Eagle Ranch
Academy Outcomes Study
An independent evaluation examining student outcomes, clinical progress, and academic achievement across Eagle Ranch Academy's residential treatment program.
Full Technical Report Available: Download the complete independent outcomes study as a PDF for printing or sharing.
Download Full PDF ReportMission & Values
ERA's choice-based program framework and core value milestones
Value Scoring Scale
Self-Discovery
Emphasizes commitment to the program and engagement in activities.
- Doing calisthenics
- Classroom structure
- Program participation
Accountability
Students demonstrating accountability will take responsibility for their actions and show self-awareness.
- Accountable for behavior
- Aware of moods
- Does not make excuses
Honesty
Encompasses being able to express thoughts in a respectful manner to peers and staff.
- Honest with staff and peers
- Using "I feel" statements
- Regulating mood
Forgiveness
Includes letting go of grudges; especially family and themselves.
- Forgives self and others
- Doesn't hold grudges
- Doesn't play get back
Acceptance
The ability to use appropriate coping and problem-solving skills to take "no" for an answer respectfully.
- Accepts feedback
- Accepts no as an answer
- Demonstrates confidence
Integrity
Involves the ability to lead and take initiative. Building integrity involves being mindful of one's actions in all contexts.
- Mindful of others
- Being a leader
- Mentoring others
Respect / Trust
Students learn how to open up to others and make safe judgments. Respecting others and one's self develops leadership.
- Respectful of self and others
- Trustworthy
- Showing leadership
Service
Entails time management, mentorship, and altruism which characterizes growing independence and leadership.
- Staying present
- Sets a good example
- Being of service to others
Demographics
Composition of ERA's student sample (n=62)
SD = 0.95
(largest cohort)
Figure 1 — Ethnicity
Breakdown of student ethnic backgrounds
Figure 2 — Grade Level at Admit
Distribution of grade levels upon enrollment
Diagnoses at Intake
Individual and aggregate diagnostic profile upon admission
Figure 3 — Individual Diagnoses at Intake
Count of each individual diagnosis at admission
Figure 4 — Aggregated Diagnostic Categories at Intake
Grouped diagnostic categories at admission
Behavioral = oppositional defiant + adjustment. Depression = persistent/recurring depressive + bereavement. Familial = family/sibling/parent-child + reactive attachment. Anxiety = generalized anxiety + social phobias + PTSD. Substance = cannabis/alcohol/sedative dependence + substance abuse. Mood = bipolar disorders + mood disorders.
Diagnoses at Discharge
Individual diagnostic profile at program completion
Figure 5 — Individual Diagnoses at Discharge
Count of each individual diagnosis status at discharge
Intake vs. Discharge Comparison
Statistically significant reductions across all diagnostic categories
Figure 6 — Aggregated Diagnoses: Intake vs. Discharge
Side-by-side comparison of diagnostic category counts from admission to program completion
A large majority of intake diagnoses were reclassified to remission or managed by the time of discharge. Values listed are individual diagnoses and do not represent instances of multiple diagnoses at intake.
