The Gurian Institute is proud to be a consulting partner with the new The Forge School (Forge), a leading edge residential treatment center for boys from 14-17 in Benton, Tennessee.  Its 55 acres border rivers and wetlands, making it a perfect location.  Forge is a new school but its parent organization, the Calo Division of Embark, is a premier agency in the residential treatment space, and Forge brings that experience to the boys and their families.

Michael Gurian and GI are assisting Forge as consultants in boys’ development and program design.  We enjoy the interactions with Forge staff and admire the adventure-based programming at the heart of Forge education.   If you know of a teen boy who is struggling, check out Forge on his behalf.  You can learn more about the school at www.forgeschoolrtc.com.

More about the Forge School

The Forge School is an innovative residential treatment program and school developed in response to the neurobiological needs of boys and young men.   Building “greatness beyond education,” the staff at The Forge School combine student immersion in extraordinary outdoor experiences with empathetic and attuned individual and family counseling and exceptional educational rigor.   Embark as a whole uses the CASA model, an evidence-based therapeutic matrix which Forge Executive Director Joe Barnard describes this way: “We aim to forge healing with the joy that comes from experiencing acceptance, security, and attunement in a committed home (CASA).  This holistic educational experience, grounded in tactile and engaging life skills, helps facilitate a deeper understanding of each student’s core sense of self and initiates positive behavioral change.”

On the Forge website, these words powerfully depict what the school is doing in conjunction with GI:  “A dynamic, relational, and hands on learning environment is essential, especially for the male brain. Michael Gurian, a leading researcher in studying gender specific learning style differences states, ‘Boys do their best work when teachers establish authentic purpose and meaningful, real-life connections.’  The Forge School encourages our students to continually test their skills and to push forward regardless of perceived success or failure, which builds resilience and grit. If time and pressure create a diamond, time and fire refine gold.  We seek to find and refine the precious gold within the boys.’

More about the Location of the School

The Forge School is surrounded by nature, tucked away in rural Benton, Tennessee and set to the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Hiwassee River and Lake Ocoee. With world-class white-water rafting and climbing a short distance away, and mountain biking, hiking and fishing at its doorstep, the 55 acre property at The Forge is evolving into the foremost outdoor experiential school for young men in the East.

Check out the school at www.forgeschoolrtc.org.  Meghan Barnard is the Director of Admissions.  She can be reached at meghan.barnard@forgertc.com.  She and the staff can answer your questions and tell you more about the school.  For teen boys struggling with life-issues, depression or anxiety, educational issues, or attachments and relationships, The Forge School is leading edge.  The Gurian Institute hopes more schools like Forge will be developed as the years go on and boys’ issues increasingly move into the public consciousness.