River View Christian Academy was the best decision I could have made for my very angry teenage daughter. It was the safest place she could have been at that time in her life. The staff is incredible. They give completely of themselves. Teaching and loving them during a time when they need it the most. My daughter learned how to really communicate and be responsible for herself and others. Brenae Jones read more

I can't say enough about the staff at RVCA. They are fully comitted to loving and caring for these kids with their whole hearts. They each personally invest in the lives of the children celebrating alongside them, mourning losses, laughing, crying and everything in between. I have seen firsthand lives changed for the better through this program. read more

River View Christian Academy - Religious Schools Near Me - Lake Elsinore, California

Thank God for a facility that provides thoughtful guidance to struggling youth. I would be sadden by any attempts to diminish the opportunities this program offers. Not everyone is supportive of a program that discourages harmful behavior and offers positive, productive options. There is a place in the world for mentors. read more

Though Phil claims my review is not true or exaggerated, everything I've said is the truth. While I was there as a student, I was more qualified to teach the other students, and in fact after I graduated high school early, answered their questions during tutoring because none of the staff was capable. There are still no teachers with credentials today, nor are there medically trained staff or staff with licenses to practice therapy available for the RVCA students. Additionally, I personally attended the school during my 15 months with multiple students who reported rape to staff and not only were their assaults not reported to authorities, but they were called liars. This is not exaggerated, nor made up -- it's fact. read more

My nephew was sent there about a year ago, and this school worked wonders for him. I visited once and I was impressed with their organization. Being in a remote mountain area keeps teen safe away from drugs, booze and all the bad stuff. Their curriculum is based on merit and responsibility, the better one behaves, the faster they graduate. Yet, the school is still gentle, there is no barbed wire or detention. I also like the fact that the students are kept busy all the time and are never left alone. You know the saying about 'idle hands'.... In this world of decaying morals and temptation, where else could you find a place like this? read more

Pure horror was what I felt after getting to re-know my child when he came home. I don't know if there is anything comparable that I have done in my life as a mother, that I regret as much as this decision I made for my son. He no longer has his kind and soft side everyone knew him for and he rarely smiles or laughs. He just does everything with a frown and makes no effort to connect to anyone anymore. I see now that RVCA made no effort to work through the existing problems he had. All they did was exterminate every trait in his personality until the problems and every good and bad thing in him was gone. The problems that lead me to enroll my son there were small, such as too much time on social media and mediocre grades. I really believed that all he needed was a little break from his socially loaded life to gather his thoughts alone and peacefully. But I never should have interfered because I recieved my son back as broken person who I can hardly recognize. The only things recognizable that were left in my son was the non-rebellious nature he always had, and the respect he gives out so freely. However, as a mother, those two magnified traits are not enough for me to be proud of who I raised my son to be, and I have the most heart felt regret for putting my son through that traumatic experience. And there isn't a day where I don't think of how much emotional turmoil RVCA put my son through, and how I am to blame for that. Please, if you are a scared parent like I was, experiencing problems with your teen, spare yourself the horror I felt when receiving my child back from RVCA. Seek out real help and do the duty of raising your child at home where you can watch them change and grow. Not blindly sending them away with absolutely no insight of how your child is improving, and expecting them to come back all fixed. I say with full confidence that RVCA will not truly help you child. It will only leave fragments of their unique personality you cherish left, and there will be problems your child will have after RVCA that will tower over any they may have had prior. Please take to heart what I have said, and find any other way possible to help you child. read more

