Therapeutic boarding school

A therapeutic boarding school is an institution where students reside on campus and are provided with both educational and therapeutic services. These institutions first began to emerge in the late 1960s.

Description

A therapeutic boarding school is an institution where students reside on campus and are provided with both educational and therapeutic services. Unlike private boarding schools or public schools, they operate all year long with no spring break or summer vacation or other holidays.^[1] Enrollment is open all year around and typical enrollment in such schools lasting between one and two years. Therapeutic boarding schools are often located in rural countryside.^[2]

Therapeutic boarding schools are known for their strict rules and structured environments, which are designed to promote discipline and focus. Students are typically prohibited from using personal electronic devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, or other entertainment devices. Access to privileges, such as phone calls, is often contingent upon a level-based system where students must earn the right through good behavior or meeting specific therapeutic milestones. When permitted, phone calls are typically limited to family therapy sessions and are closely monitored to ensure they align with therapeutic objectives.^[3][4] These privileges can be revoked as part of the disciplinary process, reinforcing accountability and adherence to program rules.^[5]

History

Therapeutic boarding schools began manifesting in North American societies in the late 1960s.^[6] starting with early therapeutic boarding schools such CEDU, DeSisto School and Élan School.

In popular culture

Books

• No Direction Home by Greg Cayea
• What it Takes to Pull Me Through by David L. Marcus.

Films and Television

• Higher Ground

See also

• Alternative school
• Behavior modification facility
• Outdoor education
• Residential education
• Residential treatment center
• Therapeutic community
• Troubled teen industry
• List of Therapeutic boarding schools