My son attended Shepherd's Hill Academy for one year. We had explored every option possible with medication, with counseling, with other school settings and nothing was working. Our lives had become unmanageable. Sending our son away for a year was the hardest thing we ever did, but it was also the BEST thing we ever did. We will be forever grateful to the staff at SHA for helping us get our son back. I know life at SHA was not easy for him; it was hard, hard work - physically and emotionally. He did work at SHA I didn't think he was capable of, yet he persevered and now has a confidence and maturity about him that I don't think he would have ever achieved had he not attended. Most importantly, everything they do has an underlying biblical principle to it. I know it's hard to discern who to believe when you read reviews online. I can only tell you my review is real, heartfelt, and grounded in the truth. The only other caveat is that you, the parent/guardian has to be willing to put in just as much work as your child to achieve real change. God bless SHA, all those who came before me, and hopefully all those who attend after us. read more

As the parent of a student that attended here in 2023 for one full year I highly recommend Shepherds Hill Academy. Kids today are struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression, screen addiction and drug addiction. If your kid is in crisis with one of these challenges then SHA may be a great option. Too many kids are over medicated and in endless counseling but are not getting better. SHA is not a 3 month wilderness program, it is not a quick fix. SHA is a full year program that builds self worth and confidence. The staff are all professional, caring and positive, they work hard for the best outcome of the kids. Sending my kid to SHA was a hard decision. It was 100% the right decision but at first I was unsure. Parents considering SHA should call the school and get to know them better. That step and talking to other parents whose kids had previously attended helped me make my decision. I highly recommend getting first-hand accounts from families that have completed the program. I have seen a few negative comments about SHA, I have personally witnessed nothing at all as described in those accounts. read more

We were at the end of our rope and all of the professional help we were receiving locally were doing all they could do even though my daughters condition was getting worse and worse. A long term therapeutic school with Christian values was needed. I eventually found Shepherds Hill Academy (SHA) to be Christian not only in name, but in their beliefs and the way the program is structured. The staff is extremely dedicated to serving the Lord by serving you and your child. I found the program to be well structured, yet not so rigid that they are legalistic. The staff draws very clear boundaries and the students are well aware of it. The teachers are great for their day-to day studies and really work with the students to help them succeed. Do your own homework on any place you choose to send your child and ask the Lord to help guide through this process. It is a difficult process and a very challenging time emotionally for you. SHA is equipped to help you navigate these difficult waters. I am forever grateful to all of the staff at SHA for their service and dedication. read more

Hi, my name is Bailee and I was at Shepherds Hill for about 15 months. It sounds like forever, but flew by so quickly. I believe that SHA can change lives dramatically! I went to 2 other programs before SHA and this program is the best by far. Shepherds Hill Academy has supported me through a lot of bad areas in my life and helped me find who I really am! On October 29th 2017 I got saved and I wouldn't trade Shepherds Hill or God for the world. At first, I hated it. I didn't want anything to do with the place for the first 6 or 7 months, but now I want to be there all the time I miss all the loving staff and girls who were with me through a lot of ups and downs. The great Godly examples that the staff were blew my mind and I appreciate them tremendously. Shepherds Hill Academy, even though I wasn't a Christian before, was truly an answer to prayer. And I pray it is for anyone else who is looking to send their child or is already there God Bless y'all. read more

11 years ago, I rated SHA positively for the life changes they made in my son in 2008-2009. Fifteen years since his stay at SHA, and his life continues to show positive evidence of the seeds planted at SHA at that critical time in his youth. He is now the father of 4, married 11 years. He supervises an earthmoving crew that works almost exclusively on the marine base where he actively served. Under his leadership, his crew has distinguished themselves by their daily habit of morning Bible study and prayer. They caught management's attention about a year ago, when their typical every-man-for-himself behavior amazingly transformed into a team attitude -- every member puts others ahead of himself (Phil 2:2-8). I continue to give thanks to God that He led us to SHA. I have supported their continuing efforts over the years. I still wholeheartedly recommend Shepherds Hill Academy, even as Trace Embry is passing the torch to Allison Wallace. read more

