Read REAL Reviews from Parents and Students

The following comments are from current or past parents and students.  For their privacy, we have not listed their last names, but if you would like a list of past parents or students to talk to before deciding about placing your girl here, please let us know.  Every Teen Challenge adolescent program is different, and we think ours is the best in the nation, so read what our parents and students think.

“My time at CGA has been a crazy journey but it has all been worth it. As I am transitioning into a new season of my life, I see that I am not the same person as what I was when I entered the program.

First of all I would like to say thank you to my friends that I have made during my time here. You encouraged me and comforted me during the hardest parts and made my experience fun and to say the least exciting!

Next, I would like to say thank you to the staff that poured into me daily and worked to help me create a better future for myself.

I would like to thank God for pursuing me in my darkest moments and allowing me to complete this program and gain a relationship with him during the process.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family for not giving up on me, and working with me continuously to restore and mend our relationship.” — CGA Graduate

“Thank you to my family for believing that I was better than my decisions. They believed that there was something in me that I couldn’t see. Even though they knew it was a hard decision to make, they knew sending me to Teen Challenge was the best one. They also did work to make sure we were all better when I came home and we could all start a new living.

Thank you to all the staff that have been there without fail. The staff here has helped me work through some difficult moments. Every time I wanted to give up, I knew that staff would be there to tell me why it was worth the hardships. They were all amazing mentors throughout my time being here.

Thank you to all the girls I’ve gotten the privilege to spend time with while being here. They have helped show me how to be vulnerable, caring, and loving. I have met some life-long friends here that I will never forget. Every person I’ve come across has taught me something and made an impact on my life. I don’t think I could have pushed though if I didn’t have them encouraging me every step of the way.” — CGA Graduate

“If I had not come to CGA, I would not have met any of the people there that have impacted me the most and I would not have gotten better. I love you Mom!

CGA staff helped me along my journey and become the healthy person I’ve wanted to be! You guys have seen my good, my bad, and my ugly, but still you didn’t give up on me! You were like mothers to me.

I’m really grateful for the relationships that I’ve developed with you guys. Even though you can be really annoying at times, I know deep down that you genuinely care! You all are so amazing and I’m so happy that I got to know you all. I love you guys!” — CGA Graduate

“We wanted to write to tell you all how incredibly impressed we are with Columbus Girls Academy. The Godly teachings and love is so very apparent every time we step foot on the CGA campus. Our daughter came to CGA with a willingness to give up everything including her family in order to continue a very unhealthy relationship. She had lost her focus on Christ and did not feel worthy for life.

After attending CGA for 5 months she has realized her ‘wrongs,’ asked for forgiveness, and now is in the process of forgiving herself and beginning to look to Christ as her Lord. We are now seeing her filled with love, joy, compassion, honesty, and a strong willingness to live according to God’s will for her life. We are convinced that if we had not taken the difficult step to enroll her at CGA we are not sure where she would be.

We took the biggest step of faith we both have even taken in enrolling our daughter in CGA. When you love someone so much you will do whatever it takes to get them right with the Lord. CGA has been the perfect place for our daughter to get the biblical truth from a loving staff on a gorgeous campus with every detail carefully planned. We cannot express how pleased we have been with our daughter’s transition and now goal towards leading a more Godly life. She is making wonderful progress! We know she has plenty of more programming at CGA, but we completely trust your guidance with our sweet daughter.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for our daughter and the other students at CGA. You ALL make them feel Christ’s love through your actions, giving, and planning. Words cannot express our appreciation for the leadership this Godly school encompasses. So many lives are being affected through the loving programs CGA offers their students and families. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts!” — In Christ’s love, A CGA Family

“I was sitting at the computer today wondering how my life has changed so dramatically in the past 7 years. I remember walking through the front doors scared to death not knowing what to expect. Well, I just wanted to write you and tell you how much I appreciated the experiences that I went through there. I have grown so much since you last saw me. I will be 20 in July. I graduated High School with honors. I was #12 out of 380. I have never been this happy before. I just wanted to say thank you so much for all that you have done for me.”  – Jessica M.

