Located in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Boulder Creek Academy is a year-round co-education boarding school that welcomes students from 8th through 12th grade with difficulties succeeding in traditional school systems, particularly those with behavioral, clinical, and academic challenges. Parents of students like those at Boulder Creek Academy may find it overwhelming when looking for the right boarding school. The following are things to consider while looking at potential boarding schools.

1. Four Things to Consider When
Choosing a Therapeutic Boarding
School
Boulder Creek Academy

2. Introduction
• Located in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Boulder Creek Academy is a year-
round co-education boarding school that welcomes students from
8th through 12th grade with difficulties succeeding in traditional
school systems, particularly those with behavioral, clinical, and
academic challenges. Parents of students like those at Boulder Creek
Academy may find it overwhelming when looking for the right
boarding school. The following are things to consider while looking
at potential boarding schools.
1. Seek professional assistance. Consult an experienced
therapeutic professional to help identify the difficulties your child is
facing and the assistance he or she needs to succeed in school. Get
support from an educational consultant who can also provide
recommendations for residential and therapeutic programs that
may help your child.

3. Therapeutic Boarding School
• 2. Check credentials and reputation. Before considering a
school or program, do a thorough examination of its credentials,
including program accreditation, licensure, and its reputation
within the boarding school community. Remember to pay the school
a visit so you get a firsthand look at the campus and speak to the
staff that will be interacting with your child.
3. Avoid punishment-based approaches. Avoid schools that
promote a punishment-based approach to teaching and discipline,
particularly those that deprive students of basic needs or require
participation in a wilderness program prior to enrollment. Instead,
consider schools that use positive approaches with a focus on
building character, increasing self-esteem, and addressing the
child’s academic and clinical needs.

4. Conclusion
• 4. Ask about family involvement. Programs
that encourage family participation help repair
and restore bonds. But beware of programs that
strictly limits family communication and
visitation. Programs that seek to isolate students
from their loved ones may do more harm than
good.