Why today’s teens need more support than ever
Why Today’s Teens Need More Support Than Ever
Current High school students (13-18 years old), were approximately 4th-8th graders when the COVID Pandemic broke out in 2020. At the time, these students were making the critical jump from Elementary schools to Middle and High Schools. At that pivotal stage of development, school is the focal point for so much intellectual, social, and emotional growth. The crucial lessons and skills being learned – both in and out of the classrooms, came to a screeching halt as children and parents alike navigated bringing work and school home, on top of the stress of living through a global pandemic.
While schools and educators did their best to continue with classes virtually, students everywhere faltered. We saw this along all fronts – academic, social, and emotional – and with almost all students. Your child is certainly not alone. Studies show that the massive setbacks during COVID lead to sweeping negative results for students across the country, averaging nearly half a year of education lost. The National Center for Education Statistics in Washington released further data that nearly 80% of schools participating in a 2022 study reported the Pandemic had negatively impacted student behavior and social/emotional development. Anxiety is sharply rising among adolescents. It is clear that we are amid a parallel pandemic, affecting the future success of our young people.
How Summit Achievement, a treatment program with an academic component, can help
So, what can you do to help your high school student continue to recover from the interruption? Experts agree that continued immersion in academics, along with strong support systems, is the best approach for students who are still struggling to get back on track. The U.S. Department of Education has publicly stated that summer learning “can offer another opportunity to accelerate learning, especially for those students most impacted by disruptions to learning during the school year.” Here at Summit, we can give your student the opportunity to regain their academic footing, while building the social and emotional skills to thrive as they enter adulthood.
Integration of School and Treatment
Many of our students’ strengths, weaknesses, challenges, triggers and patterns related to their anxiety play out in a classroom setting. This is especially true for students who spent a prolonged period out of the classroom during COVID. Summit is different from other therapeutic programs in that we are actively engaged in helping students identify these anxieties as they relate to school. Our unique model allows students to better understand their anxiety and also begin to craft new coping skills and strategies. Our teachers are active members of our treatment team, working in lockstep with our clinicians.
An Individualized Approach
Our curriculum is individualized for each student based on their learning profile, their academic history and at what point in the semester or trimester they enroll. Our classes are self-paced and mastery based, allowing students to work at their own pace and ensuring they have a working grasp of concepts before moving onto the next topic. Students are supervised and instructed by teachers in our small classrooms. Our Academic Director works with the student, their family, and their past (or future!) schools to determine the most appropriate curriculum. Additionally, each student works with a primary therapist who develops an individualized treatment plan, combining therapeutic goals as well as educational.
Safe Struggle
Our program incorporates adventure therapy and nature-based therapy in the form of 4 day and 3 night expeditions each week. Students go out backpacking, hiking, canoeing, etc. in our beautiful field area here in the White Mountains. While students are always under the safe supervision of trained and qualified wilderness guides, it is not uncommon for things to get a little uncomfortable or unpredictable. This is what we call “safe struggle,” and it helps our students gain resilience, build healthy relationships, and cultivate self confidence.
Summit Achievement is currently enrolling students into our programs. Don’t hesitate to reach out today if you think we’re right for your family.
Admissions: Shannon Palentchar – shannon@summitachievement.com, (207) 447-9450