Our Life Changing Approach

A Life-Changing Personal Growth and Mentorship Program

At KC Girls Academy, we provide a Christ-centered, structured environment that fosters personal growth, emotional resilience, and spiritual development for girls ages 12–17. Our approach is relational and discipleship-driven, emphasizing character-building, accountability, and practical life skills in a supportive, non-clinical setting.

Lasting Change

At the heart of every lasting change is the discovery of one’s God-given value and the courage to face life with new tools and a renewed spirit. Though KCGA is not a licensed mental health facility, we offer something uniquely transformative—faith-based mentoring, structured personal development, and life-guidance tools that lead students toward wholeness. Families across the country have witnessed lasting, life-changing results through our spiritually rich Teen Challenge model for more than 60 years.

Foundations for Life Transformation

Through mentorship, character-building, and experiential learning, students are encouraged to explore their beliefs, challenge harmful thought patterns, and build a new vision for their future. Daily interactions, family-style living, and structured routines reinforce lessons of responsibility, respect, and integrity.

Mentorship and Guided Self-Reflection

Through daily mentorship and guided self-reflection, students are supported in:

• Identifying personal challenges and patterns
• Exploring Christ-centered solutions to those challenges
• Participating in goal-setting and values-based decision-making
• Learning to take ownership of attitudes and actions

Tools like journaling, personal development assignments, and character-building exercises help students gain awareness and maturity.

Equine-Assisted Personal Development

In our Experiential Equine Learning Program, students engage in horse-based activities that serve as powerful metaphors for relational growth and emotional awareness. Under the guidance of trained facilitators, girls gain insights about communication, trust, boundaries, and leadership—all in a non-clinical, hands-on environment. This deeply reflective program is often one of the most impactful parts of the KCGA experience.

“Ask the animals, and they will teach you.” – Job 12:7

Trauma-Informed Environment

Our staff is trained in Trauma-Informed Care principles, shaping how we create emotional safety, build trust, and encourage healing through consistent structure and relational connection. While we do not offer trauma therapy or diagnosis, we recognize how past experiences may influence behavior and respond with grace, boundaries, and wisdom.

Family Connection & Involvement

Parents are deeply involved throughout their daughter’s stay. Regular family weekends, mentoring check-ins, and customized transition planning ensure that the student’s progress is supported by growth at home.

Group Discussions and Peer Support

Students participate in guided group conversations where they reflect on their journey, gain insight from peers, and build confidence in expressing personal experiences. These sessions promote accountability and connection but do not constitute clinical group therapy.

Professional Services Disclaimer

We are more than a boarding school for struggling teens—we are a place of lasting transformation. Though we are not a licensed mental health facility, our program offers something deeper than traditional therapy. Through Christ-centered mentoring, character formation, and intentional life development, we help youth grow from the inside out. This is not short-term behavior control—it’s life change rooted in faith, structure, and meaningful relationships.

For over 60 years, families across the country have witnessed extraordinary, lasting results through our spiritually grounded Teen Challenge model. For students who need additional mental health support, professional therapy or psychiatric services can be arranged through trusted outside providers. These added services are billed directly by the provider and are not included in our program fees, but medial insurance may help cover such costs while it typically does not apply to our boarding school tuition.