"After our daughter left the wilderness program, she needed a place to continue her growth. We were lucky enough to find Greenbrier Academy. There, she has been able to develop her self-discipline skills, understand the true meaning and importance of relationships, and improve in her academic achievement."

The Greenbrier Distinction

There are certain things that are found in common with most therapeutic boarding schools. Generally, the staff members of each school will be dedicated, sincere individuals, the grounds will be nice, the curriculum will be adequate and therapeutics will be available to students and families.  But what distinguishes one school from another? 

One of the main differences that sets Greenbrier Academy apart is how we integrate our philosophy and therapeutics throughout all aspects of student life. That philosophy is based in helping young women develop worthwhile, uplifting and virtuous relationships with their peers, their families, themselves, their community and with the world around them. The influence of this philosophy is the basis of many of the activities that take place on and off campus, such as: campus-community service projects, equine therapy and horsemanship classes, student leadership positions, membership in performance groups, international service trips (most recently to Ghana), local community service projects, classroom presentations, home visits, and family programs.

All of these activities are focused on helping our students learn and acquire the tools they need to foster quality relationships as an end within itself, not as a token or a means to an end. For this reason, there is a great deal of focus on campus regarding the nature of our community and campus culture. One will find girls reaching out to each other to support and include those in the community who are struggling. 

The atmosphere of continuity also creates a more traditional boarding school feeling. The students are afforded many privileges as they gain trust in themselves, from their peers, their families and staff. Just like a regular college prep school, students can be found reading books under trees, taking walks by themselves or with friends, playing sports outside, or studying for classes. Also, students often are able to quickly begin work with their families to resolve past hurts and rebuild meaningful, virtuous, familial relationships. Because of this rebuilding process, visiting parents and families can often be found on campus during family programs or during less formal visits.

Another distinction is the amount of time and energy spent on helping girls explore their interests by participating in field trips, dressage shows, service projects, artistic performances, or other student driven excursions. We believe in exposing our students to as many culturally and intellectually stimulating experiences as their schedules allow. We have students who go to Washington D.C. to visit museums, Staunton, Virginia to attend Shakespearian plays, North Carolina to compete in equine competitions, and Ghana, Africa to assist in service projects. We also try to accommodate musical interests by helping parents contract with local instructors in guitar, piano, cello, etc. who visit the school to give private lessons. It is a wonderful thing to watch our students grow and help provide them the chance to explore their passions.

We invite you to visit and see for yourself. Ask our students questions, let them show you around. We think you will agree that Greenbrier Academy is a uniquely wonderful place.  Finally, we invite you to ask about the results of our formal assessments of therapeutic success.  We recommend talking to parents and professionals who have had students at Greenbrier, talking to graduates themselves, and inquiring into our alumni program, created to keep our graduates communicating and supporting one another.