Brush Creek Uses Positive Peer Culture
The positive peer culture at Brush Creek Academy therapeutic boarding school for teen boys teaches teens than becoming dedicated to the wellbeing of others gives them the greatest opportunity to develop responsibility and self-worth.
In many cases, adolescents place more value on the opinions and influence of their peers than on those of their parents or other authority figures. Positive peer culture takes therapeutic advantage of this tendency by teaching students to focus on others rather than remaining self-centered. Scripture contains numerous examples and admonitions to care for others. Students eventually discover that their own needs are also met when they focus their attention on serving others first. Positive peer culture fosters a strong sense of community, in which each student takes responsibility for his own personal growth but also becomes invested in the growth of the community as a whole.
Positive peer culture lends itself to accountability as students take personal responsibility for their actions and also hold others accountable for their choices. Within this context, the peer group no longer hinders personal growth but makes it an asset to a student learning to make responsible choices. While adults remain in control and oversee the care of each boy, the teens also assume responsibility for caring for one another.
