Since 1957, Cookson Hills has provided a nurturing home, quality Christian education, and therapy services in a safe and trauma-informed environment. Located in the rural Cookson Hills region of Northeast Oklahoma, we serve kids ages 5-17 who want to write a better story for their lives. We offer a no-cost solution for kids who have faced challenges with family life, school truancy, homelessness, poor peer relationships, or experienced abuse and neglect. Our staff and many volunteers come together to fulfill our vision – to raise up healthy individuals who are empowered to positively impact future generations.
To be a houseparent at Cookson Hills means you get to walk hand in hand with a child and witness little nuggets of growth. It's a little taste of eternity. This is something much bigger than us. We are walking with the next generation, and hopefully, they will take that wisdom, knowledge, and love to the nations."
- Amanda Zamarron (House Mom)
Kids start their life at Cookson Hills by becoming part of a family. They move into one of our 12 childcare homes with married Christian houseparents who provide a stable and loving home, support their educational goals, and teach necessary life skills.
Kids work with their Cookson Hills social worker to develop a personalized Plan of Care (POC). This plan gives students the opportunity to recognize areas of growth and set goals that will help them write a better story. Houseparents walk alongside children as the child works toward achieving their goals.
For many kids, Cookson Hills is the only home they will ever know. Their biological families are permanently out of the picture or unable to care for them. So, the people at Cookson Hills become family, and houseparents become surrogate parents. God’s relentless love for these kids is revealed through family life at Cookson Hills.
Kids at Cookson Hills attend our on-site, ACSI Certified, K-12 Christian School. Students arrive throughout the year, so year-round sessions give them the opportunity to easily jump into a class. Educational gaps such as lacking a basic foundation, struggling with reading, failing subjects, or excessive absences are common prior to enrollment. So, we adjust for these challenges on an individual basis. We offer opportunities for credit recovery, earning college credit, and partnering with local tech sites for vocational training.
Our school staff focuses on educating students academically, spiritually, and socially in a trauma-informed environment and integrates a Biblical worldview into all content areas. Small class sizes allow teachers to make sure each student is getting the personalized instruction he or she needs to succeed.
Difficult behavior in the classroom isn’t unique to Cookson Hills, but the way we treat students with behavior issues is. Faculty offer care and training to help students build lifelong strategies for addressing the root of their difficulties. This helps produce students who can confidently engage in learning.
CHCS offers competitive athletic programs, including girls' volleyball and basketball and boys' basketball and cross country. Additionally, students have the opportunity to take part in equine programs, band, and vocal ensembles.
At Cookson Hills, students are surrounded by a culture of deep spiritual values. Kids participate in a range of faith-based activities, including Sunday Worship, daily family devotions, and family prayer time.
Additionally, housefamilies enjoy outings such as sporting events, concerts, swimming, hiking, festivals, and family vacations.
