WE DEVELOP THE TOTAL YOUNG MAN
Academically, Socially and Emotionally GRAND RIVER ACADEMY
GRAND RIVER ACADEMY is a close-knit and supportive
boarding school community for boys featuring a 360째 approach to develop the total young man: academically, socially and emotionally.
The Advantages of an All-Boy Environment ACADEMICS
AT GRAND RIVER ACADEMY
There are a number of advantages of our all-boy boarding-school environment that are success factors for all our students. A TA I LO R E D T E AC H I N G S T Y L E
Grand River Academy was founded in 1831 and is located on 200 acres in Austinburg, Ohio, approximately one hour east of Cleveland. We offer a focused curriculum and a nurturing atmosphere to help each young man reach his full potential. We not only prepare our students for college—proven by our 100 percent college placement rate—but, we also prepare them to be well-rounded people and contributing citizens for the rest of their lives. Grand River Academy has a teacher:student ratio of 1:5 compared to the national school average, which is 1:12, according to boardingschoolreview. com. An average class size of 7 provides personalized attention for each student. Our small class size and total student body capacity of 120 students allows for individual attention and encourages each student to grow and succeed while forming strong relationships. We believe that most boys who are not performing up to their potential deserve a second chance, and Grand River Academy is that opportunity. We provide a structured environment with personal accountability, but also encourage each boy to develop qualities of character, honor, sportsmanship, empathy and passion for life-long learning.
It has been scientifically shown that boys learn differently than girls, and the standard method of teaching in America currently favors female learning styles. Larger portions of a boy’s brain are devoted to spatial-mechanical functioning; so boys both pay attention more and learn more effectively when there are props to add movement and interaction. Boys compartmentalize new information; so it is harder for them to quickly switch subjects. Also, boys have less serotonin in their brains, making them more inclined to act impulsively. They are not as able to sit still and pay attention for long periods of time. Changing the presentation of information to conform to how boys learn shows significant improvements in overall academic success. The bottom line is that we teach in ways our boys learn best. O P T I O N S TO E X P LO R E OT H E R SUB JECTS
In addition to course requirements for graduation, our boys are encouraged to explore the subjects in which they are most interested. In fact, boys who study here are more than twice as likely as boys in coed schools to pursue advanced studies in art, music and foreign languages. A DEEPER SENSE OF SELF
Our boys are free to define for themselves their interests, emotional sensitivity and behaviors, which is much more limited among students at public and/or coed schools. Also, the diversity of positive male role models at Grand River Academy helps young men see that there is no standard personality for young men. This kind of selfacceptance allows our boys to function more effectively within groups and communities, as well as build up personal self-esteem and self-efficacy. YO U N G M E N FO R M L A S T I N G FRIEN D SHIPS
When boys are better able to pursue interests aligned with their own passions, they will engage with others who are also passionate about those subjects. This common ground allows the adolescents who attend our school to forge lasting friendships with their peers as well as with instructors, coaches and staff. 2
SPECIALIZED SUPPORT. Grand River Academy offers specialized support for each student based on their individual needs. Grand River Academy offers specialized support for each student in the form of small class sizes, individualized attention, residential staff, extra help sessions, evening study times, special afternoon study halls, Saturday study sessions and monthly report cards. 3
We also pair every boy with a faculty advisor who remains with the student for his entire time at Grand River Academy. Each advisor group consists of four to six boys to allow close relationships to form. The advisor and the boys in each group eat breakfasts and lunches together during the week and the advisor communicates with the parents or guardians of each student on a weekly basis, which allows for open discussion and creates a true sense of community. We also provide specific programs to further help to provide support to our students, including:
SUPPORT
AT GRAND RIVER ACADEMY
Student Assistance Program
Foundations Learning Program
We are committed to personalized and customized student support at Grand River Academy. An essential part of everyday life is our Student Assistance Program (SAP), which is a service designed to help each student with his emotional or social needs. The SAP allows faculty to identify and work with issues, which could create an obstacle to a student’s learning and success.
The Foundations Learning Program assists students in achieving academic success through the development of essential study skills, as well as through the accommodation of learning differences such as adjusted homework assignments, extended testing time, use of e-books, computers, student tutors and/or study groups. Students participating in the Foundations Learning Program often experience a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence for the first time in their academic career.
Each student individually benefits from the SAP in their own unique way. Some students transition here from various therapeutic, emotional growth and wilderness programs. These students are able to use the SAP to expand upon their growth made at past programs. They begin their work at GRA with a strong support plan in place, which is personalized by the SAP coordinator. The Student Assistance Program encourages the boys to attend weekly “mini-meetings” and monthly dinner support meetings where students are able to discuss personal matters with each other. This impactful program is one of the key reasons that our students are able to have success and gain acceptance into the college of their choice.
Peer Mentorship Program Moving away from home and into a dormitory can be a challenging event for many boys. Each year, a select group of returning students is trained to be peer mentors (big brothers) to new and younger students, helping them acclimate to the Grand River Academy community. These students meet weekly with our counselors and discuss their mentees (little brothers) and how they are helping them adjust. The mentors choose their mentees based on the ability to connect with them. These students go above and beyond to help the new students feel comfortable, accepted and at home while away from their family home.
