Boarding Schools for Boys — Safe Harbor Offers a Unique and Effective Program

Safe Harbor boarding school is a maritime program designed to teach troubled boys valuable life skills and to instill character, situated in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 1984, Safe Harbor has over 25 years 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 enroll at Safe Harbor may be struggling from depression, rebellion, behavioral and academic issues, minor drug use or trouble with the law, or the upheaval of a major loss in their life. Typically, teens like these need to see a wider view of the world, one not so focused on themselves or keeping up with their peers.

Safe Harbor teaches boating and maritime skills, gives practical life training, and promotes character in the context of vocational education, all while boys work toward their high school diplomas. The boys live on board vessels at this waterfront boarding school. They gain mastery in boating on the ocean and rivers while learning respect for self and others, self-reliance, perseverance, and much more. Each teenager who successfully completes Safe Harbor learns to captain his own vessel, both literally and figuratively.

Boarding Schools for Boys with Year-Round Formal Education, Trades Training and Practical Experience

Teen boys living at Safe Harbor find stability and structure. We think education continues for a lifetime and that each boy learns differently. We structure our academic program to accommodate different learning styles, which gives boys a chance for success. School takes place year-round, letting students catch up wherever they may be lagging academically. Boys who complete the Safe Harbor program receive a high school diploma, and many continue their education at colleges of their choice.

At Safe Harbor Boarding School for Boys, practical knowledge holds as much weight as academic knowledge. Besides all aspects of boating and seamanship, we give vocational training in a variety of topics, like carpentry, boat refurbishing, navigation, log keeping and map reading, welding, engine repair, and basic electrical skills.

We also think boys should be capable in basic life skills. Residents of Safe Harbor are taught to balance a checkbook and handle credit responsibly, find employment using appropriate resume and interview skills, understand basic nutrition, and handle laundry and housekeeping tasks, to name just a few of the topics we cover. Our goal is to make your boy respectful, self-reliant, confident, and competent.

Concerning counseling, our program uses group and individual counseling. The small size of our program ensures ample interaction time with professional staff and mentors.

Safe Harbor Boarding School for Boys from All Over the U.S.

Because of the uncommon nature of the program, we enroll residents from all across the country, Safe Harbor is unlike any other boarding school or boys home and gives boys a transforming opportunity and an adventure that cannot be duplicated. 

To discover more, we invite you to read the rest of our website, then fill out our online inquiry form or contact us directly at (904) 902-0136.

What Parents Say About the Safe Harbor Boarding School for Boys

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

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

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