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Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions. If you have specific questions that are not addressed here, or if you would like to speak with someone about your troubled teen, please click here.
- Where are you located?
- What is your statement of faith?
- How long is your program?
- What age must my child be to attend your program?
- Do you accept females?
- What forms of financial assistance are available?
- Do you accept teens that are aggressive/on medication/have attention difficulties (ADD, ADHD)?
- Do you accept court-ordered teens?
- May a student be expelled from your program?
- What is your policy on communication between parents and students?
- What is your policy on communication between parents and program directors?
- Are students allowed to leave the premises?
- Are students allowed to bring and/or play a musical instrument?
- Are students allowed to participate in recreational activities?
- What security measures do you take?
- What is your policy on runaways?
- What is your student-staff ratio?
- Is there a hospital near the facility?
- Is orthodontia/dental care available?
- Do you take teens to doctor visits?
- What is your definition of success?
Although our students come from accross the United States, we are located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast between Louisiana and Alabama near the Florida panhandle). We are located in Gautier (pronounced Go-Shay) Mississippi, about an hour east of New Orleans, Louisiana and an hour west of Mobile, Alabama.
Although we are an interdenominal organization, we do share a system of core beliefs. We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the diety of Jesus Christ, God's only son, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; the vicarious death of Jesus Christ for our sins through which we recieve eternal life; the bodily resurrection and personal return of Jesus Christ; the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration; and the Bible as the inspired, infallible Word of God.
As a very general rule of thumb, our program is one year in length. However, the actual length of the program will vary with each student. For example, if a student demonstrates a true and lasting change of heart after only eight months, we would inform the parents that the student no longer needs behavioral intervention. On the other hand, some students need more than one year before changes become permanent. With parental consent, some students voluntarily choose to remain at Accendo until graduation.
We accept students from age 12 to 17.
No, we do not accept females at this time.
In the vast majority of cases, the only form of available financial assistance is a Sallie Mae Student Loan. In rare circumstances, we are able to offer student aid in the form of reduced tuition expenses. However, this is on a very limited basis, and these positions typically remain filled.
Generally, yes. All of our students are screened on an individual basis, but many of our admitted students have had a history of these problems.
Generally, yes. However, all our students are screened on an individual basis.
Yes, a student may be expelled from our program. This usually occurs when the student exhibits an tendency to endanger themselves or others.
We encourage and facilitate open communication between parents and students. In fact, one of our primary goals is to help parents and their teens re-connect with one another. However, in the rare situation where parental contact is proving to be a hindrance to the teens progress, parental communication may be suspended for a short time.
We keep parents fully informed of the teen's progress and academic standing. We are available to talk to parents at any time.
Yes, but only in very well-monitored situations. This is a privilege that may be lost. Please see the Social Compenents page of our troubled teen program for more information about the types of activities that we allow.
Yes, but under no circumstances will the student be permitted to use that instrument to play inappropriate music. In the past, music instruction has been available intermittently to teach students to play their instrument in a praise and worship setting.
Yes, we believe that good, clean fun is a deterrent to the self-destructive behaviors in which some teens get involved. We encourage teens to participate in music and athletic activities (volleyball, flag football, baseball, basketball, boxing, golf). Our students are allowed to interact with other teens in supervised environments. We also schedule recreational events for deserving students.
We have 24-hour on-site supervision.
This has not been a problem in the past. However, in the rare event that a student runs away, we contact the local police and personally conduct an extensive search for the teen. Parents are notified of the situation and will be responsible to notify us if they learn of the student's whereabouts. Parents are responsible to fully assist in locating the student.
We generally try to keep the student-staff ratio at below 10:1.
Yes, there is a hospital within 5-10 miles of the facility.
Yes, with parental consent.
Yes, with parental consent.
We believe that a lasting change is brought about by a change of heart and not by mere behavior modification. To that end, we seek first and foremost to bring a teen into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. For more about our mission, please see Our Mission.