DA I LY S U P PO RT AC T I V I T I E S OF THE PROGR AM IN CLUD E:
• • • • • • •
Reading and/or comprehension Mathematics Organizational skills Preparing daily assignments Writing papers Reviewing for written and oral exams Preparing for the state exams
AC T I V E L E A R N I N G PRO GR AM
At Grand River Academy, we offer personalized learning support for students with ADHD and mild to moderate learning disabilities. We have introduced an innovative and proven component to the Foundations Learning Program—Educational Kinesiology. With this component, students practice intentional physical movement to address neurologic wiring deficiencies and enhance neurological pathways, which can lead to optimal learning by making up for deficits in an individual’s developmental process. Each class begins with physical exercises and combines various methodologies to predispose boys with ADHD and other learning difficulties to accept and better process information. 4
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. We offer unique learning opportunities. 5
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES EVERYDAY AND IN THE SUMMER
Summer Academy International Student Program International students come to Grand River Academy to learn English and prepare for and gain acceptance into an American university. GRA supports international students of varying English proficiencies with two levels of English as a Second Language (ESL) Ultimately, international students matriculate into all mainstream courses. The English Speaking Partner Program (ESP) pairs international students with a domestic peer. Together they participate in activities throughout the year. This program fosters friendship and camaraderie and is unique to GRA.
Grand River Academy’s Summer Academy is a five-week summer program designed to strengthen a subject area, make up lost credits, improve a particular grade, or prepare for the SAT or ACT exams. A report card with percentage grades will be provided for parents to summarize each student’s progress at the end of each week. The Summer Academy is highly individualized and has an average class size of four students to each faculty member. Students receive personalized attention and benefit from a daily help session, as well as access to faculty living on campus. While it may be more difficult to hone study habits in the summer, our Summer Academy provides the structure and interest to create a successful experience for our students. In addition to a structured academic setting, students are still able to enjoy their summer by participating in a variety of activities including recreational sports, art, swimming and other outdoor water activities. We offer field trips twice per week to places such as Cedar Point Amusement Park, Cleveland Indians baseball games, minor league baseball games, beach trips, fishing on Lake Erie, Niagara Falls, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Zoo and more. We offer options for boarding and day students with all-inclusive fees for: tuition, room and board (when applicable), school supplies, laundry and all activities. 6
PREPARATION FOR COLLEGE. Our goal remains the same for every student — to prepare him for college and the rest of his life. While we focus on the uniqueness of each young man who joins the Grand River Academy family, our goal remains the same for every student—to prepare him for college and the rest of his life using our distinctive 360° approach to develop the total young man: academically, socially and emotionally. 7
We are nationally and internationally recognized for helping young men realize their full potential. Once our students begin the college search and application process, our placement director helps guide each boy. The placement director writes a personal letter about each student. We want the institution to know the student, including his strengths, the challenges he has overcome and how his attributes have made him a better individual. And mostly, we want the schools to know why he should gain acceptance to his top choice. We facilitate a 100% placement rate to the higher education system that is best for each student. Our goal is to find the “perfect match” for each student where his personality, academic abilities and learning style will be accentuated. Annually, Grand River students collectively average more than $400,000 in scholarship money to institutions of higher learning—an astounding amount, considering the majority of the students receiving these honors are young men who often had a rough start in high school. Our students overcome many challenges and are often recognized with scholarships for their potential—both academically and as leaders.
1
2
BOY IS FAILING
PREPARATION FOR COLLEGE AND BEYOND
PARENTS WORRY
LLY EMOTIONA N W A R D H IT W
EXPLORE GRAND RIV ER
SELF LOSING HIM MES IN VIDEO GA
COLLEGES AN D UN IVERSITIES WHERE R ECEN T GR AD UATES HAVE EN ROLLED
VISIONS COLLEGE FAOF DING
START
3 BOY ENR
OLLS
BECOMES MOTIVAT ED R EDISCOVE R SUCCESS S
4 DS BOY FIN S S E C C SU S BECOME D E V L O V IN
E POSITIV FORMS NSHIPS RELATIO
5 BOY WRITES COLLEGE ESSAY EXPLORES OPTIONS
GOAL IS BECOMING A REALITY
6 BOY GRADU ATES ACCEP INTO C TED OLLEG E PR
EPA A BRIG RED FOR HT FUT URE
END
Allegheny University Baylor University Bethany College Boston College Boston University Bucknell University Clarkson University Denver University DePaul University Evergreen State University George Mason University Georgia Tech Howard University Indiana University Johnson & Wales University (RI) Kent State University Lake Erie College Loyola University (LA) McGill University (Canada) Michigan State University New York Institute of Technology New York University North Dakota State University Ohio State University
Ohio University Pace University Penn State University Purdue University Queens College (Canada) Regis University Savannah College of Art & Design Texas Tech Towson University Tulane University University of Colorado University of Dallas University of Illinois University of Miami University of Michigan University of Oregon University of Toronto University of Vermont University of Washington University of Wisconsin Washington and Lee University West Virginia University Youngstown State University
Grand River Academy students also have the opportunity to participate in the Kent State University Post Secondary Option program. The program is designed to provide high school students with access to college level work. College courses taken under the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program are not intended to replace high school course work, but rather to enhance the educational experience. 8
RESIDENTIAL LIFE. With our dedicated mission and small
student population, Grand River Academy has the opportunity to provide an engaging and meaningful residential life program.
