It's 1861at HOPE Ranch Learning Academy but the war and slavery are not just things our girls are learning about in History - it's a concern to them today. Our philosophy of a "hands on" approach to learning has them investigating slavery today. We have all been shocked to realize that there are 24 million slaves today and that slavery has once again come to American shores.

Something happens here at HOPE Youth Ranch every summer…time flies!

Every summer all our girls turn 18. It’s part of an Independent Living Module covered at our year round on-campus school: HOPE Ranch Learning Academy.

Most are totally unaware of what awaits on an unsuspecting regular mundane Monday morning. But as soon as the doors to the classroom open they are in for a huge surprise party. Balloons, streamers, a cake and a present at each of their assigned desks.

Most teens, including those in foster care, will tell you they can't wait to be 18. The truth is many are very scared of the approaching birthday.

Awating them inside the beautifully wrapped box are a ton of bills - just like real life. During the next four weeks they will look for a job, rent an apartment, furnish their apartment, grocery shop, learn how to budget, keep a checking account, apply to college, seek financial aid, apply for a student loan, etc. By the end of the four weeks they will have a real life understanding of what it's really like to be 18.

We need speakers from all different vocational areas. Businessmen and women who will share their career experiences. Moms to speak about child care and clipping coupons. Dads to teach them to change a tire or the oil in their car. If you would like to volunteer to help a teen learn what it's like to be a grown up - call us.

The need for individualized attention in the areas of academics is critical to the teens that come to HOPE Youth Ranch. With life in turmoil, school has been the last thing on their minds. Many of our students have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and find it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time. Our School Manager (Ms. Kathy Mohr) developed a curriculum for use with our students that is "hands on" and "fun" but most importantly - it works.

Our school is open year round with breaks every 4 1/2 weeks and our student teacher ratio is 12:1 and at times 6:1. Our program is intensive and produces results. Many of our students have quickly advanced to grade level, many advancing several grades during a few short months. Kids who had been given previous learning goals of "concentrating for 10 minutes at a time" - sit and learn for hours.

During the summer months our teens learn independent living skills. The first day of school began with a Birthday Party - they all turned "18". A present awaited them on their desks, a box filled with bills and responsibilities. We celebrated the completion of our Independent Living Module with a visit to Enterprise Village.

Our curriculum is centered around a "historical theme" and every 9 weeks we celebrate the completion of a given historical module by taking the teens out on a special outing. With our "hands on" curriculum the teens "live" the historical time period they are studying. For example for Greek History they made ancient greek clothing and mosaics, listened to Greek music, studied Greek art and theater. Their math, reading and science centered around the Greek alphabet, math, myths, inventions and Greek contributions to civilization. During the Roman module they built the ancient city of Rome and the Roman roads. We celebrated the completion of the Judeo/Christian module with a trip to Holyland in Orlando. The kids are currently working on the "Inventors, Thinkers, Explorers and Dreamers" module and are learning about Michealangelo, Raphael, Galileo, and others. This unit will end with a trip to The Kennedy Space Center. The most wonderful part of our school is that the teens don't consider it "school" but learning and fun.


Greek Module - Lunch in Tarpon Springs

WWII Module - The Play: A Thousand Cranes


WWII Debate: Should We Drop the Bomb on Hiroshima?