Therapeutic Boarding School in WA / MT Region

Turning Winds Academic Institute:
Are you searching for a quality therapeutic boarding school in the Northwest for a troubled teenage boy or girl? Turning Winds Academic Institute (TWAI) is an internationally-accredited, family-run boarding school for troubled teens in Montana (just 4 hours from Spokane WA). We serve struggling youth and their families across the U.S. seeking the benefits of a therapeutic boarding school, a wilderness program, and/or a residential treatment center (RTC) in the Pacific Northwest region (including Washington State, Idaho and Montana). TWAI is also authorized to issue 1-20's for international students.

- We provide an extremely high standard of therapeutic treatment to our students ages 13-18, and offer help for the following presenting issues: poor academic performance, behavioral problems, addictions, low self-worth, spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD, and attachment disorders among others.

- Located on a beautiful 150 acre campus in northwestern Montana, TWAI provides an exceptional serene, safe and healing environment. We are only 4 hours by car from Spokane WA.

- We are a small program (40 students) which means that we are able to provide a truly unique and customized approach for every student.

- We offer a 5:1 staff-to-student ratio, and our clinical, educational, and operations staff are among the best in the United States. Our experienced and dedicated staff have a genuine passion for helping young people in crisis.

- At TWAI, you can be assured that your troubled teen will not fall through the cracks. We aim to create a powerful and meaningful experience for each child, and ensure that they are constantly engaged in therapeutic, academic, social, and physical and social activities which build strength of body, mind, and character. 

- TWAI has been serving struggling teens and their families since 2002, with an exceptional degree of success. We have helped more than 1,000 teens and their families.

- We accept insurance which ultimately allows parents the affordability of treatment.

TWAI is accredited by National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPPSA), and Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC).

In addition, our program is accredited by NATSAP (National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs), PAARP (Private Alternative Adolescent Residential Program), AdvancED, AEE (Association for Experiential Education), and Character.org.

Academic Programs:
- Middle School Program
- High School Program
- College Preparation / AP Classes
- Accelerated Learning
- SAT/ACT Testing Center
- Credit Recovery
- Anti-Bullying Program
- GED Program
- College-level Courses

TWAI graduates average a 3.5 GPA. It is common for a student to complete 1.5 years of course work in 1 year.

98% of our high school graduates go on to attend trade school or college. Some of our students have gone on to attend some of the top Universities and Ivy League schools.

Program Duration:
We provide a customized treatment approach that does not require 18- 24 months like other programs; however, we do require a 3 months commitment.

In our experience, the best results for lasting success is realized through a time period of 6 + months of treatment.  The average stay at our residential treatment center is 12 months.

"I feel that her life path has been corrected and that is a relief. I can’t thank you enough for the love you have shown to my family. Cindee and I will be eternally grateful.”
- Mike

"Thank you!!!! From the beginning phone call to the first visit, the entire staff has demonstrated a genuine caring for our entire family. Each and every one of them have treated me with kindness during this difficult decision to place him in this program. They always have time to answer any questions or concerns and put my concerns at ease.

TWAI truly cares about the children and the families they serve. They are a “Solution” not a band-aid to the children and families in their program. Thank you for giving my Son the tools and the guidance that he needed to start his road to being a successful member of society."
- Kim

"What a change and all for the good! It was heartening to see a smile on her face, and just for the record, she went out of her way to tell me that she felt TWAI was “her home” — not anything like an institution. I was especially happy to hear that because that was what I personally was hoping for. I have never wanted her to feel that we placed her in an ‘institution.’"
- Carol

"I would like to express my unconditional gratitude for every single one of you! My life is a lot brighter than I ever thought it could be! There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about Turning Winds. My family and I discuss it quite often with laughter and tears as to all the wonderful memories I have made there.

I miss it a lot and I always ask for a plane ticket to Spokane for a Christmas, or birthday gift :) That place is holy ground in my eyes, a place of love, change, hardship, struggle, and strength. Thank you all for the roles you have played in my life for me to finally see a greater potential then I could possibly imagine.

Life is wonderful and has its moments of pure bliss… all because of that place… that place that changed me… Turning Winds Academic Institute… my home away from home."
- Abby