9
RESIDENTIAL LIFE AT GRAND RIVER ACADEMY The campus includes five dormitories, each featuring double-occupancy rooms for the students, an apartment for the respective dorm parents and a community common area. Students have access 24 hours a day and seven days a week to the dorm parents. Together, they work collaboratively to foster a sense of community and family. Game nights, movie nights, cookouts and birthday celebrations often contribute to the feeling of community.
During their free time each week, our boys have many options for activities. They can visit the Bud Field Student Center to enjoy snacks at Andy’s Café, play ping-pong, billiards, cards, shuffle board or play music in the music room, among other activities. During “Thursday Night Live,” after evening study hall, boys can visit a “coffee house” where students and faculty perform music, read poetry and display their talents. Students can use the gym, which includes a basketball court, indoor batting cage, weight room and a fitness room. The dorm common areas are available to watch television, play games and relax, while the Gates Library is available to study, check email and do homework. Activities such as tennis, biking, frisbee, golf and bocce are also available for the boys during the week. Weekend life is also an important aspect of Grand River Academy. Students are able to relax in their dorms, enjoy the Student Center or participate in a variety of off-campus activities. 10
SPORTS & CLUBS. The goal for our sports teams is to build
sportsmanship, teamwork, and to facilitate friendship and camaraderie.
11
SPORTS & CLUBS AT GRAND RIVER ACADEMY
Sports
Clubs
To further enhance development of the total young man, Grand River Academy requires each boy to choose a minimum of one extra-curricular activity, either a sport or a club, per season.
Our sports teams participate in the Lake Effect Conference. However, what makes Grand River Academy special is our no-cut policy for sports. We will find a spot for anyone who would like to participate.
Becoming involved on a team or group will assist each student to not only expand and build upon existing talents, but also discover new interests and talents.
FA L L
SPRING
Soccer Cross Country Golf
Baseball Lacrosse Tennis
Peer Mentorship Program National Honor Society Community Service Club Academic Challenge Team Music Club Student Counsel Robotics Team Coffee Club Outdoors Club Ski/Snowboarding Club Recycling Club English Speaking Partner Program Botany & Tree ID Team Chess Club
WINTER
Basketball Wrestling Indoor Soccer Bowling
12
STUDENT PROFILES. The following are profiles of students in each grade at Grand River Academy. These profiles show how the curriculum and activities here help to enable each young man to develop academically, socially and emotionally. 13
STUDENT PROFILES AT GRAND RIVER ACADEMY
Freshman Profile
Junior Profile
Andy, 14, is from Chicago and his interests include soccer, basketball, lacrosse and exploring the outdoors. He came to Grand River Academy because he was having anxiety about entering high school after being picked on and teased by other students at his previous school. He and his parents decided that he needed to be in a small and caring environment in order to achieve his full potential. With the help of the counseling and the peer mentorship programs, Andy was able to overcome his anxiety and earn high school honors.
Jason, 17, is from Pittsburgh and his interests include playing guitar, skateboarding, BMX biking and watching Penn State sports. Jason came to Grand River Academy after his parents noticed a dramatic drop in his grades at his public school. Here, Jason honed his organizational skills and gained confidence that he is capable to doing well in school.
Class Schedule: Introduction to Literature & Composition, Civics, Algebra 1, Earth & Physical Science, Physical Education, Fine Art
Sophomore Profile Marcos, 16, is from Brazil and came here to improve his English skills and fulfill his dream of attending an American university. He enjoys playing soccer, watching movies and Skyping with his family in Brazil. Class Schedule: ESL 2 Listening & Speaking, ESL 2 Grammar & Writing, Communications, US History, Algebra 2, Chemistry
Class Schedule: American Literature & Composition, Honors Pre-Calculus, Chemistry, Spanish 2, Economics / Psychology, Graphic Design / Web Design
Senior Profile Jared, 18, is from Cincinnati and came to GRA because he was struggling with executive functions and ADHD, and was slow in processing the large public high school setting. Class Schedule: European Literature & Composition, Foundations Learning Program, Introduction to College Algebra, Principles of Government, a Forensics/Robotics, and Creative Writing/Lifestyle Fitness 14
At Grand River Academy,
WE DEVELOP THE TOTAL YOUNG MAN Academically, Socially and Emotionally
To learn more or to schedule an on-campus visit, contact us today at 440.275.2811 or admissions@grandriver.org.