Originally I came on here because my mom had texted me that the former JYA was in hot water once again (morally) for punishing girls who were gay. Was having trouble with the link she sent & when I googled teen rescue yelp popped up with a place called RVCA (knowing a staff member at JYA who was fond of the actual brand RVCA) I had a feeling this was the former. I ended up seeing Rosemary's review & felt compelled to say something. Rosemary & I both went through the program together (I was sent away Oct 2005 - Feb 2007) I should mention that she & I have not spoken in years. Yes, a lot could have changed in the 12-13 years since we "graduated" but for Phil to say Rosemary is exaggerating &/or lying altogether is bs. Everything she wrote is true & reading his response is what fueled me to write this. They say that they are healing you & your family but being there brings on an entirely new type of stress. It was constantly emotionally/mentally stressful. There were even a few staff members who I know enjoyed docking our points. It was such a traumatic experience (16 months for me) I learned quickly to play the game & get the hell out of there. While others chose to fight is & 3 years later, they were still there. It's an absolute waste of your money. The anger & pain & confusion you feel once sent there & then again once you come home for good is not worth it. While I was gone I had my grandpa & a friend pass away (I found out he was killed in a car accident when I ran into a friend on a home visit) I was on L2 & it was a week before level change (L3 is the level you find out your graduation date & you're moved up to L4 immediately after so, I was within weeks of going home for good) they pulled me aside & told me I was being put on level hold because I didn't know how to handle disappointment well enough & my parents agreed! I was grieving 2 deaths, one I wasn't even allowed to talk about!! Also, my parents had no clue they were putting me on level hold. It was a blatantly cruel lie. The no talk & writing lines as punishment is also 100% true! I'm curious what the reason is behind the name change.. was is after former student turned staff Jessica Bradford tainted their name? It's simply impossible to sum this place up in a nutshell for a review, bottom line... Rosemary's review is true & it's not even the tip of the iceberg. read more

Very regretfully sending our son there. More damage than before.... Safe? Kids there escaped 2-3 time in 3 months. Hard to reach them- they don't answer or return calls from parents. Really wish the staff candle issue w/ God's love.... read more

RVCA helped not only our child, but our entire family. We all had to learn how to communicate with one another in an healthier way, confront our own issues and work through them and learn to love and discipline our child in a new way. It takes humility to be able to see that parents need to be accountable for their choices and the family environment. Our child made unsafe choices and needed to be out of the current environment to be able to make positive choices as well as learning healthy coping skills. No place or program is perfect; and RVCA has made changes along the way as they have learned too. We experienced lots of parent involvement the entire time, as well as Staff encouragement and support. Our child is a wonderful young adult that has expressed an appreciation for what was learned and experienced at RVCA. That is why they keep going back to volunteering and visit!! read more

My son has been attending RVCA and we have had a great experience with the school and leadership team. The property is situated on 260 acres with fresh air, no cell phones, no video games where they learn who they are inside. I am not sure who is writing the recent reviews, but there is no violence. The counselors are very caring, and take a thoughtful approach to working with the students interpersonal skills and help teach them communication and life skills, and personal responsibility for their actions and outcomes. My son is happy, smiling, and back to his old self. He is catching up on school, and in an environment where I know he is safe and cared for. read more

Our child was at this school for 1 year. I truly believe it saved her life. The staff was amazing. I would watch them working with other students and talking to others parents. They were always very kind and loving. Never did I witness questionable behavior. They ran a very structured program. You could tell that the kids thrived off of structure and discipline. I thank God everyday for leading my family to this school when we were going through such a difficult time in our family. My child has been home for 2 years now. I asked my child the other day what she thought of her time at RVCA and she told me that she was very grateful for having the opportunity to go there and that she would highly recommend this school to any child in need. We need more schools like RVCA to help kids that are struggling with growing up and staying in the right track. My child hopes to work there one day and help out kids that at one point in her life she could relate to. read more

It was nothing but a wake up call for me. Whether I ended up showing it or not I am and was so grateful for being able to be in a school such a this one. This place changed the way a looked at my life in the most positive way ever. I wish I had made better choices while in the program so I could have stayed longer. Some girls don't want to admit it but I for one needed this place to help me come to certain realities in life. This place helped me over come a lot of inner battles I was facing at the time with their amazing staff. I will forever support RVCA , this place is a complete blessing ! A second chance at bettering yourself ! read more

RVCA is an amazing, safe and nurturing place for kids with difficult backgrounds. School staff love and thoroughly know your child. Don't go in thinking this will be a cake walk: it will be difficult for you and your child as your teen dives into understanding why s/he is there and what changes they need to make in their lives. Being apart physically for a time will give you and your child the opportunity to grow as individuals, as a parent, as a daughter/son, and as a family, as well as work on their schooling. I wholeheartedly recommend this school as one parent to another, especially to parents who are having difficult times with their child and need a safe place for their child. While your teen's experience will be determined how s/he chooses to respond while at RVCA, your child will be loved throughout by some of the coolest, solid people I've met, they really are the best! read more

