In general, we serve troubled teens [teens in crisis] struggling with:

* Digital, Internet, Video Game, Cell Phone Addictions
* ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
* ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
* DTD (Developmental Trauma Disorder)
* PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
* Self Harm and Cutting
* Depression and Anxiety
* High-Functioning ASD (formerly called Asperger’s)
* Anger, Rebellion, and Running Away
* Narcissism and Entitlement issues
* Loss of Educational Status or Motivation (school expulsion or dropping grades)
* Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorders
* Adoption/Attachment Issues
* Other behavioral, conduct, and emotional disorders that are causing problems for the teen’s future.
* Victims of abuse
* Trauma

Learn more about Who We Treat.

The unique therapeutic structure of Shepherd’s Hill Academy consistently provides a safe, loving environment for change and healing. The Shepherd’s Hill Academy Team provides 24/7 care while maintaining a 5:1 student-to-staff ratio. Each team member models the love of Christ, provides adequate teachable moments in life’s lessons, implements accountability measures to enhance character development, and ensures your child succeeds in meeting his or her therapeutic goals. Shepherd’s Hill Academy accomplishes this through ongoing individual and group counseling, as well as it’s many therapeutic programs. Also, a “Home Covenant” is created with each student and their family to implement healthy boundaries, house rules, behavior expectations, etc. that the family agrees on upon their dismissal of the program.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy is comprised of a passionate and highly qualified Administrative Team, a certified Therapeutic Team, a dedicated Boys and Girls Residential Team, and a first-class Education Team. When necessary, Shepherd’s Hill Academy works with outside professionals such as doctors, physical therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, tutors, and lay members to help meet your teen’s individual needs.

Upon enrollment, we provide a schedule with specific dates and times which gives you opportunities to communicate with your child. This includes emails and letters, telephone calls, video conferences, and personal visitations. In addition, you may visit or call our Administrative Team during our office hours to discuss any questions regarding your child.

Yes, Shepherd’s Hill Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is licensed by the State of Georgia through the Department of Human Services (DHS) and accredited through the Georgia Association of Christian Schools. Academics are accredited through the State of Georgia and the Georgia Accrediting Commission. Therapeutic portions of our program may be covered by your health insurance. Please ask our admissions team to learn more.

Scholarships are sometimes available via the Shepherd’s Hill Academy scholarship fund. Friends and relatives can also donate to the Shepherd’s Hill Academy scholarship fund, which offers tax benefits to the donor(s). For more information, visit our Financial Options Page.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy provides 24/7 direct supervision with a 5 to 1 student-to-staff ratio. Should a crisis arise, Shepherd’s Hill Academy has an on-campus Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) that ensures the well-being of each student. The CIT members receive proper emergency training and conduct monthly safety drills with our students. The Residential Team is also thoroughly trained and certified in Crisis Intervention, Behavior Management, First Aid and life-saving techniques, CPR, and Red Cross Lifeguard water safety. Shepherd’s Hill Academy has a campus nurse for non-emergency medical needs, and we are 911 accessible. Shepherd’s Hill Academy is a licensed Outdoor Child Care Program through the Georgia Department of Human Services and complies with all its rules and regulations.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy offers a private academy that is fully accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission and meets the course requirements for the Georgia Department of Education Curriculum. Our Principal and Education Team give our students individualized attention and work with them to create a class schedule customized to meet their specific academic needs. We also offer SAT and ACT preparation and testing, advanced placement and college preparation courses, individualized goal planning, small class sizes, and unique extracurricular activities.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy is in Martin, Georgia. Martin is approximately 85 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, which is located in the low foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The private pay all-inclusive tuition of our program is $10,800 per month at Shepherd’s Hill Academy. Program tuition can often be offset by insurance, discounts or scholarships.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy works very closely with families on the tuition costs for our program. Please call and speak directly to a member of our admissions team to discuss our discount policy, verification of your insurance benefits and final tuition rates.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin (ancestry), or disability in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students. Shepherd’s Hill Academy admits students of any religion, race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

However, Shepherd’s Hill Academy is an evangelical, non-denominational, Bible-believing, and Christ-honoring ministry. It is not directly affiliated with any one evangelical church or denomination, nor does it receive support from any one denomination. We do not discriminate against the religious preference or race of any student we enroll.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube & Vimeo. Please review our Social Media Communication and Comment Policy. This policy also pertains to our Shepherd’s Hill Academy Blog and the License to Parent with Trace Embry radio program website and its Social Media sites.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy accepts students between the ages of 12 and 17. Shepherd’s Hill Academy provides open enrollment with acceptance available year-round. Students enrolled in Shepherd’s Hill Academy will be enrolled in the academic, therapeutic and wilderness components of our all-inclusive program.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy may enroll students who will turn 18 during the end of their 12-month stay in the program. Students 18 and older are typically not accepted, but our team can refer your student to a program best suited to meet their individual needs.

