Sunburst Youth Academy

Yvette Yvonne Estrada _{on Google}

Feb 25th, 2024

Sunburst has an excellent curriculum that incorporates life skills. We recommend this school to any "At Risk" teen, as long as they are serious about learning & graduating. This was my first time ever becoming a mentor, and I must admit, has been very rewarding and fulfilling, especially since my mentee was taking this step in her life very serious. Thank you SSG Garcia & all staff for your hard work and hospitality!

Pug Yoga _{on Google}

Feb 14th, 2024

My daughter has not completed the program yet, but I got a letter from her today that blew my mind so I could not wait to post my review. I miss her deeply but I am 100% sure that she is exactly where she needs to be. She was 2 years behind in school due to the pandemic and other factors, she was also a little out of control behaviorally and I felt like I was at the end of my rope. I had nothing left to try. I needed help and she needed more structure than I was able to provide. She is changing and growing exponentially at Sunburst and there are not too many words that can really express my gratefulness for this program and the various staff that dedicate their lives to these kids. These people don't have an easy job, but it's evident that they serve these kids with passion and purpose. These are people that get to wake up every day and make a difference. They are showing these kids some serious tough love, skills and habits that will change the course of their lives. Not all kids are meant to be soldiers, but I am convinced that this "military style boot camp" approach works for so many. May Sunburst Youth Academy continue to prosper and grow and be an example to cities around the world. This program is the real deal. If you are considering Sunburst for your child, don't let the application process or the roll calls or the parenting classes deter you. Your kid is worth it. Your relationship with your kid is worth it. And best of all, they really do HAVE FUN there!

Cristina Deh-Lee _{on Google}

Jul 14th, 2022

My son was going to attend last summer July 2022. We had to go to their role call several times on a Saturday prior to beginning the 5 months boarding school. They EMAILED me 3 days prior to beginning this journey to let us know that they changed their mind!!
PARENTS BE AWARE THAT THIS ESTABLISHMENT has refused to accept my son based on a prior childhood assessment of my kid experiencing Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) during elementary school. So on the last role call Saturday event, my son let them know he had a fractured ankle but they STILL singled him out of the group of boys to run! He refused because he was not completely healed and since he chose not to wear his boot on this day, visually he appeared normal. THEY WERE TESTING HIM to see if he was being defiant!! Can you believe that? Afterwards, I spoke with the Sargeant, he explained to me that, last semester Winter 2021-22 they experienced another student with ODD and told me that it was difficult to manage and they wanted to see if my son was too difficult to handle too! THEY WANTED MY SON TO RUN AROUND THE FIELD WITH A FRACTURED ANKLE! That was the test he failed. Three days before he was really motivated and enthusiastic, this was a pivotal time in my sons life! He got rejected by a wrong assessment, it was too late for summer school now.I know that this is a military run school but these are young teenagers, hoping to get help. They all have to want to come here not by force. We had began the prior year and my son wasnt ready then in Winter of 2020-21. And we went through another season of rigorous preparation. I had purchased over $500 worth of supplies including $100 postage stamps to stay in touch through mail with my son! (They dont allow phone calls except on special earned occasions or once a month.) So having this experience with SUNBURST ACADEMY was such a disappointment and made me wonder if this was the best place for my son. BTW-I grew up on an American military base in Japan for over ten years. I went to a Department of Defense (DOD) school all my life. So, I have experience in military based run school system. Hindsight, be careful of what you put on that application if youre interested to apply here! They do not like kids who have had problems and whether 99% of the reviews are good, I beg to differ the status quo