For Parents
Is the Penikese Island School Right for Your Son?
Frustration. Anger. Despair. These are the typical emotions we encounter from parents of our students. They have “tried everything” to get their son to turn away from a life that might include a disregard for studies, violence, substance abuse or resentment. Often, the Penikese Island School is their last hope for a future for their child.
Our pledge to you is to do all that we can to help your son learn to modify and control his own behavior, and to choose to pursue a positive role in your family and in society. A combination of academic work and intense personal counseling helps each of our students to adapt, adjust and learn to channel their impulses into more acceptable actions. We don’t work on your son, we work with him.
Parental involvement is a critical part of a successful stay for each of our students. Your support must be unwavering, yet your commitment to the program must remain firm. There will be long periods of separation from your son. New students must spend a minimum of six weeks on the island before they become eligible for a home visit. After that, students who are making satisfactory progress can earn a “home pass” every two weeks.
You are encouraged to visit Penikese to observe the progress your son is making, and to consult with teachers and administrators. It is important that we work with you to set expectations for your son during his stay at the school and after graduation from Penikese.
We can make a difference.
The level of accomplishment your son will attain here at Penikese depends on his own effort and attitude. But remember: We’ve worked with hundreds of young men and achieved some remarkable successes. Here are just a few…