Reduction by Diagnostic Category
| Diagnostic Category | Intake Count | Discharge Count | Reduction | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substance Use | 31 | 0 | 100% | |
| Depression | 26 | 2 | 92% | |
| Mood Disorders | 27 | 5 | 82% | |
| Family Issues | 30 | 6 | 80% | |
| Behavioral Issues | 8 | 4 | 50% | |
| Anxiety | 24 | 19 | 21% |
Figures 7 & 8 — Intake vs. Discharge by Category
Substance Use
Family Issues
Behavioral Issues
Depression
Anxiety
Mood Disorders
Diagnoses by Gender
Figures 10 & 11 — Comparison of diagnostic categories across male and female students
Figure 10 — Diagnoses at Intake by Gender
Figure 11 — Diagnoses at Discharge by Gender
Program Progression
Average days required to progress through each program level
Figure 12 — Average Days to Reach Each Level (Total Sample)
Figure 13 — Progression by Gender (Days)
Figure 14 — Progression by Diagnostic Category (Days)
Table 1 — Average Weeks Between Levels (Total Sample)
| Transition | Mean Weeks (SD) |
|---|---|
| Admit → Self-Discovery | 4.92 (6.84) |
| Self-Discovery → Accountability | 10.97 (5.49) |
| Accountability → Honesty | 7.35 (3.00) |
| Honesty → Forgiveness | 10.85 (4.54) |
| Forgiveness → Acceptance | 8.38 (3.57) |
| Acceptance → Integrity | 8.79 (3.55) |
| Integrity → Respect/Trust | 9.50 (12.51) |
| Respect/Trust → Service | 3.15 (1.63) |
Table 2 — Average Weeks by Gender
| Transition | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| Admit → Self-Discovery | 3.96 | 6.24 |
| Self-Discovery → Accountability | 10.90 | 11.07 |
| Accountability → Honesty | 7.52 | 7.11 |
| Honesty → Forgiveness | 11.07 | 10.53 |
| Forgiveness → Acceptance | 8.55 | 8.10 |
| Acceptance → Integrity | 8.71 | 8.93 |
| Integrity → Respect/Trust | 8.79 | 10.49 |
| Respect/Trust → Service | 2.90 | 3.47 |
Table 3 — Average Weeks by Diagnostic Category
| Transition | Substance | Family | Behavior | Depression | Anxiety | Mood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admit → Self-Discovery | 3.99 | 5.76 | 4.90 | 3.97 | 4.30 | 6.36 |
| Self-Discovery → Accountability | 9.78 | 11.43 | 5.07 | 11.70 | 11.82 | 10.58 |
| Accountability → Honesty | 6.47 | 7.91 | 6.25 | 8.58* | 8.15 | 7.32 |
| Honesty → Forgiveness | 11.68 | 10.49 | 7.38* | 9.82 | 10.47 | 12.88* |
| Forgiveness → Acceptance | 7.69 | 8.68 | 7.84 | 7.84 | 7.58 | 9.00 |
| Acceptance → Integrity | 8.40 | 9.47 | 6.25 | 8.22 | 7.57 | 9.87 |
| Integrity → Respect/Trust | 11.11 | 6.31 | 6.00 | 8.48 | 10.74 | 10.70 |
| Respect/Trust → Service | 2.92 | 3.47 | 3.07 | 3.15 | 2.90 | 3.36 |
* Statistically significant difference in progression days from other diagnostic categories
School Outcomes
Academic achievement and GPA changes from intake to discharge
Figure 7 — Grade Level at Intake vs. Discharge
Students progressed to higher grade levels during the program
Figure 8 & 9 — GPA by Gender: Intake vs. Discharge
Both male and female students showed significant GPA improvement (p<0.01)
Males: 2.09 → 3.23 (p=0.0051) | Females: 2.58 → 3.28 (p=0.0034)
Summary of Findings
Key conclusions from the independent evaluation
The 62 representative Eagle Ranch Academy students reported the following ethnic backgrounds: 80.65% Caucasian, 6.45% Russian, 4.84% African American, 3.23% each of Asian and Latino, and 1.61% East Indian. Of these, 3% were 7th graders, 5% were 8th graders, 26% were 9th graders, 45% were 10th graders, and 21% were 11th graders.
The majority of students successfully complete the ERA program between 190–360 days. There were no significant differences in days to completion for males and females.
After completing ERA's treatment program, there was a significant reduction in active diagnoses in all mental and behavioral health categories.
Although there were fewer students who experienced remission for anxiety disorders from intake to discharge, these results are not discouraging. Many students with anxiety have co-morbid conditions. Remission for depression, substance use, and mood disorders is a necessary step towards developing the coping skills to effectively address and manage symptoms of anxiety — by nature, chronic and difficult to treat.
The number of mental and behavioral health diagnoses in remission at discharge were stable across gender.
With the exception of anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, males were overrepresented in all diagnostic categories.
Although students in all diagnostic categories completed the program, progression through levels varied by diagnostic cluster. Students with depression required more days from accountability to honesty. Students with behavioral disorder diagnoses required fewer days from honesty to forgiveness. Students with mood disorder diagnoses required more days from honesty to forgiveness than any other diagnostic cluster.
