Who we are

     We are not a typical boarding school for young men--we are much, much better. Why? First of all, we genuinely care about helping the students in our school. A typical boarding school or program warehouses as many kids as possible in a facility where education is a minor concern and where control, not achievement, is the primary goal.

     While Spirit Dance Youth Academy is not a therapeutic school for boys with serious mental or criminal issues, we have a nationally recognized talent for taking young men who are failing in life and, in a relatively short time period, returning them to their former promise.

     Our Spirit Dance Youth Academy staff members tutor struggling youth in their schoolwork, and are able to give them a tremendous amount of one-on-one attention daily. We focus on building relationships to the point where our students are willing to allow us to help them with their problems.

     Nowhere else will you find a place where your son will find more support to accomplish his goals than at Spirit Dance.

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     Specifically, we are known for our success in catching young men up in scholastics, teaching progressive study habits that will prepare them to compete in college and helping them through the behavioral issues that have alienated them from those who love them.

     Student populations are small (5- 30) depending on the time of the year, and every student has direct help from some of the most qualified secondary school teachers in the nation.

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Our Staff

   Our unique staff is a conglomeration of experienced and idealistic specialists that truly believe that they can make a positive change in the lives of youth.  Most came from some of the most widely known at-risk youth programs because they were tired of working where little or no emphasis was placed on actual change or academic excellence.

   Get to know a couple of our key staff members:

Marv Forsythe

   Marv brings his many talents and broad experience to Spirit Dance Youth Services. Marv has a degree in business administration and has been involved in his own businesses for over 30 years. Marv also has extensive experience working with young people in church youth programs, as a school teacher, and as a residential supervisor at Aspen Ranch School in Loa Utah .

   Marv has a proven ability to develop positive, meaningful relationships with the young people he works with and is dedicated to helping them acquire the skills and tools that they will need to be successful in life.

   Marv is an experienced rancher, devoting much time to raising cattle and raising and training horses. He is also an accomplished author having written and published 4 significant novels including his latest, "The Omega Line." Through his writing Marv demonstrates his interest and knowledge of history. He is especially interested in and has a broad knowledge of Native American history as well as Native American philosophies and traditions. Marv also has become an excellent Native American flute player.

   Marv has been married for 30 years and has 9 children and 11 grandchildren. 

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