Do You Have a Teenage Boy Who is in Trouble or Struggling to Cope with Life? Are You Seeking Out Christian Boarding Schools Near Cleveland, Georgia? May We Tell You About a Unique Maritime-Based Christian Boarding School Located in Florida, Instead?

Safe Harbor Maritime Academy is a unique maritime experience designed to coach troubled boys in essential life skills and to instill character. 

Safe Harbor Maritime Academy is an alternative boys home and Christian boarding school for boys, located in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 1984, Safe Harbor has over two decades of experience in developing young men of character, integrity, and vision.

The story of Safe Harbor is portrayed in the 2009 movie “Safe Harbor” on the Hallmark Channel, which still airs periodically today. Safe Harbor has been featured nationally in People Magazine, and on CBS This Morning, NBC News Today, CNN, and CBN.

Safe Harbor transforms at-risk teenage boys into mature and capable young men. Boys who are trained at Safe Harbor may be struggling from depression, rebellion, behavioral and school failure, minor drug use or trouble with the law, or the upheaval of a major loss in their life. Frequently, teens in these situations need to see a broader view of the world, one not so fixated on themselves or keeping up with their peers.

Safe Harbor teaches maritime skills and seamanship, offers practical life training, and builds character in the context of vocational education, all while boys work toward their high school diplomas. The boys reside on board boats at this waterfront boarding school. They gain mastery in boating on the ocean and rivers while developing respect for self and others, self-reliance, perseverance, and much more. Each teen who successfully completes Safe Harbor discovers how to captain his own vessel, both literally and figuratively.

Though you may be looking for a boarding school or boys home in Cleveland, Georgia, please consider that the Safe Harbor maritime experience, blended with the individual attention, counsel and training give an unmatched opportunity for growth and change in behavior.

Therapeutic Boarding School With Year-Round Formal Education, Trades Training and Practical Experience

Teen boys living at Safe Harbor thrive with the stability and structure. We believe education goes on throughout life and that each individual learns differently. We set up our academic program to work with different learning styles, which sets boys up for success. School takes place year-round, letting students catch up wherever they may have fallen behind academically. Boys who complete the Safe Harbor program earn a high school diploma, and a lot of them continue their education at two-year and four-year colleges.

At Safe Harbor, practical knowledge holds as much weight as academic knowledge. In addition to all aspects of boating and seamanship, we provide vocational training in a variety of topics, such as woodworking, scuba diving, navigation, log keeping and map reading, welding, engine repair, and basic electrical concepts.

We also believe boys should be competent in basic life skills. Residents of Safe Harbor are taught to balance a checkbook and handle credit responsibly, search for employment using appropriate resume and interview skills, understand basic nutrition, and handle grocery shopping and cooking, to name just a handful of the topics we cover. Our goal is to make your boy respectful, self-reliant, confident, and competent.

Christian-Based Program — Because Change Comes from the Heart

Safe Harbor teaches teens practical lessons based on the biblical book of Proverbs, and our overall methods are grounded in God’s Word. We want teens to ask the meaningful questions about life and find out the answers for themselves.

Concerning counseling, our program uses group and individual counseling, both from a mental health professional and from a pastoral counselor. The small size of our program gives an abundance of interaction time with professional staff and mentors.

Residents At the Safe Harbor Boarding School Come from All Over the U.S., Including from Families in Cleveland, Georgia.

Because of the unique nature of the program, we take residents from all across the country, including from Cleveland, Georgia. Safe Harbor is like no other boarding school or boys home and gives boys a character-molding opportunity and an adventure that cannot be duplicated in Cleveland, Georgia. As you continue your search in Cleveland, Georgia and elsewhere, thank you for looking at Safe Harbor Maritime Academy situated on the East Coast in Jacksonville, Florida.

To discover more, we invite you to read the remainder of our website, then fill out our online inquiry form or contact us directly at (904) 757-7918.

What Parents Say About the Safe Harbor Boarding School for Boys

Safe Harbor has been our salvation. –Carolyn (mother)

Safe Harbor has been a life saver for him and me. –Susan (mother)

Robbie, we can’t thank you and Doug enough for all the time and energy all of you have invested in our son. Our boys are a precious gift from our Lord and Savior. It means so much that you all view him and treat him with the same respect. It has been incredible to see the Lord’s hand throughout this experience. I am looking forward to see how the Lord continues to work in his life. –Parents of a graduate

I just can’t thank you enough for all you have done for our family. –Father of graduate

I am just soooo excited my son was blessed with this opportunity. Today was the first Sunday in years that I know our son has a clear vision. From being scared to enlightened feels wonderful. –Lisa (mother)

Well, if you ask us how our son is doing we would both smile and say GREAT! –Mother

I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate what all of you at Safe Harbor are doing for us. –Parent

Each of us are truly grateful for the program which you have developed and what a positive impact and turn around you have made in our son’s life. He especially tells of all the good which you helped developed in him. –Parent

Thank you for not only being a part of his life, but being instrumental in it! Through you, God has changed the course of his life . . . he is able to cope with life, has a work ethic, and seems to be flourishing in the Army. I am amazed at his turn around every time I talk to him. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for you. You were truly a God-send to my family. –Dad of a graduate

My son is now a joy to have around and helps with the dogs and the house. We are grateful for Safe Harbor and the integrity, discipline, and morals which you taught our son. He stands tall, he is respectful, happy, and healthy. –Parents

Thanks for all you do. I am pleased my son is at Safe Harbor. –Parent