Recommendations
Forward-looking guidance from the independent evaluator
Eagle Ranch Academy staff provide a comprehensive systems level approach to treatment. Services include multiple modalities of family therapy and individual, student therapeutic services.
Services are grounded in evidence-based approaches that include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused CBT.
Based upon the current evaluation, there were significant reductions in the number of students with active anxiety disorder diagnosis from intake to discharge. However, tailoring therapeutic services that facilitate anxiety symptom management may benefit this subset of students.
Future evaluation efforts should incorporate more frequent assessments of psychological and behavioral functioning using reliable and valid instruments. One advantage to using standardized instruments is consensus across health sectors (e.g., academics, insurance providers, other service-based organizations).
Although the current report provides a snapshot of academic and school progress, future assessments should consider expanding the number of student academic records in evaluation data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Eagle Ranch Academy's outcomes, program, and therapeutic approach
How effective is Eagle Ranch Academy's teen treatment program?
An independent study by California State University found significant reductions in all mental and behavioral health diagnostic categories. Eagle Ranch Academy achieved 100% remission in substance use disorders, 92% reduction in active depression diagnoses, 82% reduction in mood disorders, 80% reduction in family issue diagnoses, and 50% reduction in behavioral issues by program completion. Over 71 diagnoses at intake were classified as in remission or currently managed at discharge, and 4 individuals had no diagnosis at all at discharge.
How long does Eagle Ranch Academy's program take?
The majority of students successfully complete the ERA program between 190 and 360 days (approximately 6–12 months). There were no significant differences in completion time between male and female students. The program consists of eight sequential levels — Self-Discovery, Accountability, Honesty, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Integrity, Respect/Trust, and Service — and students advance by demonstrating milestone behaviors at each stage.
Does Eagle Ranch Academy improve academic performance?
Yes. The independent outcomes study found that average student GPA increased significantly from 2.29 at intake to 3.25 at discharge (p<0.01) — nearly a full grade-point improvement. Male students improved from 2.09 to 3.23 (p=0.0051) and female students improved from 2.58 to 3.28 (p=0.0034). Students also progressed to higher grade levels during their time in the program.
What mental health conditions does Eagle Ranch Academy treat?
Eagle Ranch Academy treats a wide range of adolescent mental health and behavioral conditions including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders (including bipolar), substance use disorders (cannabis, alcohol, sedative), ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, reactive attachment disorder, family and parent-child conflict, self-harm behaviors, eating disorders, and schizoaffective disorder. On average, incoming students meet criteria for 3 independent diagnoses simultaneously.
What therapeutic approaches does Eagle Ranch Academy use?
Eagle Ranch Academy's services are grounded in evidence-based approaches including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused CBT. The program provides a comprehensive systems-level treatment approach with multiple modalities of family therapy and individual student therapeutic services. This combination of a relational, value-based structure with clinical evidence-based therapy distinguishes ERA from traditional behavior modification programs.
Who conducted the Eagle Ranch Academy outcomes study?
The outcomes study was conducted as an independent evaluation by Myriam Forster, PhD, MPH of California State University. The study analyzed data from 62 representative Eagle Ranch Academy students, examining diagnostic outcomes, program progression timelines, gender-based differences, and academic achievement. The independence of the evaluator ensures the findings reflect unbiased clinical results.
How does Eagle Ranch Academy treat teen substance abuse?
Eagle Ranch Academy achieved a 100% remission rate for substance use disorders — the largest reduction of any diagnostic category in the study. At intake, 50% of students carried a substance use diagnosis (cannabis, alcohol, or sedative dependence). At discharge, 0% of students retained an active substance use diagnosis. This statistically significant outcome reflects the program's comprehensive, relationship-based treatment model combined with evidence-based therapies.
What is the program structure at Eagle Ranch Academy?
Eagle Ranch Academy is a choice-based residential program built around 8 sequential core value levels: Self-Discovery (9 milestones), Accountability (8 milestones), Honesty (8 milestones), Forgiveness (8 milestones), Acceptance (13 milestones), Integrity (7 milestones), Respect/Trust (6 milestones), and Service (5 milestones). Students progress by demonstrating milestone behaviors scored on a four-tier scale ranging from Not Working (<25% achieved) to Working (≥75% achieved).