Enrolling your child at Glenwood Academy is not an easy decision to make. Many parents have general questions before even considering reaching out to our Director of Admissions and Recruitment Karen Davis. Hopefully, this page will answer some of those questions.
What is the Glenwood curriculum? Glenwood is a comprehensive education and life skills program that will address the academic family, social and emotional risk factors that impeded academic and developmental success for at-risk students. The academic focus is on high school and college prep designed to prepare our students for further education and lay the foundation for our students envisioning college and career. The residential focus is on leadership, empowering, compassion for others, and problem-solving designed to instill excellence in our students throughout all areas of their lives.
What kind of training does your staff have? All residential staff has been trained annually in a program that is best practice in child development, child discipline, goal setting, communications, and child interventions. The foundation of some of the practices done at Glenwood come from authors such as Allen Mendler and Richard Curwin, Karyn Purvis and David Cross, Tom Dowd and Jeff Tierney, H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelson. Glenwood believes strongly in learning not just for our students but for our staff.
Where do the children live during the week? Children live in on-campus residence halls (we call them “cottages”) with 10-12 other children and house parents who provide the nurturing, structure and discipline necessary to help the students achieve their potential. Most of our house parents are married couples, often with children and sometimes pets of their own, creating a family environment. They live with their families in an apartment within the cottage in order to model a typical family, teach social skills, assist with homework, give advice and meet the children’s needs outside of the school day. Students share dorm rooms with roommates and share a bathroom with other cottage mates. All students eat meals together in the dining hall.
Is Glenwood a military school? No, but our school does have a Military Leadership Program, in which all students actively participate to help them build their leadership and teamwork skills. Based on the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), Glenwood uses a variation to teach citizenship, leadership and additional life skills to help students prepare for a productive life. Throughout the week, cadets learn and practice different drills including in-place movements and marching movements. Students participate in competitive drills for prestigious awards and future leadership opportunities within the program. Formal military uniforms are provided for all students to wear at official military functions.
What do the children wear? Grade school students wear a uniform consisting of a blue or white shirt, black pants, shoes, belt, and socks. Students who have earned the privilege – completed their homework and exhibited appropriate school behaviors during the week – may wear “play clothes” to school on Friday. All children “dress down” after school at different times, depending on privileges earned.
What is the cost of tuition? Our mission and, therefore, our priority is to serve moderate to lower-income families. Tuition is based on each individual family’s income. Each family is asked to contribute toward tuition an amount that is affordable to them, generally 2-6% of actual costs. Thanks to our thoughtful and generous donors, we are able to cover the additional cost.
When will my child come home? Can he/she call? Glenwood is unique because students go home every weekend and on holidays to spend time with their families. A family member or guardian drops their student/s off Sunday night and picks them up Friday evening within a stated time period. Children can call home either collect or with a calling card. Families can also send mail or packages if they wish.
What are the class sizes? Another strength of our program is the small class size. Current classes range from about 12-15 students. As a result, students are able to receive more attention in the classroom.
Is extra help available for students? In addition to the small class size, we have a resource department for those students requiring some resource help in their current school setting. After school help also is available for those students who need it. After school, a structured study hall in the cottage is required for all students. Children have assignment notebooks and house parents are active participants in this study time to answer questions. Homework must be completed and assignment notebooks must be signed by house parents before a child can participate in other activities.
What activities are available in the cottages for children? There are a variety of activities in the cottage, and they can vary between the two campuses. Generally, they include outdoor sports, board games, reading, movie night (G and PG only). After-school activities on campus are an earned privilege for students who exhibit appropriate behavior and complete their homework. Also, students may earn the privilege to have bikes, skateboards and roller blades on campus along with the appropriate safety equipment.
What if my child becomes sick? A nurse and health center is available throughout the day if a student feels ill. If a child is potentially contagious, you – or someone you have deemed as an alternate – will be asked to pick him or her up that day. If a situation is serious, we will take the child the emergency room at a nearby hospital and we will notify you immediately.
What is a typical day on campus? A typical day in the cottage starts with house parents waking the children at 7:00 am for morning detail or chores. All children are assigned chores and every one does their part to contribute to the cottage family. Before heading to breakfast in the dining hall, house parents ensure the children are dressed, well groomed and prepared for the day. After breakfast, the children go to school from 8:30 am to 3:02 pm. House parents and teachers communicate daily so children maintain their academic standards. After school, house parents enforce a 1-hour minimum study time each day, assisting the children with their homework as needed. In the evening after dinner, children are encouraged to have free playtime, which might include playing outdoors or indoors. Frequently cottage families will play board games, puzzles or create their own talent shows. Limits are placed on TV and video games in cottages. Children new to cottage life often ask, “When can we watch TV?” After a while at Glenwood, children rarely ask to watch TV and prefer activities with their cottage family.