Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas

Wellspring Academies are the world’s only weight loss boarding schools for overweight teens and young adults. Students gain skills and motivation to transform their lifestyle while residing on one of our campuses and continuing their middle school, high school, or college education. Wellspring students achieve amazing results, even if they have tried a wide variety of teen weight loss programs without success in the past.

Academics   Student Living   Activities   Directors

Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas

Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas (formerly Academy of the Sierras North Carolina) opened in February 2007. It is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, 35 miles southwest of Asheville.

The Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas campus is 220 acres on a beautiful mountain lake and bordered by over 2 million acres of public lands, including National Forests, State Parks and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

Location: Brevard, North Carolina
Children and teens ages 11-18
Grades 7 through 12.
Pick-up available from Asheville (AVL) and Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP) airports.

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Academic Program at Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas

Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas is committed to providing an academic atmosphere that fosters personal growth and teaches students to excel in all areas of their lives. The academic program challenges students to develop the analytical and decision-making skills to successfully meet weight loss and academic goals, regardless of their previous success at traditional schools. Faculty work with students to develop individualized educational plans that help transfer the positive momentum of weight loss into students’ academic lives.

With an academic curriculum accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Academic Department works closely with students’ home schools to assist with transfer of credits to and from Wellspring. Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas provides individualized tutoring and is able to work with students who have IEPs.

Recent reviews of academic performance showed that student grade point averages improved 27.5% over the most recently completed semester at home. This is attributed, in part, to the smaller classroom sizes as well as personalized attention every student receives.

Curriculum at Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas

The Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas core curriculum meets North Carolina and national standards as students are required to take a full load of core courses each semester. Courses are designed to prepare students for a return to their home school or college. In addition to standard academic coursework, culinary, nutrition and fitness courses are required in support of students’ ongoing weight loss. All courses are taught by members of the Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas Faculty.

As their confidence and self-esteem improve through continued weight loss, many students begin to develop new skills and interests. Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas offers a wide range of electives to nurture this growing enthusiasm. Electives may include foreign languages, performing arts, media, debate, horticulture, hip-hop culture, visual arts, leadership, animal care, photography and independent projects. All courses are taught by members of the Wellspring Faculty, with availability of electives dependent on current student population needs.

Student Living at Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas

Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas recognizes that the quality of life experienced by students is extremely important to their overall success. Many students arrive having felt socially isolated and lonely at their home school. At Wellspring, students are surrounded by peers who understand their struggle and are immersed in an environment that supports their weight loss and academic success at every turn.

Students live in renovated mountain lodges. There is one lodge for boys, and one for girls. Rooms range from 2 to 8 students to a room, depending on the size of the room. Full bathrooms are adjacent to each room.

Activities at Wellspring Academies of the Carolinas

Many parents report a growing concern about their child’s lack of physical activity as a major reason for choosing Wellspring. The scientifically-based Activity Management program ensures that Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas students achieve an unprecedented level of activity – starting at 10,000 steps per day (as measured on a pedometer), but often exceeding 20,000 (approx. 10 miles of walking).

An unparalleled range of activities are available at Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas. We also enjoy the exceptional parks and recreational areas available off-campus, providing additional opportunities for students to explore new skills and interests. Activities on and off campus include:

Directors

Susan Borgman, LCSW, Clinical Director of Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas. Susan brings over 20 years of experience providing counseling and encouragement to children and their families in a variety of settings including schools, community mental health agencies and family therapy organizations. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida and is a licensed clinical social worker in North Carolina and New Hampshire. Susan has studied nutrition, exercise and healthy living throughout her career and incorporated this knowledge into counseling children, adolescents and families. Building self esteem, personal responsibility, respect for self and others and a positive attitude using cognitive behavioral and client centered therapy are a cornerstone of Susan’s therapeutic practice. Susan enjoys basketball, volleyball, softball, hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding as part of an active, healthy lifestyle.

Jeff Rice is the Program Director of Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas. Prior to taking his position at Wellspring Academy Jeff was a Physical Education teacher and coached both High School Football and Wrestling with the Transylvania County school system for seventeen years. Jeff was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina and has lived here in Brevard his entire life. Jeff grew up actively evolved in sports such as wresting and football. Jeff earned a bachelors degree in Physical Education at Pembroke State University where he also participated in competitive wrestling. Jeff enjoys spending time with his family and following all three of his children in their own sports programs. Jeff believes that everyone can reach their personal goals with hard work and determination.

William Porter is Academic Director of Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas. Bill has dedicated many years working with youth of all ages. Bill is a certified teacher with a Master’s degree in Secondary Education Methods and his BS in Anthropology. Before formally entering the field of education he served as an archaeologist for the University of Oregon, and prior to that in the U.S. Army for 4 ½ years. Bill believes that all children are capable of learning and worthy of top-notch instruction that centers on building mutual bonds of respect and dignity.



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