We are excited to announce that Cherokee Creek Boys School is re-certifying as a Gurian Model School!  Michael Gurian and our Trainers have traveled to the school (which is nestled beautifully in the woods in South Carolina) to train the teams there and speak with parents and staff in Family Seminar days either at the school or at Clemson University.

CCBS has inculcated Gurian Theory and Strategies into their therapeutic boys’ school setting, and the staff have also taught our Gurian team a great deal, as well.  Cherokee Creek is, at this point, our only Therapeutic Model School.  Bravo to the school for its powerful work with boys and families!  Here’s more from the staff at Cherokee Creek.

Cherokee Creek Boys School, Westminster, SC.  http://cherokeecreek.net/.

Cherokee Creek Boys School is a small therapeutic boarding school for boys ages 10-15 located about 2 hours north of Atlanta in the foothills of the blue ridge mountains of South Carolina.    Founded in 2003, our mission as a learning community is “to challenge boys and their families to discover what is real and true about themselves and the world around them.” Our values-based  curriculum is based upon the work of cultural anthropologist Dr. Angeles Arrien as we nurture not only the academic needs of these boys but their social, physical, spiritual and psychological needs as well.

Because we provide 24 hour care for our students, we are able to apply brain- based research to all aspects of our program.  Our model of the P.A.T.H. —Personal enrichment, Academics, Therapy and Health/Recreation— helps us provide balance  and harmony in their daily life.  Strategies like movement, competition, creativity, down time, are met both inside and outside the classroom.  In the class rooms yoga balls, standing desk and 10 students per class provide an optimal environment for learning. Our wooded campus filled with creeks and on a river give us the opportunity for outside classrooms, exploring and play.. .which is, of course learning.

We have created and maintained a holistic, hands on, experiential environment where “boys can be boys” learn about themselves – how they learn, how they communicate, how they can build or rebuild relationships, and how they can advocate for what they need to thrive as young men in an increasingly complex world.

In 2012, we proudly became the first therapeutic Gurian Model School, creating a wonderful partnership that keeps us constantly focused on cutting edge research about boys, their XY brains, and how they learn.  Michael’s work in gender-based differences in learning solidified what we already knew to be true – boys do learn differently!  His extensive research and publishing in the field of educating boys fit everything we theorized as a best practice and continually challenges us to grow.

We have been blessed to have Michael visit our school on numerous occasions where he has been a regular key speaker at our Family Seminars, helping parents, students and staff understand boys from a new, research-based perspective.  The board and staff of Cherokee Creek are proud to have this sincere and close alliance with Michael Gurian and his groundbreaking work.

“You rock Michael!  We are grateful that you are part of our tribe and offering such support for our team and the families we serve.  I love sharing about our affiliation with your work and our Gurian Institute Model School designation when I’m speaking with potential families. Just yesterday I was speaking with a mother in Nashville for the first time. She has 3 boys and came across your work years ago and it’s helped to guide her as a parent. She’s hoping that CCBS is the right place for their son… and that she’ll meet you at a seminar someday soon.  Thank you again for your enthusiasm and support for our sweet little school in South Carolina!

—Shaler Cooper, Director of Admissions, Cherokee Creek Therapuetic  Boys School