While providing a comprehensive scholastic curriculum, the focus of the therapeutic boarding high schools is on healing and correcting emotional behaviors. However, while previous poor scholastic performance is not a deterrent to admissions, students are strongly encouraged to possess a basic functionality in a classroom setting and a desire to accomplish the tasks presented. Because of the specialized environment, most therapeutic schools operate on a year-round basis with rolling admissions to best accommodate the needs of new and continuing students.

Therapeutic boarding schools are located across the country in a variety of urban and rural settings, including Utah, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Oregon. However, as with any search to do with a child’s education, nothing replaces either an informed telephone call or in-person meeting when deciding if the needs of one’s child match what a particular therapeutic boarding school has to offer. Most reputable schools will have a website with a basic overview of the programs and curriculum the school offers.

The Aspen Education group is an excellent resource in beginning one’s search. The Aspen Education group’s website has access and information about numerous facilities in different geographical locations, providing a quick and efficient way to familiarize oneself with available options. Their webpage is http://www.aspeneducation.com/Res-schools.html.

Additionally, NATSAP, or the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, offer an excellent overview of the current state of therapeutic boarding schools, and have a comprehensive page of links and referrals, not only to schools themselves, but also to support groups and research centers. To take full advantage of NATSAP’s resources, one should be a member of the organization. Visit their website http://www.natsap.org/ for more details on how to join.

As with any major life decision, finding and choosing the appropriate therapeutic boarding school for one’s child is a decision that should be handled with care. Ultimately, one’s child will benefit from the specialized therapeutic healing, and become a better student and a happier person.

Therapeutic boarding high schools attempt to provide an environment for troubled teens, and sometimes younger children, in which they can learn not only about typical school subjects, but about themselves as well. Unlike the “boot camp” approach, these schools try to actually address their pupils’ problems rather than shouting them down.  They may employ professional therapists as well as more-typically-trained educators in order to facilitate healing while providing education.

One component of a therapeutic boarding school program may be a fairly large change in the general environment. Putting the school out in the woods is one way some programs accomplish this. As the children adapt to this change of macro-environment, they are more likely to be receptive to guidance towards other positive changes. The remote location also serves the purpose of limiting access to negative influences—drugs, other out-of-control children who aren’t in therapy, and other bad environmental factors are less able to reach the children in the program. This can be a big help to drug-addicted teens as well as those who need time to build up resistance to pressure from unsavory peers.

Therapeutic boarding schools also offer various sub-programs tailored for each student. There may be drug-addiction programs, various types of psychological help, life-skills training, or other sub-programs offered based on an individual student’s needs.

A good therapeutic boarding school will also provide help to the parents as part of the program. Parents, in general, try to do their best, but for troubled teens this often isn’t enough. Therefore, the school will give parents specific instructions on how to effectively deal with behavioral problems which may arise after their children come back home. Since the home environment will ultimately determine whether there will be long-lasting results from a therapeutic program, this is an essential part of a boarding school’s services.

Therapeutic boarding high schools for boys can offer troubled teens a way to a better future, and are definitely worth considering when dealing with severe, ongoing behavioral issues.