Pendleton Academies - Success Stories

Every day we see children improve, grow, learn to respect themselves and others, and learn to replace healthy behaviors for destructive behaviors. Here are some sample stories from children who have been treated at Pendleton Academies and returned home. We respect the privacy of all the children at Pendleton Academies, so names and specific circumstances have been changed to protect their privacy.

Michael was just ten years old when he came to us from Seattle, Washington to Pendleton Academies. Intelligent, shy and small for his age, Michael's father had died of cancer two months earlier and his mother was not coping well with his loss. Michael was also doing poorly in school and had expressed thoughts of suicide. At the time, he was living with his grandparents, who were making every attempt to make him happy. After he threatened to kill himself with a kitchen knife at his school, Michael was admitted to Pendleton Academies.

At Pendleton, teachers in our private school offered Michael support, therapists helped him deal with his grief about his father, and doctors worked with Michael and his family to prescribe the proper medication. At the suggestion of Michael's team, his mother also sought help from a therapist. Michael began taking karate classes at a local athletic club and, as he gained confidence and self-esteem, his outlook on life gradually improved. His mother also made progress and they began to have overnight visits, continuing to meet with Pendleton’s therapists. After three months, Michael moved back home with his mother. Now, Michael's mom is back to work and Michael is enrolled in a public school and getting good grades. While Michael's family still grieves their loss, they are finally together and supporting one another.

A sixteen-year-old girl with bright green eyes, pale skin, and dark hair, Justine came to us a little over a year ago with very poor self-esteem. Adopted later in childhood, Justine had spent the majority of her life in the foster care system; from the age of three, she lived in 13 different foster homes and in six different residential treatment facilities. Justine’s mother had suffered from bipolar disorder and her father was abusive; Justine was often left home alone without food or electricity. The courts had determined that Justine’s parents were not fit to be her guardians and Justine was adopted by a caring couple at the age of 10.

When she arrived at Pendleton four years later, Justine still did not believe in herself and was convinced success was impossible, especially with school. At the time, Justine had not earned any credits towards her high school diploma. With the care and support of Pendleton Academies staff, Justine slowly learned to value herself and to believe she could succeed in life. Gradually, she started caring more about her appearance, began to earn good grades in her classes, and enrolled in a GED studies program. Last spring, Justine graduated from her study program and earned her GED. Still under 18 years of age, she remained at Pendleton Academies and enrolled in a local college. She plans to earn her bachelors degree in theatre arts. Justine is now succeeding in all aspects of her life and feels confident about her future. She is grateful to her adoptive family for recognizing her special needs and hopes to return home after her first year in college to complete her college education closer to her parents.

A 15-year-old boy who delighted in teasing others and acting out to get a laugh, Tony also had fits of anger when he lost control. When Tony was young, his biological parents had issues with alcohol and fought constantly. On top of his family difficulties, Tony was molested after kindergarten by a neighbor, but refused to discuss his feelings about it. When he was seven years old, Tony's mother left his father and Tony lived on and off with his father Ted and his paternal grandmother. Three years ago, Ted remarried. Tony disliked his stepmother Louise and created tension at home by speaking rudely to her and refusing her directions. He seemed not to care about anyone or anything.

Tony came to Pendleton Academies from California after being charged with assaulting the principal of his school. Tony had a long history of bad behavior in school, was on an IEP for a learning disability, and had been suspended several times. He had also been in trouble with the police for shop lifting. Tony was admitted to Pendleton Academies and began therapy with his treatment team. Tony’s participation in Pendleton's Equine Assisted Therapy Program was the turning point for him. He formed a special bond with Jordy, a large, black thoroughbred horse and spent hours caring for the animal and talking to him. Soon after, Tony began to talk to his therapist more openly. As he discussed his feelings about his abuse, Tony let go of the blame and guilt he had always felt and his anger seemed to melt away.

With the help of Pendleton’s teachers, Tony learned strategies for managing his learning disability and he felt less embarrassed about his studies and began to excel in school. As his communication skills improved, Tony discussed his feelings with his parents in family therapy sessions and he began to develop a good relationship with his stepmother. Ted was greatly relieved that he no longer had to choose between his son and his wife. Now, Tony is in school and living at home with Ted and Louise. The entire family reports a successful outcome.

According to questionaire responses we received during 2005 from families of recently discharged children:

Here are a few quotes from families with children who have been at Pendleton Academies:

“Pendleton Academies offered my child the skills that allow him to handle everyday frustrations.”

“The overall support and communication – for mom and child – was great.”

“All the staff and administration, plus the treatment, were very responsive and appropriate. I feel it was a very good program for my daughter.”