This week, Compass Rose Academy marked a major milestone with the graduation of its first student.

The 17-year-old from northern Indiana enrolled at Compass Rose in October 2012. During her time on campus, she not only successfully completed the therapeutic program, but also earned her high school diploma.

During a special ceremony around the Compass Rose mosaic, the graduate was given a Compass Rose clay necklace and Bible. Family, friends and program staff gathered in support of the student, and the steps she made to change the course of her life and start off in a new direction.

“At Compass Rose, we have a tradition we call the Goodbye Circle. The graduate looks each staff and student in the face as they say good-bye to each other. This is not a see-ya-later or talk-to-you-again-soon. This is, ‘I have loved being a part of your life. I take part of you with me,’” explained Mike Haarer, director of Compass Rose Academy. “This exchanging of goodbyes allows our graduate to be free to move forward with her life and take with her the wisdom shared, the grace given and the truth offered during her time here with us.”

Compass Rose Academy is a Christ-centered organization committed to enriching the lives of girls through emotional healing, personal development and spiritual growth. Our residential treatment center for troubled teens operates a 9- to 12-month program for 14- to 17-year-old junior high and high school students – many of them diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder or related conditions, such as Bipolar Disorder or General Anxiety Disorder.

Licensed as a residential child care facility by the Indiana Department of Child Services and accredited by the Council on Accreditation, Compass Rose Academy is ideally suited for teen girls struggling with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse.

Compass Rose will also soon offer a variety of support services to parents who are not yet ready to consider residential placement for their child. Prevention services will soon include weekend conferences for parents and short-term experiential camps and activities for teens.

For more information, please visit www.CompassRoseAcademy.org.