Level 5 -- "Eagle"

The eagle represents spiritual protection; carries prayers; brings strength, courage, wisdom, healing, and illumination of spirit.  It represents great power, balance, dignity and grace; the creative spirit achieved through knowledge and hard work.  The eagle is “a symbol of the holy spirit which flies as it were through the mind (air) from the higher nature (heaven) to the lower nature (earth) and soars to the sun (self)”

This is the final phase before graduation, during which students complete a realistic transition plan for the futures and put closure on their experience at Hope Ranch.  Students on level 5 are expected to continue exhibiting their leadership capabilities, and also sustain their prior accomplishments.  Transition plans and relationship agreements made during level 5 allow student to consolidate their personal growth and return to their families, schools, and communities in a way that maximizes their chance to continue living the healthy lifestyle that they have pursued at Hope Ranch.  A final goal is to recognize the value of healthy good-byes and closure.

The spiritual goal of level 5 is an internalization of opinions and values.  Students will have developed a process of arriving at decisions based on their values and principles.  Furthermore, the aim is to learn to transcend individual needs for the well-being of community.  Students will read Jesus: The Greatest Life of All to assist them in an exploration of who Jesus is to them and how to have him fully present in their life.