My husband and I researched many places before placing my very angry and defiant daughter here. It was a very difficult decision but the best one. The staff are incredible, they truly care and work hard showing the kids how to make the right choices. They want the kids to succeed, but ultimately it's up to the individual kid, if you have teenagers, you know that is sometimes difficult. It's a long road with its hills and valleys. What I like most about RVCA is the fact the parents are learning right along with the student. If my daughter is learning about anger management, so are my husband and I. When my daughter comes home they will set us up for success. They will give us the tools to help her. She has a long way to go before she comes home but I do know RVCA is the best place for her during these difficult times. She needs to heal as well as our family. I don't know where she would be if we didn't place her there. It's also comforting to know many former students return to volunteer or work there. To me, that says a lot. This school is doing great things with difficult kids. Thank you RVCA and may God bless, all staff and students. read more

We are blessed to have found River View Christian Academy (Teen Rescue) when we did. Prior to enrolling, our family unit was struggling. Our son has shown so much growth in the short time he has been there. The campus and their "off the grid" approach allowed our son to be able to reprioritize his life and focus on himself and his issues, allowing us to become a stronger family. Our future is now bright. We can't wait for him to graduate and watch his journey into adulthood. read more

Thank you Phil and the entire staff who are continually selfless day in and day out. My daughter attended 2 1/2 years and she will tell you herself it saved her life. To this day Tiffany, her family and her devoted staff still provide an abundance of love and support for my daughter and I. They have become family and I could never do enough to repay them for their endless support love and friendship again thank you all! If any parent has questions or concerns or inquires please request the list of parents who have gladly provided their names and numbers so that you can call them directly and get real answers on their experience as a parent along with their child's. I truly cannot recommend RVCA enough. I believe the saying is "It takes a village to raise a child" and I can tell you today and my daughter would tell you herself I dont know where my daughter would be if it wasnt for this entire academy! From the corporate office which assists you in any way they can in a very scary, hard, exhausting and the point of a breakdown not so fine moment when your making the decision weather or not this is the right choice for your child and your family. Let's face it no one ever wants to find themselves in this moment as a parent, but they are there when and if you do. Everyone arrives at RVCA with their own story and a chance at a new beginning. On campus staff works side by side with you and your child. I have to tell you first hand the amount of patience this entire staff has with our children is astounding! The amount of support and unconditional love is truly endless. I have witnessed it time and time again personally and with others. Ultimately each child that attends RVCA is in total control of their own actions, reactions and decision making. Just like in life every good choice has a reward and every poor choice has consequence. Lucky for them in this very structured and consistent enviorment they get to test this at their own pace and can expect a consistent result as where at home these choices might result in jail or even worse. RVCA brings families back together, they give us all hope when we feel like we are losing it. I truly can not say enough. Thank you again RVCA for all of the lives you touch and saveIt is an honor knowing you all! read more

piece of shit. i was sent there and ended up leaving with serious psychological trauma. my parents are regretful too. they mistreet kids a lot, don't let them interact with their family besides a visit once a month that doesn't always happen. no internet, cannot keep in touch with friends or distant family members, the mood was always negative, kids were always sad or rebelling and staff were harsh, 60% of the kids were under constant discipline,kids would run away at least once a month (i know 5 kids who ran away in a single month, and a student almost graduating who got his entire program restarted to 0 and got asked to redo it, he ended up running away, which is fucking insane) mercy is something that DOES NOT exist in this place. kids weren't even allowed to talk or make eye contact besides students on a higher level. school was mediocre, and credits would be taken away if the student left without graduating program. meals and showers could be taken away if student didn't want to do his discipline, which most of the times was given for pathethic reasons, like not filling your water bottle over 3/4, not finishing the food or forgetting a fucking PEN, with others. After i left this program, 3 students who were about to graduate, and had done everything perfectly, were completely erased all their progress and asked to do the program again. One was sent to jail, one ran away, and the other one ended up expelled. If you're trying to send your kid HERE, I hope this perspective from both a student and his parents make you reconsider your decision. And if you're trying to count on the current students perspectives, they are forced to talk good about the place to you, otherwise they are given discipline and docks (points taken off). read more