Elk River Academy (ERA), a division of The Pinnacle Schools, is a transitional therapeutic schoolUnlike traditional boarding schools, transitional schools provide a safe environment for students to strengthen the gains made in a short term outdoor therapeutic program. Some students need additional time to work with counselors and continue academic and therapeutic success. Elk River Academy offers a flexible length of stay up to one year with no contracts. Students must complete the Elk River Treatment Program OR other short term outdoor therapeutic program to be eligible for the Elk River Academy.Therapeutic outdoor programs or "wilderness" programs use the setting of the outdoors as a teaching tool to help troubled teens. Typically, these programs offer therapies to assist teenagers who are despondent, have declining grades and who need to develop self-confidence and a heightened sense of self. Some wilderness programs are trekking, which means they set up a new base campus each day. Elk River programs are a medical model and operate on a base campus. Academics are also a key component to all Elk River programs. to attend. Elk River Academy students have made significant gains in the short term but need a transitional living environment to strengthen those gains therapeutically while building their a
cademic skills.
Student's goals are supported by strong relationships with capable, highly trained, ethical and caring adult staff. Elk River Academy students attend group and individual therapy, work on academic courses (see Academics) and participate in hands-on learning projects daily.
We believe parents are an essential part of the treatment team. Parents work closely with the Treatment Team to understand their teen's progress while at Elk River Academy. Upon admission, each student is led by a Treatment Team including:
- parents
- a supervisor
- trained counselors
- a clinician
- professional referral sources
Parents and professional referral sources receive weekly updates on their teen's progress.
- Students live in cabins
- Students may wear their own clothing (appropriate and approved by ERA staff)
- Weekly phone calls home
- Regular family visits
- Periodic off-campus field trips with staff and other students
- Self-directed spending (provided by parents and distributed by ERA staff)
- Writing to selected family and friends (with parents approval)
- Additional earned privileges (CD players, radios, books, etc.)
Elk River Academy supports the mission of The Pinnacle Schools by providing an environment of respect, acceptance and challenge where students can become confident, self-directed, educated and contributing members of society.