“Columbus Girls Academy has not only turned my sister’s life around, but has also helped her find her own direction. Although she will be graduating from the program soon, she knows that it’s not an end – it’s a beginning to a new life. I don’t like to think about where she would be without this program. This is the environment she needed. She went in as a blank canvas. You provided the support and guidance as her brushed and paint to create her future and now she has this beautifully painted life ahead of her that she can be proud of.”  – Jilliane D., sister of CGA student

“Please know that we are very pleased to have our daughter enrolled in your program and have observed much improvement in her behavior, academics and spiritual awareness. I would also like to share with you that we are becoming enriched by your program as well. With sincere gratitude for the work you are doing and the renewed vision of hope that you and your staff are providing for my daughter, my family, and all of the other families involved with your program.” – Current Parent

“It is a crushing fork in the road to realize as a parent that your child is heading down a road leading to life-altering consequences; and to know what you have within your reach is not enough to cause your child to stop the path of unhealthy choices. Facing the truth that you have done everything you can to avoid further trouble…with drugs, alcohol, the law, possible pregnancy or STD’s, or other self-destructive behavior and to realize that it may not be enough is heartbreaking. We feel that the journey to wellness and spiritual and emotional growth began for our daughter the day she arrived there. We are grateful for the program, the people, and the dedication to restoring the lives of teens and families.” – Janet and Brian V.

“Even though I’ve only been away from CGA for a few months, I can already see the impact it’s made in my life permanently, and my family sees it too. Before I went through the program I don’t really remember life. I was just depressed, lonely, and angry. I was always searching for something even though I didn’t know what exactly it was. I thought it could be found in relationships and pain. I didn’t want a relationship with God because the churches I had been to in the past seemed hypocritical, even though my parents loved the Lord, I didn’t really see that love anywhere else. After we moved when I was 10, I got into a lot of trouble with the wrong friends, and relationships with guys. My parents tried every way to help me, but nothing really worked well. Then my mom heard of CGA, and after a few months, I found myself there. I can’t begin to explain the peace I felt and safety after just driving on campus. It was so clear there was something different about this place. Even though I hated to admit it, after a couple of weeks there, it felt like home. I really have the staff to thank though, they really showed me what a love relationship with Christ looked like. It was their example that really made me want that kind of relationship too. There was nothing fake about it. They all also had such a love for me, even though I didn’t know them. I can honestly say that with God, nothing is impossible. I hated the idea of Christianity before, but now I’m more in love with my Savior Jesus Christ than ever before! Thanks, CGA, for the example you gave me, and for letting me know what it’s like to be alive! Because before Christ, I was dead in my sin. But God makes all things new!” – Kaitlin V., CGA Graduate

“God used Columbus Girls Academy to save my daughter’s life. Her choices had taken her down a path of destruction that led to a car accident one night when she and a friend had been drinking and taking pills. She could have died that night but instead ended up in jail. I was certain this would be her rock bottom – but instead, she became even more defiant over the next few weeks. After my first visit, I had a peace that this was God’s choice for my daughter. The road wasn’t easy but she was able to internalize God’s word and rebuild relationships with her family that we thought had been damaged beyond repair. Thank you for being a source of strength and encouragement to our family. I would recommend your program for any young girl, troubled or not.”  – Marla M.

