|
Our son began attending RESCU Academy in September of 2005. He was battling severe depression that was compounded by poor academic performance. He just seemed crushed by the world around him despite years of psychiatric help and our ongoing efforts to have San Diego Unified School District provide a proper learning environment for him. We had just finished a whole battery of learning disability testing to prepare, once again, to do battle with SDUSD regarding his I.E.P. when we were hit with the worst news we could have heard. All the professionals had come to the same conclusion - our son was spiraling downward and they feared he might attempt suicide. Dr. Sara Frampton recommended immediate placement at RESCU Academy. Within a week we had him enrolled. I was impressed with the no nonsense attitude of Cheryl and Art and Cheryl's apparent desire to reduce a child's dependence on medications to the minimum amount necessary.
Frankly, I had reached a point where I wanted to take my son off all his medications. They seemed to have piled in on top of one another over the years and I had lost track of who he was without them. I thought some of the medications might in fact be causing some of his problems. I was angry that the medications were prescribed by doctors who only saw our son once or twice a month for 45 minutes. Yet, they felt they had a good grasp of who he was and how these medications affected him on a daily basis. This was a situation that was impossible to change given the constraints of how medicine and psychiatry are practiced. At RESCU Academy Art and Cheryl, as well as the teachers, are immersed with the students all day long in a variety of settings. This enables them to monitor the true effects of the student's medications on daily behavior. We felt that with their knowledge and first hand observations we would finally have an honest evaluation of what medications our son did or did not need. The daily group therapy at RESCU is a tremendous value. It teaches honesty, promotes introspection, and teaches coping skills not only for individual needs but for life in general. These kids do not live in a vacuum, consumed by their own problems and needs. They are forced to deal with each other's problems every day; and in helping each other to find solutions to their problems they discover help for themselves. The academics at RESCU were less a concern for us at the outset than the psychological services provided. However, over the months we have been more and more impressed with what RESCU has accomplished. The accreditations they have earned are remarkable for a "storefront" school. Instead of being a hindrance the small size of the school allows it to quickly adapt to the needs or desires of the students. You don't have to schedule a panel discussion two weeks in advance to present an idea and then hope it gets done. Here the same thing can be accomplished with a five minute conversation, or a simple observation made during the day. It is a refreshing change from the hidebound ways of the school district. We would be remiss if we did not mention the pride RESCU Academy instills in the students about their work and the demands that they make of the students concerning what is acceptable academic performance. Our son does not learn in the traditional way. He did not fit well in the "box" the school district had for him. As a result he was a "C" and "D" grade student with a few "B" grades sprinkled in. RESCU took our son and by allowing him to learn, changed him into an honor student. Please do not misunderstand. The curriculum is not geared to simply process the students to get their GED, quite the contrary. The subjects are demanding and the instructors do not cut corners. In addition to all his other course work, at the end of each course (approximately every four to six weeks) our son must orally present his culminating project using a Power Point presentation. This would be unheard of at his old school. The depth of knowledge he gains from doing this goes well beyond what would be required for typical test preparation at his old school. This letter does not do justice to all that is provided to the students by the staff at RESCU. They don't just teach these kids they care about them and sadly, that is hard to find in this day and age. In closing we would like to say " Thank You RESCU Academy" for giving us back our son, for helping him to realize his true academic potential and inspiring in him the recognition of his value as an individual to this world. Tim and Terry Darton
Our 13 year old son has just completed his first year at RESCU Academy. To compare him from a year ago to the young man he has matured into is astounding. He has learned so much from the other kids, both from their experiences and their helping him to understanding his own issues. The opportunity for him to be able to offer guidance to other kids only enhances his own learning and development further. We have found after time, his knowing that the group will talk about things that are going on at home can act as a deterrent and prevent unacceptable situations, as he doesn't want to disappoint the group. He is learning skills and tools that will take him into adulthood with confidence and the knowledge to make good choices. Since kindergarten, he has been in two other private schools and two of the very best public schools trying unsuccessfully to get his needs met. He is a bright boy, but due to a challenge with ADHD and a hearing loss he has difficulty in school. Additionally, he was never able to make friends before RESCU, always standing on the sidelines, almost an outcast. His social skills were terrible because he couldn't interact with his peers in an age appropriate manner. Over the last year with RESCU's help, he has the confidence to communicate with others in a more positive way and can finally let his personality show through without antagonizing others. Because he was almost desperate to make friends, it would have been an accurate prediction for him to become involved in less than desirable friendships come middle school and high school. He is so much better prepared to avoid situations that would not be appropriate. Being at RESCU has allowed him to rise to his potential academically as well, in a way that public school weren't able to accomplish. He has been encouraged to try harder and use his capabilities to be creative and learn. While allowances and excuses were made in the past for his hearing loss, RESCU has not allowed him to take advantage of that loss, but insisted that he realize that it is a part of himself he needs to accept and learn to strengthen other areas to compensate for it. Because of the personalized education program at RESCU and the diligence of the teachers, he was encouraged to take the Honors Social Studies class and he did very well. He got such a benefit from both the educational stand-point and the confidence that it gave him to stretch just a little further. He never would have been able to take an honors course in a public school. With the wrap around support that the entire family receives at RESCU, including the Saturday parent classes, sibling classes, and private family sessions as needed, we can all breathe so much easier and see such possibilities for our son's future. Our younger son is now much better able to cope with his brother and they have become friends for the first time. Just knowing that the directors and teachers are always available, 24-hours a day if needed, has taken lots of stress off our family. We are actually able to enjoy each other, as families should be able to. Having RESCU is vital to the San Diego community. They provide the education and tools needed for the success of the students and families attending. When our son comes home and says he wants to be a counselor so he can help other kids like him, you know the program is having a profound effect! Sincerely, Ken and Gina Rubin |
