Crossroads Academy
Ogden, UT

A couple of topics I would like to share about our program, Crossroads Academy include: students that are 18 or are soon to turn 18; our academic program and lastly, our continuing support of student's interests.

Over the years there has been a lot of confusion around the state licensing rules pertaining to 18 year olds in Utah. It seemed that depending on whom you spoke to at the licensing department, they would give you a different response. A few months ago our licensing agent explained to us that students had to be in the program for a minimum of 3 months before they turned 18, but even then, they needed a variance from the state. At that point we began the process of applying for a license that will allow us to work with 18 year olds. We have just recently been approved to accept these students as long as they arrive to us before or on their 18th birthday. The majority of our young men who turn 18 while with us, decide to stay to complete the program because of the many opportunities that they have (i.e. lots of healthy recreational activities, taking college classes at Weber State University, working at either of our shops, or finding their own job).

Another topic I would like to share about has to do with our academics. The private school that we use is fully accredited through the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. For our older students (juniors and seniors), the school allows them to not only catch up to where they need to be, but the students are also able to do an accelerated program which allows them to graduate early. Those students who graduate early begin taking college classes at Weber State University. Over the past two years, 50 percent of our older students have taken classes at Weber and received either A's or B's in those classes. Older students can also take classes at the Ogden Weber Applied Technology College. We have had student's take culinary, automotive, and computer classes there.

For our younger students that will eventually be transitioning back to schools at home or other academic boarding schools, we have started to use a 250 student charter high school called The DaVinci Academy (The 2008 Utah Charter School of the Year). We have established a great relationship with this charter school. After a student has done a semester in our program, he may then enroll at the charter school to further prepare him for the transition back to home.

The last topic is our ability to support students in their interests. Because of the small nature of our school, we are able to individualize a program that allows students to participate in healthy activities of their choosing. At the moment, we have two students playing on premier club soccer teams. We have had students on rowing and lacrosse teams. One of our past students played on the local high school tennis team, and in fact, won the state championship, and is now attending Penn State on a tennis scholarship. We also have music equipment and have plenty of space behind our skate park for the boys to play in a band.

We want our boys to not only talk about how they are going to stay sober, but we want them to actually experience living sober. Because these activities and opportunities become the hook for students, we are able to work with students who have previously been very resistant to therapy. We have now been open for two full years, and it continues to be an awesome and rewarding experience.

Here is a link to a video of the two stores that we have opened up over the past year: Video