseen by the student.

Our philosophy is structured around a belief that building positive alliances between adults and youth will create a climate of mutual respect. When both youth and adults have respect for each other the things that can be learned are unlimited. This is accomplished by incorporating these helping disciplines: Strength Based Approach, Cognitive Self Change, Animal Therapy, and an Individualized Education Plan. These disciplines are widely recognized as some of the most successful difference makers for teens.

Meadowlark Academy employs strength based approach as their focused program agenda. This discipline has a long and successful history. Meadowlark Academy incorporates the basic components from this discipline.

There is a keen understanding of the need to have adults oversee the process without derailing it by taking over. SBA does not ask if one is willing to receive help; rather it is the expectation that you help others and show respect to your peers. By helping others, a student not only does what is right for others, she is re-enforcing positive behavior in herself.

SBA is directed at teaching each student the value of themselves and others around them. Anything that hurts another person is confronted and the student is held responsible for her actions. SBA focuses on a positive atmosphere where students are treated and expected to treat others with respect, dignity, kindness, and generosity. Teens are usually the last to admit they are in need of help from others; SBA focuses the teen’s ability to help other rather than forcing them to see their own faults. Again, SBA does not ask if teens are going to accept help but rather if they are willing to give help to others.

SBA is a non-punitive approach to motivate and encourage students to reach their full potential. Meadowlark Academy realizes that punishment for an inappropriate behavior leads to resentment and rebellion of the rules, and does nothing to replace the inappropriate behavior with pro-social behavior. Meadowlark Academy uses logical and natural consequences and finds teachable moments to help teach the students learn healthy, pro-social behavior.