Our daughter spent 18 months at Shepherds Hill Academy. We were in crisis mode as our daughter was diagnosis with borderline personality disorder. Her actions were horrific on multiple occasions, and it nearly destroyed our family. CPS almost took our other daughter away because of her false lies. Shepherd's Hill Academy was willing to come along side of us as we were exhausted mentally, physically, and spiritually. Everything they did was of high excellence. Even when our daughter got in trouble, they would let us know. The correction was appropriate and needed. They taught the truth, were structured, and very transparent in all matters. It's not easy being in ministry and on the front lines where others are critical of you. Shepherds Hill stood on the front lines for our kids! Bravo to the staff for their incredible service - your treasure will be in heaven and not on this earth. read more

Shepherds Hill Academy saved my son's life. We will be forever in their debt. I am sure that some come out not as well as or son, but we were blown away by the quality of people that were staffed there and the dedication they showed our kids. Trace Embry and his family are true sacrificial heroes willing to stand against the insanity of the woke agenda. My guess is the reddit extremely negative reviews are at least partly driven by activists. We didn't witness any of the allegations and considered sending more of our kids as the world has come against them with social media and addiction to distraction. This generation of kids have shown so many signs of extreme loneliness and depression. The world isn't working for them. Trace Embry was willing to stand against that culture and bring back sanity. read more

The people that own and run this establishment(and most of their staff) are abusive bullies who brainwash, emotionally, physically, and verbally abuse, and starve children. They pick people apart in a cruel and non-constructive way. I can not stress enough, just talk to your child like they are a person, or send them to a wildernes survival camp over this place, military school would be a delight after that evil, manipulative, cruel, contemptible place of horror. It is truly dehumanizing, in order to survive you have to go along with what they expect from you and their methods to that end are torturous and inhumane. If I could give it a negative star rating I would give it minus stars. read more

Through the MANY hours of "Googling", searching, calling, reviewing. Nothing compares to the whole package we have found with Shepherd's Hill Academy. First and most important it is Christian-founded. You absolutely cannot find a better place. They have a structured environment, 24/7 supervision, and the most loving and caring staff! Their desire is for these teens to take responsibility for their own choices, stop blaming everyone else for their problems, and learn to truly live an abundant life that God wants to bless them with. Our son has been at SHA for almost four months now. We have seen a huge difference already! We are so blessed to have found SHA! read more

I graduated Shepherd's Hill Academy on December of 2023. Halfway into my stay, I turned 18 and became a legal adult, but I decided to stay, anyway. Shepherd's Hill Academy is a mixed bag, no doubt-- and it's perfectly understandable to not enjoy it at all times, but it has genuinely changed my life. I am so grateful for the time I have spent there, and for all of the staff, and the therapists. The program managers have ceaselessly listened to me with all of my complaints and quickly made changes to accommodate. To any parent seeking a safe haven to send their child, in spite of it's flaws, I wouldn't gI've my time spent there for anything. read more

We began our search for a place that could help our son who struggled with a myriad of emotional concerns who had virtually dropped out of school. Our options were an in-patient facility who put us on a waiting list and other therapeutic boarding schools who turned us down because of his issues. From the moment I first called Shepherd's Hill and spoke with the founders wife I knew this was where our son needed to be. Now ten months later he will graduate six months early with academic scores over a 3.5 average and best of all a firm handle on life, a growing affection for Christ and hope for a promising future. Five stars is not enough... read more

The thing that I have found that I really like about Shepherd's Hill Academy is the high staff to student ratio. They always have plenty of staff ready to help at any time. They will help your son with his struggles whether they are academic, emotional, or behavioral. They offer counseling and spiritual guidance. If you are looking for a program for for son, Shepherd's Hill Academy has a strong track record of helping families and their teens. read more

We have been supporting this school for several years. It is a special school for special children, run by special people. With a very low budget, they impact the lives of these children which otherwise have no hope. The Love the staff and the management express for these children is exemplary. Way to go! Christian read more

If you are a parent who has a troubled or struggling teen, Shepherd's Hill Academy is a place where you can find hope, help, and healing. It is a place where your child will heal, change, and grow. The staff and everything about Shepherd's Hill Academy is designed for healing for the teen and the whole family. read more

The only thing that would do this place a service is if it was shut down. Christian nationalists that seek to control, brainwash, and create minions of their religious propaganda - a program founded by a delusional ex cop whose narcissism has led him to believe he is some sort of blessed-by-god cult leader. read more