The Founder and Executive Director of Advent Home Learning Center, Tennessee, Dr. Blondel Senior was interviewed by radio host Lon Woodbury on L.A. Talk Radio about how a Christian therapeutic boarding school has a different way of helping adolescents than a secular therapeutic boarding school.
Background: Dr. Blondel Senior and Advent Home learning Center
Dr. Blondel Senior has about 40 years working with at-risk teens. He founded his Christian therapeutic boarding school in 1985. Advent Home learning Center, Inc. is an all-male, 6th-12th grade boarding school in Calhoun, Tennessee. The school is classified as an alternative institution, has a Christian religious affiliation, and is located in a beautiful rural setting.
Advent Home Learning Center offers remedial school, lifestyle modifications and improved health for at-risk boys. It serves at-risk boys with ADHD, scholastic, emotional and behavior issues who take part in a 9 to 36 month intervention program.
Additionally, Advent Home helps 18-22 year old young men to pass their GED, finish high school, and study in preparation for college or a career. These older students are enrolled in a 5 to 12 month opportunity and skills building program.
How A Christian Therapeutic Boarding School Changes Lives
Dr Senior began the interview by talking about why his Christian-oriented schools was highly effective in helping children mature physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Almost miraculous positive change, he said, was due to three principle factors: a dedicated Christian staff, a healing rural environment, and a very structured therapeutic and academic program.
The staff workers follow Christ’s role model of compassion and patience and provide the boys a lot more attention than they would get in a secular school. There is greater attention to each individual, more personal coaching, and smaller groups. Furthermore, teachers and staff often put in additional hours to assist struggling adolescents.
The beautiful country setting, too, is conducive to healing. The children enjoy the large acres of green grass and the extensive open sky, and they are amazed by how many stars they can see at night. A return to nature, far from the distractions and interruptions of inner city life stimulates positive change. Children are calmed by the gorgeous flora and fauna, appreciating the natural landscape, the presence of wild birds and small animals, and the rich plant life. They also benefit from a healthy vegan diet plan and lots of exercise in the fresh air.
Finally, the Christian therapeutic boarding school has a tightly structured daily routine, where discipline and values, rooted in pragmatic Christian virtues, are constantly enforced. Over time, the children give up their recalcitrance and begin to flow with the security of a structured routine.
Summary
The boarding school is proud of its 93 percent success rate, with most of the participants completing high school, holding down regular employment, marrying, and living balanced lives. This is a substantial turn-around from the rebellious attitude they showed when they initially arrived at this Christian therapeutic boarding school.
Lon Woodbury, the founder of Struggling Teens, has recorded the entire interview about how Dr. Mellilo is helping parents with autistic children on his weekly L.A. Talk Radio show for people to at their convenience.