“Our daughter was totally rebellious, acting-out, shouting when thing’s wouldn’t go her way, pushing and shoving, lying , sneaking around drinking and having sex. It was awful, all the things that she exposed herself to at such a young age had a hold on her and she was living in total rebellion. We tried keeping her away from the so-called friends and influences that were bad, but that only seemed to make her rebel even more, grounding did little to no good. So we decided that something drastic had to take place, we love our daughter and don’t want to watch her destroy her life and her future. So we called Columbus Girls Academy.  Within the first couple of weeks, we saw changes in her attitude, and within a month’s time, my baby girl contacted me and said that she had received Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and from that point on she has changed a little more each and every time I see her. I am so proud of her and the decision that we have made. The staff at there love and care for these girls and counsel them in the way’s of the Lord, and they are all wonderful Christian people.” – Current Parent

“It is a grave and stark reality when a parent comes to realize they have lost all ability to speak into their child’s life, and that they are slowly losing that child to a world contaminated by darkness, hate, perversity, destruction, and hopelessness. Yet that is exactly the place that we found ourselves in while parenting our only daughter at the tender age of 15. As her parents, we were desperate and frustrated and didn’t know what to do, so we cried out to God to help us and show us the way. In our distress, he heard our cry and came swiftly to answer us. His answer came to us by way of Columbus Girls Academy. Our daughter arrived there very stubborn and damaged and left there compliant and whole. She was literally transformed by God working through the program. She is now whole in her relationship with us as her parents, whole in her conduct and interaction with others, and most of all, whole in her relationship with God. Now we are all enjoying life with our daughter again. We are back together being a family, working and playing as team. It is truly a miracle, and we are so grateful.”  – Lydia

As posted on Private School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (11 reviews)

One of the toughest days of my life is when we took our daughter to be dropped off at Columbus Girls Academy on April 6, 2018. My daughter was 17 years old at the time. I truly believe if we had not taken this step of faith our daughter would not be alive today! The Academy`s grounds, facilities are extremely nice and there was a great sense of peace in the atmosphere when we arrived that initial day for the intake date. My daughter had been struggling for years with depression, anxiety, self-harm, & drug use. She was in a very dark place spiritually. Throughout this 15 month program yes, there were many ups and downs starting out. It takes time, perseverance, and faith to believe a breakthrough is coming! In my dealings with the staff, they are dedicated and determined in seeing these girls lives transformed in and through Jesus Christ! He is the only answer! They show love, compassion, and hold each one accountable for their actions (which is so important)! This is a safe haven for our daughters to come face to face with whatever issues they`ve been battling, realize that their true identity lies in Jesus (not in how others view them or lies the enemy tries to destroy them with). Through counseling (my daughter`s counselor was awesome, I love her!) and day-to-day guidance, they can develop healthy boundaries, coping mechanisms, and have victory! Another wonderful asset this program offers is a private school setting on-campus site. The teachers are available to oversee the students, provide assistance, and see goals accomplished for whatever grade level your daughter is in. Upon my daughter completing Teen Challenge/ Columbus Girls Academy she was 18 years old and graduated there with her High School Diploma!!! Her counselor made a reference and helped us get started with the process of applying for college. My daughter started her first year of college this past September 2018 for Fall Semester with Atlanta Leadership College. Obviously, I cannot say enough about how grateful my entire family is to The Lord for leading us to Columbus Girls Academy!!! He will make a way when there seems like there is no way!

– Posted by Parent – JKD

5  5/15/2017

The most difficult day of my life was leaving my daughter at CGA. I own and operate facilities similar to CGA except for young adults, not adolescents. However, the same way that my clients can not “hear” their parents, my daughter could not “hear” me. From working in the industry, I am always critical of those who do this for a living and not as their calling. CGA is the most loving and enveloping program for these young girls that I have ever found. To give them five stars would be an injustice, they deserve the moon AND the stars! My daughter will be graduating the program in two weeks. while I have missed her greatly, I have seen and heard an almost unbelievable transformation. My daughter now has a relationship with our Lord and Father, a solid faith-based foundation that she can build on the rest of her life. Bob & Carla are the “real deal”. They love and care for these girls as their own. I have recommended CGA to EVERY single parent who has called me looking for a place for their adolescent daughter and I will continue to do so for as long as I am in the same industry. To Ivy, Sophia’s counselor – only the Lord could have placed you in our lives, and we want you to know that you are and always will be considered family. If you are seeking the perfect place – you have found it at CGA!

