Top 10 Recommendations for Schools and Therapeutic Programs
Apologies in advance if you came here expecting that I’d be listing 10 specific schools or therapeutic programs that I recommend. That’s not actually what this is. However, if you stick around, I think you’ll find something even more useful.
I spend about 20% of my time on the road, traveling to boarding schools, day schools, and therapeutic programs. All of this traveling adds up, and in the course of a year I will visit upwards of 100 different schools and programs (see my Year in Review below). Some I love; some, not so much.
The most 10 most important things I’m looking for in order to recommend a school or program are:
Does the school or program live out its mission? In other words, does what I see in action on the ground match what the program describes itself to be on paper. If not, why not?
WHO would this school or program be a good fit for?
Who would this school or program NOT be a good fit for?
Does the school or program have the resources they need to provide the services they promise?
What are the qualifications and experiences of the people providing clinical care?
What are the qualifications and experiences of the people providing the education?
What are the qualifications and experiences of the people providing residential support?
Where are the spaces that the school or program creates a sense of community for it’s students?
If I recommended this program to a family, do I trust that they would receive high quality care, an appropriate education, in a safe and warm environment?
Would I send my own child here if it was an appropriate fit for their needs?
These questions just scratch the surface of what I’m looking at (I have a seven page list of questions I ask / answer on any given visit). But if you’re visiting programs on your own, they’re a good start. I wrote a post last year that went into more detail about my time on Accreditation committees and why that experience gives me unique perspective and level of expertise in vetting programs. It’s that experience that helped shape these questions.
And I certainly have plenty of opportunities to put that experience to work. In looking back at 2024, I’ve logged thousands of miles, visiting the following 80 programs*:
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Currey Ingram Academy
Dublin School
Hampshire Country School
Kimball-Union Academy
Mountain Springs Prep Academy
New Hampton School
Northfield Mount Hermon
Oliverian
Perkiomen School
Proctor Academy
St. Andrews School (Barrington, Rhode Island)
Salisbury School
Solebury School
Tilton School
Verde Valley School
Wasatch Academy
White Mountain School (now closed)
Williston Northampton School
Winchendon School (Massachusetts campus)
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Clearview Psychological Services (Neuropsych testing)
OnSite Intensives
Pathfinder (Costa Rica Gap Semesters)
Vivid Safehouse
Wolfeboro Camp School
Woodhouse Academy (Therapeutic Day School)
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Alina Lodge
Algamus
Anew
Arch Academy
Caron Treatment Centers
Integrative Life Center
Milestones at Onsite
Mountain Valley Treatment Center
Newport Academy - Connecticut
Newport Academy - Oakley
Viewpoint Center
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Alpine Academy
Black Mountain Academy
Catalyst RTC
Cherokee Creek Boys School
Crimson Heights
Elevations Academy
Eva Carlston
InBalance Academy
Kings Daughters
Kiva Adventure Ranch
Kolob Canyon
KW Legacy Ranch
La Europa Academy
Lava Heights
LiveStrong House
Moonridge Academy
New Summit Academy
Provo Canyon School
Sandhill Center
Seven Stars
Sunrise RTC
Valley View School
Waterfall Canyon
Waterford Country School
Waypoint Academy
Whetstone Academy
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Anasazi Foundation
Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness
Legacy Outdoor Adventure
Juniper Canyon
Pure Life (Costa Rica)
Three Peaks Ascent
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The Bridge (Costa Rica)
Brightstone Transitions
Costa Rica Recovery
Frog Hollow Farm
InBalance
Partners Creating Community
The Point (Puerto Rico)
Rainbow Acres
Red Mountain Sedona
ScenicView Academy
Spring Lake Ranch
Synergy Houses
*These are not recommendations or even endorsements - for more information on whether or not a particular program is appropriate for you or a loved one, please schedule time to talk with us.
So the next time you get my “On the Road Again” auto-responder in my email, it’s a safe bet that I’m on campus somewhere, making sure that if I’m going to recommend a program, it’s one that I know and trust.