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The Phoenix Academy of Westchester: No Ordinary School

SHRUB OAK, NY, June 13, 2005 -- On June 27, 2005 Phoenix House and the NYC Department of Education will present twenty-five young men and women with their NYC Department of Education Regents diplomas. These students will not only be celebrating their academic achievement, they will also be marking the successful completion of substance abuse treatment. Acclaimed Latino artist and Phoenix House graduate, Jose F. Rios, and Linda Cooper, Town Supervisor of Yorktown will address the graduates at the commencement ceremony.

For many of these teens, a high school graduation ceremony was never even a dream. More than 95% of students entering the Phoenix Academy of Westchester are either high school drop-outs or performing well below their grade level. At the Academy, a fully accredited residential high school, troubled students get back on track – socially, emotionally, and academically.

“This is one of the few places within New York State where teenagers can triumph over substance abuse and improve their education,” said Jack Klimp, Senior Vice President and Regional Director of Phoenix Houses of New York and a former Lt. General in the United State Marine Corps. “While the performance of our students would be impressive even in a traditional high school, we believe that it represents an especially significant achievement because many of our students have large gaps in their educational background.”

One of this year’s graduates, Danny, says he is looking forward to college. “From the ages of 16 to 18, I was smoking marijuana every day. I was rarely going to school,” said Danny. After nine months at Phoenix House, I will receive my high school diploma, graduating with a 96.3 average and scoring a perfect 100 on my Math A regents exam. Just being here, I have gained insight and acceptance of who I am.”

Another graduate, Jessica, plans to pursue a career as a pediatrician. “The night I realized I had to do something with my life was the night that my mother kicked me out of the house,” said Jessica. “I was 16 and had been drinking and getting high since I was 12. Phoenix House has made a big difference in my life, changed the way I feel about myself and helped me set goals for the future.”

Founded in 1981, The Phoenix Academy of Westchester is a fully accredited residential high school offering comprehensive substance abuse treatment. An accelerated curriculum is taught in a structured environment by experienced, licensed teachers. Phoenix House operates 11 Academies across the country.

The RAND Corporation, one of the nation’s most trusted research organizations, has confirmed the effectiveness of Phoenix House’s treatment for teens. A recent study by RAND, published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, found that teens in treatment at a Phoenix Academy demonstrated substantial reductions in drug use and improvement in psychological well-being – and that the Phoenix Academy outperformed other adolescent programs in these areas.

Phoenix House is the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of substance abuse treatment and prevention services, operating more than 100 programs in nine states. Founded in 1967, Phoenix House currently cares for a population of more than 6,000 at residential centers for adults, residential Phoenix Academies combining long-term treatment and schooling for adolescents, as well as outpatient, after school, and day programs.

Tours of Phoenix Academy of Westchester can be arranged. If you would like to visit the facility, sit in on classes and meet some of the students, please contact the Academy at (914) 962-2491.

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Media Contact:
Justin Bernbach
(646) 505-2094
jbernbach@phoenixhouse.org