Shepherds Hill Academy

2200 Price Road

Martin, GA 30557

29 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on April 09, 2024

A place kids can go to unplug from the world and have peace to see whats important in life! Biblical based teaching by an amazing loving staff.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2024

Shepherds Hill Academy is a safe haven for parents and kids that are experiencing crisis or need help to get back on track. We found ourselves unexpectedly in this position and came across Shepherd’s Hill. We made the decision not to take any reviews at face value given the importance of this decision and visited the campus in person to meet the staff and students and to see their facilities. We spoke directly to the kids and were able to meet teachers, therapists and the Leadership to ask all the questions we wanted. They were sound in their theology and we knew after that meeting that it was exactly what we were searching for - the perfect combination of academics, treatment and discipleship. Our son is about to graduate from high school at Shepherd’s Hill and we couldn’t be more proud of him. The team got him back on track academically and he had no issues being accepted into his first choice university. He is completely transformed in every way, from his relationship with Jesus, to a better diet, to learning how to build strong, meaningful relationships and improved mental health. Shepherds Hill is the best decision we ever made for our family. The staff truly are invested in and love the kids. If you’re struggling with your teen, we highly recommend Shepherd’s Hill. It was the most difficult decision we ever had to make but the best decision and we would do it again in a heartbeat.
Submitted by other on August 30, 2023

I attended SHA in 2011 and graduated from high school there. The teachers at the actual school part of SHA I always found to be supportive and encouraging, the class sizes are very small, but there are multiple lessons happening in the same classroom, which can be a bit distracting. The school also utilized a Georgia online program for some of the classes they didn't have teachers for, which negates some of the benefit of the actual classroom experience promised. The biggest issue with the actual school experience of SHA is that it is deeply intermixed with the Therapeutic/Wilderness Program, which as other reviews have noted means that misbehaving in the classroom, anything from not doing homework, to daydreaming, to poor grades, are subject to punishment by the Therapeutic/Wilderness program. These punishments range from writing lines, to pushups, to "Special Meals", to standing in a corner with your nose to the wall. The most extreme levels of punishment I experienced in my time there were shackling students with actual handcuffs for weeks at a time, and "spankings" that were conducted with a cricket bat with holes drilled through it for less air resistance. Students are allowed to write to their parents, and get a phone call or a visit every month, however, all of these forms of communication are monitored by staff. Students who do not profess a belief in the Christian faith are discriminated against, as the program's main belief is that your child's issues stem from a spiritual problem, and so the way to fix your child's issues are through faith. As a Christian myself, I certainly believe that faith is an important component to all around well-being, but saw that this approach actually pushed many of my cohort away from faith. If you are considering a Therapeutic/Wilderness program for your child, I would be very careful, there is as equal a chance that this program will help your child as it will harm them, and even if it helps them the mere experience of the place will leave them with new obstacles to overcome. Almost every girl in my cohort experienced severe trust issues, nightmares, and anxiety after leaving the program. Try everything else you possibly can first.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2022

Our once sweet, respectful daughter had turned into someone we barely recognized and desperately wanted back! We kept thinking “how in the world did we get here?” No answer seemed to make sense to us but we knew we needed help.After a ton of research and days of phone calls, we were presented with an opportunity to talk with SHA about our situation. We were met with grace, deep understanding and a feeling of peace when decided to send our daughter to SHA.Our daughter spent 12 months at SHA. Although, at first, our daughter was unsure, she quickly realized that is was exactly where she needed to be. Over the months she was there we saw gradually bigger and bigger changes in her attitude and behavior.Truthfully, we had lost almost all hope and it was the counselors, therapists, directors and founders that kept encouraging us along the way! They have been doing this for more than 20 years and they KNOW what they are doing - in therapy, living arrangements, education and commitment to see troubled teens thrive in this world!Not only did our daughter get group, equine, individual and family counseling but WE got counseling as well! Ultimately it led us to understand ourselves, our daughter and our family system better.In that year’s timing we learned so much! SHA was there for us, every step of the way! From the office staff, to the cooking staff, to the nurse right up to the founders and directors we were encouraged, educated and guided down a path that got our whole family back on track.Our daughter’s individual counselor was, by far, the best therapist I’ve ever encountered (and I’ve met quite a few in my line of work and my own counseling). She really cared about my daughter’s success. She wasn’t afraid to challenge my daughter’s unhealthy thinking in a way that my daughter not only accepted but eventually looked forward to.SHA has become like family to us. If it wasn’t for Shepherd’s Hill our daughter would not have likely gotten the help she needed in the way that she needed it. SHA tailors your child’s whole experience, not only to their individual needs, but to the whole family’s needs. It’s backed by research and years upon years of proven experience.If you’re reading this and you’ve unfortunately found yourself in a situation similar to ours, I have one thing to say……you can trust Shepherd’s Hill.
Submitted by other on April 24, 2022

This “school” is horrible. The administration is mean and threatening towards students. The school work is a joke as well. I lost basically a year of school by being at SHA. Most of these other “reviews” are written by staff to make it look like a great place, but don’t believe it.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2017

