With a backpack full of books and a protein bar in his hand, Rob M. looks like any other college student on campus. You wouldn't know less than two months ago, he was living on the streets and shooting heroin.
The Program
"The whole idea of Sober College is wherever your child is with their education, we will create a customized track for them. Sober College's academic program enables students to obtain their high school diploma, GED or various college diplomas, explains Michael Cahlin M.Ed., Academic Director. "For those that are not college-bound, less than one mile away is the West Valley Occupational Center which allows a student to earn a vocation in as little as six months," adds Cahlin.
In addition to its own unique courses and curriculum, Sober College partners with numerous educational institutions, both locally and through distance learning. "Whenever possible we will devise ways to satisfy both high school and college requirements simultaneously allowing young adults who have missed extended school time while using drugs or alcohol to catch up. For those who are ready to begin working, we help them get their GED and join the workforce," says Mr. Cahlin.
Like many young adults in recovery, Rob came into Sober College angry and had burnt every bridge possible. Shy only a few credits of his high school diploma, he had no idea how to get his life back on track. "Starting with sobriety first, we created an academic plan for Rob to satisfy all needed scholastic requirements in the shortest time possible. While enrolled at Sober College, he was able to finish high school and start off-campus college classes while continuing to focus on his recovery," concludes Cahlin.
The Statistics
"Nearly 1 in 3 high school students in the Class of 2006 will not graduate this year," the Editorial Projects in Education (EDE) Research Center reported Tuesday.
Sober College focuses on both addiction and emotional growth, two major contributors to high school dropout percentages. "In order to ensure the success of our students, we feel it is imperative to have both a therapeutic and educational approach to chemical dependency, both of which are found in our five core competencies," Loree Cohen, LCSW, and Executive Director. In addition to education and emotional well-being, Sober College focuses on physical fitness, employment and life skills.
2007 Spring Semester Statistics
40 Sober College students took a combined total of 87 college courses with an average GPA of 3.50. Other achievements include six high school diplomas, four GED's and one Linux certification. "What do these stats and figures really reveal about sober students and the effectiveness of Sober College?" asks Mr. Cahlin. "It says that Sober College is helping students achieve tangible, traceable, academic success even for students who believe they are not good in school or previously failed college courses. Sober College is effectively getting students back on academic and life track."
About Sober College Sober College, headquartered in Southern California, is a small private institution providing alcohol and drug treatment environments for young adults ages 17 to 26. The Sober College builds core competencies in life skills, employment, academics, emotional well-being and fitness.