Prior to being sent to The Family School, my life revolved around alcohol and drugs, boys, self-mutilation, and anything that helped me escape reality. My addictions took over my life and I pushed away my family to protect my disease.
I did not have the hardest life growing up, but my family did have issues. When I was two my father fell and broke his spinal cord. It was hard knowing that my dad was different than other kids' dads, and in elementary school I started acting out by fighting and being defiant.
When I arrived at The Family School, I was arriving at my third high school since the 10th grade. I was self-centered, violent, and truly hurting. From drugs to relationships, I was always ready to sacrifice who I was for whatever would take the focus off me.
I was a typical spoiled brat before I got sent to The Family School. My life consisted only of guys and parties. At the age of sixteen, I thought it was normal to stay out all night partying and going to clubs and bars.
Valentine's Day lost its romance after I was arrested with my girlfriend that day two years ago. Consequently, my parents decided to do something about my deceitful, destructive, and deadend lifestyle.
Before arriving at The Family School, I did whatever I wanted and didn't care about the consequences. At home I didn't do anything in school for two years and then got sent to a rehab and got kicked out.
At home I was a monster. I was thrown out of class almost daily, picked fights, got involved in abusive relationships, and was violent towards my family. They finally had enough of my outbursts and disrespect, and sent me to wilderness.
Before I got to The Family School I was involved with drugs and crime, and I did whatever I wanted to do. I was not going to school, and I was fighting against my family and everyone else that got on the way of me getting what I wanted.
Every time I think of my stay at The Family School, I think of how weird it is that I came without substance abuse. I reflect on the fact of how bad I had to be to get here, and realize I was just that.
As parents, we all have hopes and dreams for our children....
![]() |
We want to see them grow up, mature, develop their talents and potential and become happy, responsible adults. So when they encounter problems along the way-problems we can't solve for them-we suffer too.
If you are reading this, chances are you're looking for help for a troubled teenager struggling with behavioral and emotional difficulties, including academic underachievement, substance abuse, depression and mood disorders, eating disorders, promiscuity, ADHD, ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), compulsive use of computers, cutting or other self-destructive behavior.
We applaud you for taking the big first step: recognizing that a problem exists and that your home environment may not be the best place to solve it.
We know this is a difficult time, and that you have an important decision to make. We hope this site provides the information you need to make it.
The Family Foundation School has guided thousands of troubled teens toward responsible adulthood with character education that includes the 12-Step program of recovery and its spiritual principles, rigorous academics including special academic support where needed, psychological counseling, and a strong and experienced faculty and staff. We have healed families and restored the hopes and dreams of countless parents. We can restore yours, too.
The Family Foundation School: A program since 1977, a school since 1987.
Middle States Association of Colleges
and Secondary Schools:
The Family Foundation School is accredited by the MSA and meets MSA standards for growth and improvement.
National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs:
The Family Foundation School adheres to the NATSAP Ethical Principles and Principles of Good Practice. Charter Member.