Success in college requires self-discipline, initiative, dedication, proper study habits, time management skills, confidence, and motivation. Most incoming college freshmen are lacking in most or some of these characteristics.
 

Colleges and Universities seek to recruit incoming students based on the indicators that represent a greater chance for success among their incoming classes. Such indicators are well known and include scores on National exams such as the SAT and ACT. They use other indicators such as rank in class, Grade Point Averages on a 4.0 scale, recommendations by counselors, community leaders, and others who know the student well to determine if the student will fit in well with the college environment. In addition, all schools seek to diversify their student body. Students with international experiences with a proven record of community service are prime candidates for admission with some of the top scholarships offered at many schools. The Pillars of Hope experience addresses all of these attributes as its faculty and staff strives to instill them in our students. Courses in SAT and ACT preparation are offered to indicate areas needing greater enfasis in the child's preparation.

Successful techniques are also taught to maximize their test-taking experience. An additional course in Library Science is offered to assist students in their ability to research and document their resources according to the Modern Language Association's latest guidebooks. Courses in Spanish as a second language are offered that promise to help students not only fulfill College admission standards but also offer a greater opportunity to continue the study of Spanish at advanced levels. By so doing most universities offer lower division credits for up to four semesters--the first two years of College level Spanish. The national CLEP exams in this subject are also taken by some students to satisfy the general education requirements in this area. On the whole, our students who complete our Spanish Language program enjoy a great deal of success on placement exams and/or College Level Exams in Spanish offered at the universities they choose to attend.

Upon arrival at Pilares de Esperanza, each student works closely with their school counselor and Parents to create a Personal Orientation Plan for Success (POPS). The faculty and staff at Pillars of Hope utilize the methods of Internal Motivation rather than external. This involves the student to a greater extent in making decisions as to what s/he studies and when, in consultation with parents and counselor, s/he chooses to leave the facility to begin further study elsewhere, hopefully at an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) of his or her choice.

Any valuables, clothes, jewelry, electronic devices of any kind are limited to the basics and are kept at the students' own risk. The institution cannot be held liable for loss or theft. For this reason, we encourage that valuables be left home and that parents and youth limit themselves to the recommended items checklist.In addition, high moral standards are adhered to as well. Although classrooms and many activities are coeducational, pairing off in isolation or dating is not allowed. Students must remain in their family groups and are chaperoned at all times by faculty or staff. Every effort is made to make the facility a fun environment within the well-established limits of behavior that will help all students to accomplish their POPS to attend the IHL of their choice.

If you would like to speak to a consultant on resources available for your troubled teen:

Call Toll Free: 1-800-355-8336
Referred By: Kris Wilcox

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