This boarding school for at risk teens from ages 13 to 18. Located in the small town of Kanab with the population of almost 4000 people. Locals refer to Kanab as "Little Hollywood" due to its history as a filming location for western movies. Kanab is situated centrally between Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon (North Rim), and Zion National Park.

The school building in Kanab Utah

One barber shop in town. Fred the barber. I stopped in and visited with him and the 6 people waiting for a hair cut. He should know about the school and people in town. And he did. I asked for an appointment for a trim. All 6 guys told me to go ahead first. So I was next! Typical of the hospitality in this town.

The computer lab at Abundant Life Academy

Fred said sure he knows the Abundant Life Academy . It's for troubled teens. He went on to say he sees the kids in town and in the park doing public service volunteer work around town. Just yesterday he said about 20 girls were in the park coloring Easter eggs as others were hiding them round the park. The students often wear a Polo shirt with the school’s logo so it is easy to recognize them. Also Fred went on to say these are good behaved kids, doing helpful activities in the neighborhood.

Dorm Room

There are about 60 kids currently enrolled. About half are girls. These children mostly come from evangelical Christian families. So even though this is not a highly therapeutic school, the structure is in place to help keep the kids out of trouble and help them do their academic work.

The boys live and study on one side of the building and the girls on the other. Occasionally they’ll meet in the cafeteria or in an activity.

Abundant Life Chapel on campus

The school provides parent and child group meetings were the lectures are about understanding themselves and working at reuniting the family and strengthening themselves to do the right things,

The parents I met there were all very positive about the child’s progress in the 9 month program offered at Abundant Life Academy . One student who had just recently turned 18 told me he was looking forward to staying a little longer and graduating high school.

Class room

These kids are kept out of harms way until they may reach a maturity were they can function as productive adults.

Steve Bozak with Ron, a parent rep, at Abundant Life Academy

Steve@Bozak.org CEP, Ed-consultant