Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eagle Ranch?
Eagle Ranch is a Christ-centered nonprofit serving children and families in North Georgia and North Metro-Atlanta through a whole-family approach to healing, restoration, and renewed relationships. Since 1985, Eagle Ranch has helped thousands of families move toward greater stability, connection, and hope.
Founded as a residential children’s program, Eagle Ranch has grown to include the Family Renewal Residential Program, Family Renewal Day School Program, First Step Counseling, parenting resources, and specialized foster care for vulnerable children with complex placement needs.
The Wings Center at Eagle Ranch extends this mission through outpatient counseling, retreat experiences, and nonprofit consulting services, allowing Eagle Ranch to support children, parents, families, professionals, and organizations with a shared commitment to restoration and renewal.
Why do families turn to Eagle Ranch?
Families turn to Eagle Ranch when challenges at home, school, or in relationships feel difficult to manage alone. Some families are looking for early support and practical parenting tools, while others need more structured help during a season of crisis.
Eagle Ranch offers a range of services designed to meet families at different points of need, including counseling, residential care, therapeutic education, parenting support, and family-focused guidance. Even when Eagle Ranch is not the right fit, our team can help families consider a helpful next step.
Does Eagle Ranch serve non-Christian or non-religious families?
Yes. Eagle Ranch is a Christ-centered organization, and our services are provided from a Christian perspective. However, families do not have to be Christian to receive care.
Eagle Ranch welcomes and serves families from a variety of faith backgrounds, as well as families who do not identify with a faith tradition. We have successfully served many children and families with different beliefs, backgrounds, and life experiences.
What services does Eagle Ranch offer?
Eagle Ranch offers a range of Christ-centered services for children and families, including the Family Renewal Residential Program, Family Renewal Day School Program, First Step Counseling, parenting resources, and specialized foster care for vulnerable children with complex placement needs.
The Wings Center at Eagle Ranch also provides outpatient counseling, retreat experiences, and nonprofit consulting services.
How do I know which Eagle Ranch service is right for my family?
Every family’s situation is different. Some families may benefit from short-term counseling or parenting resources, while others may need a more structured program such as the Family Renewal Residential Program or Family Renewal Day School Program.
The best first step is to contact Eagle Ranch. Our team can learn more about your family’s needs, answer questions, and help you determine whether one of our services may be a good fit.
What is the difference between the Family Renewal Residential Program and the Family Renewal Day School Program?
The Family Renewal Residential Program provides a structured, therapeutic living environment where children live on campus while the whole family works toward healing and reunification.
The Family Renewal Day School Program provides a therapeutic school environment and family counseling support while the child continues to live at home.
Both programs are designed to support children and families through counseling, education, structure, and practical tools for healthier relationships.
Is Eagle Ranch a boarding school?
Eagle Ranch is not a traditional boarding school. While children in the Family Renewal Residential Program live on campus for a season, the program is therapeutic and family-focused, with the goal of helping the whole family heal, restore relationships, and work toward reunification.
Children attend Eagle Ranch School, live in on-campus homes with Homelife Coaches, and participate in a structured environment designed to support emotional, relational, academic, and spiritual growth.
Can my child attend Eagle Ranch School without living on campus?
Yes. Through the Family Renewal Day School Program, students attend the SACS-accredited Eagle Ranch School while continuing to live at home.
This program is designed for families who do not need residential care but would benefit from a therapeutic school environment, counseling support, and family-focused guidance.
What is First Step Counseling?
First Step Counseling provides short-term counseling support for families who need help navigating challenges at home, school, or in relationships.
This service is designed to help families gain insight, stabilize difficult situations, and identify practical next steps for healing and growth.
How does foster care fit into Eagle Ranch’s services?
Eagle Ranch provides specialized foster care for vulnerable children with complex placement needs, including large sibling groups, foster teen moms, and medically complex children.
In partnership with WinShape Homes and local agencies, Eagle Ranch provides on-campus housing with licensed foster parents so children can experience stability, care, and the support of the Eagle Ranch community.
How are families involved at Eagle Ranch?
