|
New
Perspectives -
Jan, 2001 Issue #77 |
[This
is an outdated New Perspective.
The school declared bankrupcy and closed it's doors in
2003.
Please see Seen N Heard May 2003 for more
information. www.strugglingteens.com/archives/2003/5/may03seennheard.html]
WELLSPRING
ACADEMY
Sutherlin,
Virginia
Bob Gluhareff, CEO
804-753-1522
Wellspring
Academy is a Christian boarding school for at-risk teen
boys owned and operated by The Religious and Educational
Institute of Raleigh, Inc. Director Bob Gluhareff, a
family counselor, founded the academy fifteen years ago
in response to his frustration from watching kids with
problems struggle in school programs that didn’t work.
The
academy offers a structured setting that combines academics,
religion and individual counseling on a 510-acre farm.
The property also hosts leadership retreats for business
people, law enforcement officers and others, using some
of the same leadership principles the young boys learn
in the academy. Gluhareff asserts its small numbers are
part of the secret of their success, having 50 to 60
boys between the ages of 12 and 21 at any one time.
Each
boy has a personal role model or mentor, who traditionally
are those “who have progressed to a level in their program
at which they have served as an example of leadership
and growth to their fellow students.” The school calls
this a “Wounded Healer” Program.
Academics
are geared to each child’s strengths, adapted to each
boy’s individual style of learning, focusing on areas
of need. College classes are offered on campus “which
enables students to earn up to 50 college credits during
their stay and when appropriate, the student can earn
both high school and college credit for his academic
work.
Wellspring
hosts an Institute of Leadership, which they have adapted
into their Wellspring Institute of Leadership, Jr., for
the students attending the academy. It is designed to
develop “leadership skills, mentoring skills, and motivational
skills.” This starts conceptually with ten decisions
a potential leader must make. Exercises are then used
to practice implementing those decisions. by exercises
to them. Students also practice their leadership skills
doing community service, which helps to make a difference
in the lives of others. Gluhareff and the staff consider
Wellspring to be “Truly a Renaissance School…. With an
opportunity for each young man to be exposed to what
the Ancient Greeks called the ‘Greek Total Man,’ Wellspring
allows its well- educated staff to rechannel your son’s
energy into productive endeavors that will help him grow
educationally, spiritually, leadership-wise, and emotionally.” |