– Posted by Parent – Janel F.

---

5  10/26/2016

Our family will be forever grateful for the support that was offered while our daughter attended CGA. Although we were initially apprehensive, it was evident as the months unfolded that our daughter was in a safe, nurturing and faith-filled environment. The students are kept engaged with a sound academic program, commitment to their church, community outreach projects, conferences and field trips. Academically, our daughter made significant gains while at CGA. We noted an improvement in her reading and writing ability and also her understanding of mathematical concepts. She has met with significant success in these areas since returning home. The caring and committed staff make every effort to guide the students through their life-controlling struggles. Our daughter’s discerning counselor was a true Godsend! Above all, there is a higher purpose to this program. ALL staff encourages the students to have a personal relationship with God allowing them to discover the person that He intended them to be and recognize what they are able to accomplish through Him.

– Posted by Parent – ed_da

---

5  9/24/2016

It has been over 2 years since I dropped my belligerent daughter off at Columbus Girl’s Academy. She would not give me a hug goodby and was intent on going through the motions to just ‘get through’. But God!! She graduated almost a year ago and has been home since then and is currently in her senior year of high school planning for her college entrance next Fall. The biggest victory/celebration, however, can be related in what occurred last night and has been an ongoing pattern — Sitting at my home desk, my daughter came up to tell me good night and with a hug and I love you, Dad! Thank you, God and staff at CGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

– Posted by Parent – ron.g

---

5  9/24/2016

Finding the Columbus Girls Academy and making the decision by prayer we soon realized that the Lord led us here. It was thru Grace and the great staff in place that our daughter’s transformation began and soon her new beginnings and shed her old ways. I will never forget the look on my wife’s face after returning from a fact-finding trip to the school. It is the right place for our daughter and we had visited several, but none were like this place nor the staff.

– Posted by Parent – mfdst

---

5  9/24/2016

Columbus Girls Academy was the perfect solution for our daughter. We wanted a program where she could get the “help” she needed and at the same time continue to be a teenager. Not a wilderness camp or boot camp. CGA provides an excellent staff and a beautiful facility where our daughter was loved and safe. Best decision we could have made.

– Posted by Parent – pamgo

---

5  5/17/2016

Columbus Girls Academy helped our daughter through a crisis point in her life. The admissions staff worked quickly to identify his/her need and get through the enrollment process, so she got the help she needed right away. Columbus Girls Academy knows teenagers. They are equipped to give professional, effective care. They loved our daughter like their own. I don’t know what we would have done without them.

– Posted by Parent – saman

---

5  5/12/2016

I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since I graduated from Columbus Girls Academy. I’m married to a wonderful man who loves the Lord, and we have two small children of our own. The lessons I learned at Columbus Girls Academy help me every day in my relationships, in my marriage and with friends and parents and even in-laws. I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of you.

– Posted by Student/Alumni – thera

---

5  8/8/2014

I have just returned home from placing my daughter in the care of Columbus Girls Academy. My heart is full, but I am at peace. She is in good hands, and Columbus Girls Academy is the best care possible for her. This is the beginning of a brand new chapter in our lives.

– Posted by Parent – jkwea

---

5  7/24/2014

I am a graduate from Columbus Girls Academy. I went in in April of 2012, a seemingly lost and hopeless teenager. CGA helped me realize not only what I was needing help with, but that God could and would gladly help me. I would have not had a relationship with the Lord, if it were not for CGA.

– Posted by Student/Alumni – hnoli

---

5  12/11/2012

It was so hard to send my daughter away, but I knew it was the best thing to do. Columbus Girls Academy held my hand through the whole thing. They always told me what was going on. They even gave me other parents to talk to who had been through it before. And most of all, I knew they were loving my daughter and taking excellent care of her.

– Posted by Parent

---

---