The academic programs at Youth Care and Pine Ridge adolescent residential treatment centers are designed to meet students’ individual needs. Our certified teachers are trained to work with gifted students, students with learning difficulties, and students with behavioral difficulties. The academic program has one main goal – to prepare our students to be successful in future learning whether it is in private, public, or post-high school setting. Teacher/student ratios, individual class schedules, behavior modification programs, multi-disciplinary teams, study skill programs, and hands-on experiences, are implemented to produce exemplary students who are prepared to continue their education.

Teacher/Student Ratios

One of the academic program’s greatest strengths is a high ratio of teachers to students. This ratio allows each student the necessary time, attention, and direction to develop academically. At Youth Care, staff ratio is four students to one staff. This includes two teachers, two teacher’s aides, and a recreational therapist. This is in addition to our therapeutic professionals. At Pine Ridge, staff ratio is six students to one staff. Individual Class Schedules
When a student is enrolled at Pine Ridge or Youth Care, the teacher completes an educational assessment by interviewing the student, the student’s former school, and parents. This assessment identifies the student’s current schedule, past performance, learning strengths and weaknesses, motivation level, and special needs. An individual class schedule is formulated from this assessment. Our curriculum offers over 60 class offerings, and arrangements can be made for special classes outside of the scope of offerings.

Behavior Modification Programs

n many regular schools at least 60 percent of a teacher’s teaching time will be lost to classroom discipline- not at Pine Ridge or Youth Care. Our behavior management program is directly linked to the student’s therapeutic behavior management plan. This means that the student’s behavior and completion of assignments are tied to all activities and privileges. Additionally, our teachers are supported by psychologists, social workers, and primary therapists, who are on site and ready to deal with issues that are beyond the scope of the academic program.

Multi-Disciplinary Team

Pine Ridge and Youth Care professionals believe school success is a therapeutic intervention. While enrolled in our programs, adolescents continue to earn credits, increase knowledge and skills, and work towards the future. For this reason, Youth Care and Pine Ridge students are enrolled in school for a full day curriculum. The students attend classes versus just working on individual packets, and the therapeutic team coordinates efforts with the academic team. Teachers, special educators, social workers, psychologists, primary therapists, teacher aides, and recreational therapists meet at least twice a week to discuss each student’s progress and success and to design appropriate treatment and educational goals that are supported and implemented by all Youth Care and Pine Ridge Staff.

Study Skills Program

Students in our academic program not only learn – they are taught HOW to learn. As part of the regular curriculum students are taught techniques such as memorization skills, outlining, organizational skills, assignment tracking, note taking, and steps for studying for at etc. All of these skills prepare the student to be more successful in the next step of education.

Hands on Learning

Learning takes place in many ways. In most schools, students learn through lecture or through reading textbooks. Our classrooms go further. We help students experience learning. Since we have so few students, we are able to schedule frequent field trips, hands-on programs such as math manipulative, and in-class projects such as plays or guest speakers that relate to current areas of study. These experiences not only help students experience leering but often help students understand how classroom work relates to life.No matter what the needs of the adolescent, the academic program can help the student reach his or her potential. Whether working one on one with a child, providing individual class schedules, implementing behavior modification programs, working with multi-disciplinary teams, teaching study skills or creating hands on learning. The Academic staff is erecting and educational foundation for each student.