Yes. Shepherd’s Hill Academy’s small class sizes, 5:1 student to staff ratio, on-site teachers and on-site principal create an ideal environment for students who are failing or have dropped out of school. Teachers, staff, and the principal meet frequently to determine individualized goals and measures of success for each student. They will work directly with the parents to establish a plan for the student’s success in the program and to best prepare them for a successful future.

Because Shepherd’s Hill Academy is accredited by the State of Georgia, abiding by the Georgia Standards of Academic Excellence, we are able to offer a college preparatory high school diploma. This diploma will look no different than a diploma received at any other high school within the state of Georgia and will not hold any negative repercussions as the student applies to college.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy is accredited in the state of Georgia and our credits will transfer. We make every effort to create a seamless process in transferring credits and classes for all our students.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy is an on-site academy that staffs teachers and teacher’s aides in the classrooms. There are completely separate boy and girl academic programs, fully staffed with members of our team. We also have a principal on campus to work with students, address goals, and assist in creating individualized plans of success.

Yes. Teachers work with our principal to create individualized plans for students. Parents, therapists, and residential staff all work collaboratively in creating these plans. Every student has an individualized plan for success.

Our 5:1 student to staff ratio at Shepherd’s Hill Academy allows students to receive individualized attention in the classroom that they need to succeed. Teacher’s aides are also able to provide guidance and assistance in the classroom where needed.

IEPs are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. They are reviewed by our team during the admission process.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy offers a variety of options to students who excel academically. We offer assigned on-site electives. We also offer Dual Enrollment (online) classes through a local 4-year college. Students are also encouraged, but not required, to make visits to various colleges, speak with recruiters, or explore other career options as part of our program. SAT/ACT prep and transportation to testing is also available for students.

Yes. All SHA students are required to wear khakis and a nice shirt for class.

Proof of our accreditation can be found online on the Georgia Accreditation Commission under the Educational Agencies with Special Purposes link.

Yes. We do offer the counsel for future college plans to students wishing to continue their education at a postsecondary academic institution once they leave Shepherd’s Hill. Dual enrollment is also available to students who wish to pursue postsecondary academics. Students are encouraged to visit and apply to colleges during their time in our program. Eighty percent of our high school seniors attend a postsecondary institution after graduation.
We also work with students who wish to enter the workforce to determine a plan of success for their future. We encourage speaking with professionals in their field, research, and thorough plan development.

Yes. We do encourage students to take the SAT or ACT tests during their time at our program. SAT/ACT preparation is available for our students. We will also sign students up for testing dates and transport them to testing locations.

Any student meeting the eligibility requirements under HOPE scholarship are eligible. Our staff will work to assist students in applying for all eligible scholarships when applicable. For more information on this particular topic, please visit the Georgia Futures Website.

The class sizes at Shepherd’s Hill Academy are very small, maintaining the 5:1 student-to-staff ratio. Students learn in a regular class with other students. We feel this encourages better understanding for the students because it creates class discussion by including many different people with differing experiences

As with the rest of our campus, we continue a 5:1 student-to-staff ratio in the classroom. There are no more than 5 students per teacher or teacher’s aide, which means students receive the attention they both deserve and need.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy grades on a 4.0 scale.

Yes. Shepherd’s Hill Academy uses thinkwave.com as a portal for parents to view their child’s academic progress. Staff also prepare parent reports concerning the student’s overall program success, which may also include academics.

Parents receive correspondence concerning their child through a variety of methods. Email communication is open to parents at any time. Parents can also talk directly with the teachers during parent conference events held twice a year (in the spring and fall). Parents also receive parent reports through the residential team concerning the students’ overall progress in the program.