My daughter is now in month 5 at Shepherds Hill... I can admit our skepticism and concern about the wilderness approach and the effect it would have. But I have to say the program is working and those teaching and training her are top notch. I could not find a better place, better training, or better staff to care for my child. It is tough, and rough, and a complete isolation from society other than that of her peers and staff. But that is exactly what she needed to discover herself and to learn what she needed to learn about respect, integrity, friendship, and the truth of God.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2016

Shepherds Hill AcademyWas a blessing to us, our granddaughter had lost both parents, she was depressed had anxiety and behavioral problems. At 16 the normal teen years are hard enough but with what happen to her wasoverwhelming to her and us. The staff at SHA helped her in every area of her life. I highly recommend them.
Submitted by other on October 18, 2014

"Mind control is also known as manipulation, thought reform, brainwashing, mental control, coercive persuasion, malignant use of group dynamics. Under the umbrella of persuasion and influence - how to change people's beliefs and behaviors".
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2014

After spending hours talking to various therapeutic boarding schools I found SHA. I was only on the phone with Trace for about a half hour and decided that is where I wanted him though it was very far from California. It was extremely difficult to drop him off but the staff was so wonderful. When we returned to see him, our son was respectful and changed for the better. We went through all his school work and were extremely impressed with the education he was getting. I will be forever grateful to Trace and SHA. It is such a wonderful place!!!
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2014

Shepherds Hill Academy helped us all step back and see the truth about what was going on in our family. Our son got some time apart to work through his struggles, and he came home a healthier person. My wife and I went to the parent seminars, and they opened our eyes about how God calls us to parent our children. Parenting is still a tough job, but now we are all better equipped to live how God asks us to live.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2014

Shepherds Hill Academy is simply amazing. The heart they have for struggling kids, the passion and dedication to helping them reach their full potential, there s nothing like it anywhere. What a blessing to have found Sheperds Hill when our daughter needed help.
Submitted by other on January 29, 2014

My wife and I sent our Grandson to Shepherds Hill Academy for one year. What an awesome program!! Trace Embry and his staff were such a positive influence on my Grandson. The Christian environment at Shepherds Hill was the foundation for this young man to build the rest of his life upon. Ralph Hudgens Insurance Commissioner State of Georgia
Submitted by parent on December 23, 2013

Finding Shepherd's Hill was a direct answer to prayer and has been even more than we could have asked for for our daughter. SHA offers a quality education, caring and skilled teachers, and an encouraging, loving environment. We know that the teachers and staff love and take care of our child so well that we can have peace that she is safe and secure. They truly desire to see our daughter excel educationally, emotionally and spiritually. Their love for the kids is evident in how they pour themselves into each student as they seek to know them and know their gifts and talents to guide them to success in life after they leave. We would HIGHLY recommend SHA!!!
Submitted by other on December 22, 2013

Shepherds Hill Academy has a devoted staff that truly love the kids. The environment is perfect for learning, reflecting, and spiritual growth.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2013

Through the MANY hours of Googling , searching, calling, reviewing. Nothing compares to the whole package we have found with Shepherd's Hill Academy. First and most important it is Christian-founded. You absolutely cannot find a better place. They have a structured environment, 24/7 supervision, and the most loving and caring staff! Their desire is for these teens to take responsibility for their own choices, stop blaming everyone else for their problems, and learn to truly live an abundant life that God wants to bless them with. Our son has been at SHA for almost four months now. We have seen a huge difference already! We are so blessed to have found SHA!
Submitted by other on December 02, 2013

I have been reading about this school for several years now by reading their newsletters, visiting their website, listening to their radio program and I've called them to get wonderful advice. Everything I've read and heard has been exemplary! I'm thankful for what they do on very limited budgets and lots of love!
Submitted by other on November 27, 2013

Shepherd's Hill Academy strives to provide a relevant Christian based education to troubled youth. Being a retired educator there are first hand evidence of a concerned staff and director striving to help youth through their troubles.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2013

After years of struggle to bring our daughter under control, and realizing we couldn't keep her safe anymore, we searched for a residential program where she would receive the help she needed and also keep up with her education. After researching several similar schools and talking to their directors, we chose to send our daughter to Shephrd's Hill Farm. I cannot tell you how glad I am that we chose SHF. In every area they exceeded my expectations. The staff, without exception, were professional and loving. The program is strict, but loving. She was able to graduate from high school and learned acceptable behavior. I never hesitate to recommend Shepherd's Hill to other parents. They are truly first class in every way.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2013

Shepherd's Hill Academy helped our family tremendously. Our teen was in desperate need of help. We didn't find SHA, it literally found us. I'm so thankful that we found a place where our child could heal from the past and move forward. The Christian counseling, equine and girls program (they have boys also) were the major draw. However, we received so much more and it met our expectations one hundred fold. Would highly recommend calling and seeing if this would suit your teens needs - it did ours. Eternally grateful - A Northwest Parent
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2013

SHA was a great place for our son to learn in a structured environment, from helpful yet stern teachers, in a Christian setting.