Family involvement is central to Eagle Ranch’s whole-family approach. Parents, guardians, siblings, and other important family members are included in the healing process whenever appropriate.
Families participate through counseling, training, support, family activities, and practical coaching designed to help them understand challenges, build healthier patterns, and restore relationships. In the Family Renewal Residential Program, children spend regular time at home, including weekends and holiday breaks, so families can stay connected and practice what they are learning together.
What ages does Eagle Ranch serve?
Eagle Ranch serves children and families across different ages and stages through its range of services, including counseling, parenting resources, foster care, residential care, and therapeutic education.
For the Family Renewal Residential Program and Family Renewal Day School Program, eligibility depends on the program. The Family Renewal Day School Program serves students in grades 4–10. The Family Renewal Residential Program serves children who meet program admission criteria, typically students entering or currently in grades 6–9.
Families are encouraged to contact Eagle Ranch directly to discuss their child’s age, grade, needs, and whether one of our services may be a good fit.
What is the average length of the Family Renewal Residential Program and Family Renewal Day School Program?
The length of each family’s participation depends on the child’s needs, family goals, and progress throughout the program.
The Family Renewal Residential Program is typically 12–18 months. The Family Renewal Day School Program is typically 18–36 months. Because each family’s situation is unique, timelines may vary based on the support needed and the goals established with the Eagle Ranch team.
Where do the children and families served by Eagle Ranch come from?
Eagle Ranch primarily serves families in Georgia. Because many services take place on campus, most families come from Northeast Georgia, North Georgia, and North Metro-Atlanta.
For ongoing campus-based services such as the Family Renewal Residential Program and Family Renewal Day School Program, families typically live within an 80-mile range of Eagle Ranch. Families may contact Eagle Ranch directly, and referrals also come from schools, counselors, medical providers, churches, community partners, local agencies, and others connected to children and families.
How do families get started with Eagle Ranch?
Families can begin by contacting Eagle Ranch to share more about their situation and ask questions about available services.
From there, the Eagle Ranch team can help determine whether the Family Renewal Residential Program, Family Renewal Day School Program, First Step Counseling, parenting resources, or another next step may be the best fit for the family’s needs.
Do families have to pay for Eagle Ranch services?
Eagle Ranch uses the FACTS financial aid assessment tool to help determine appropriate service rates for families.
Thanks to generous donors who support Eagle Ranch’s programs and facilities, services are designed to remain affordable and accessible for families across a wide range of income levels.
What is the Eagle Ranch campus like?
Eagle Ranch is located on 495 wooded acres in Flowery Branch, Georgia. With two lakes, wooded trails, wildlife, and peaceful outdoor spaces, the campus provides a calm and restorative environment for children and families.
The campus includes a SACS-accredited school, residential homes, an equine center and riding rings, athletic and activity spaces, meeting facilities, and a 10,000-square-foot outpatient counseling and retreat center. Families also spend time together in lakeside pavilions, on walking trails, and through Ranch activities, trainings, and events.
Beyond program services, the Eagle Ranch campus also hosts community events, volunteer opportunities, retreats, and gatherings designed to encourage connection and support.
Where is Eagle Ranch located?
Eagle Ranch is located on 495 wooded acres in Flowery Branch, Georgia, about 50 miles north of Atlanta and four miles from Interstate 85 in southern Hall County.
Campus address:
5500 Union Church Road
Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 7200
Chestnut Mountain, Georgia 30502
Does Eagle Ranch receive public funding?
Eagle Ranch is primarily funded through private donations from individuals, businesses, churches, and private foundations.
Eagle Ranch also participates in the Georgia GOAL program, which allows individual and corporate taxpayers in Georgia to redirect eligible tax dollars to support private school scholarships. These funds help support the educational portion of Eagle Ranch’s services.
How are donations to Eagle Ranch used?
Eighty percent or more of donations go directly to Eagle Ranch programs and services for children and families. Eagle Ranch has been debt-free since its founding.
Donor support helps make Eagle Ranch’s services affordable and accessible while providing children and families with counseling, education, residential care, foster care support, parenting resources, and other services that help families move toward healing and stability.
