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Waldorf Boarding High School in Wisconsin

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Youth Initiative High School:
Located in Viroqua, southwest Wisconsin (45 minutes south of the city of La Crosse), Youth Initiative High School is a wonderfully unique day and boarding high school for US and international students in Grades 9-12. With our comprehensive high school curriculum, which uses the Waldorf method, we focus on academic excellence, whole person development, student governance, initiative, personal responsibility, and creativity in all aspects of our education. In addition to to our day students, Youth Initiative has successfully boarded students from the United States, Thailand, Mexico, Germany, Italy, France, Colombia, and around the world.

Email: Contact us here 

( or request a callback ).

Unique Day & Boarding High School:


- Waldorf Curriculum
YIHS uses the Waldorf curriculum, which is based on the ideas of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861 – 1925). On the basis of the philosophy of the Waldorf curriculum, YIHS pursues a balance of academic rigor in the humanities, sciences, foreign languages, compassion and cooperation in social life, and creativity and excellence in the practical and fine arts.

- Vibrant, Empowering Programs
Our vision is to become a vibrant, empowering high school. We find the Waldorf view of the developing adolescent useful; this model sees ages 14-18 as a time when young people ideally move from outwardly imposed authority towards individual freedom and personal responsibility.

- Founded on Mutual Respect
Faculty, students, and families are partners in learning; exhibiting mutual respect, shared joy in learning, cooperation and caring.

- Focus in Individual Student Talents
We facilitate individual student talents and personal growth, their imagination and passion, and their love of the arts. Our rich and challenging course of study integrates academics, the arts, physical, and practical life skills.

Day & Boarding High School Programs for Students in Grades 9-12:

From Plato to the Ethics of Genetic Engineering, from World History to Carpentry, and from Organic Foods and Nutrition to Photography and Block Printing, our curriculum is vastly comprehensive and challenges and excites students in many ways, not only to learn, but to do something meaningful in the world.

Core subjects include:
- Humanities, English, Science, Earth Science, Math, Language, Foreign Exchanges, Music, Art

Electives & Special programs include:
- Drama and Acting, Wilderness Expeditions, Experiential Learning, Organic Foods and Nutrition, Agricultural Studies, Sports, Student Governance, Independent Studies, Apprenticeships.

Student Life:


Boarding Program:
Our Boarding students are deeply woven into the fabric of this unique and colorful community through their experiences living with a Host Family and through the many avenues our school provides.  Our Care Group System offers students unique, personalized care and support in dealing with challenges or in trying to figure out the next step, whether it's Independent Studies or College Applcations. 

Day Students:
We also have many day students who live in this community.  Our day students are the foundation of our school and provide a warm, welcoming, and very caring social environment for all students.

Email: Contact Us

Request a Callback

Address: 500 E. Jefferson St. Viroqua, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54665, USA
Some interested visitors submitting program inquiries to our school up to 2020-06-29 were from:

Ithaca; and more.
Related Schools & Programs. Inquire to our admissions team today:
North Cedar Academy
Courses / Programs
With a beautiful and safe location in the Wisconsin Northwoods, North Cedar Academy (NCA) is a dual-enrolment private boarding high school for U.S. and international students in Grades 9-12.

Students graduate with a high school diploma and an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from the University of Wisconsin Colleges (UWC). All of our courses are taught at Advanced Placement (AP) or college level.

Our collegiate high school is situated on ninety-six acres along the Flambeau River in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. We aim to provide motivated and committed students with a unique and innovative educational experience.
Boarding High School for Grades 9-12

We offer a full dual-credit program with students graduating with:

- A high school diploma

- An Associate in Arts (AA) degree from the University of Wisconsin Colleges (UWC)
Turning Winds Academic Institute (TWAI)
Courses / Programs
Located in northwestern Montana, Turning Winds Academic Institute (TWAI) is an accredited, family-run, therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens (boys and girls) ages 13-18 from Wisconsin and across the United States.

In our beautiful, peaceful, and safe location, we combine the benefits of a therapeutic boarding school, a wilderness program, and a residential treatment center (RTC).

TWAI has been serving struggling teens and their families since 2002, with an exceptional degree of success.

We provide an extremely high standard of therapeutic treatment to our students, 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.

With a passion for helping young people in crisis, our clinical, educational, and operations staff are among the best in the country.

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

Typically our on site student to staff ratio is 5:1. The average stay at our residential treatment center is 12 months.

Parent Testimonial:
"We feel reassured that our son Chad is in good hands being guided onto the right track...We are really beginning to get our son back again! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Therapeutic Boarding School
For troubled teens ages 13-18

- Middle School Program
- High School Program
- Credit Recovery
- Accelerated Learning
- College Preparation/ AP Classes
- SAT/ACT Testing Center
- Anti-Bullying Program

We also provide a GED program, and college courses.

We create a customized program for each student that requires a minimum of 3 months. However, best results for lasting success are realized through 6+ months of treatment.

TWAI graduates average a 3.5 GPA. It is common for a student to complete 1.5 years of course work in 1 year.
Saint John's Preparatory School
Courses / Programs
Saint John's Preparatory School is a Benedictine, co-educational, boarding and day college preparatory school for students in Grades 6-12, with boarding options beginning in the 9th Grade.

Saint John's Prep is conveniently located 10 minutes west of St. Cloud within the 2,700 acres of woods and lakes of Saint John's University's campus in Collegeville, Stearns County, central Minnesota.

We offer a US curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, advanced placement courses, PSAT, SAT, ACT prep courses, a study abroad program in Austria, and English for international students.

Saint John's Prep is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association (ISACS). Students will find a safe and secure environment at Saint John's with full-time adult staff supervising and mentoring the students.

Girls and boys live in separate residence halls. The boys live in St. Michael Hall, located next to the academic building. Girls live in Richarda Hall at the nearby private women's college, the College of Saint Benedict. Busing is provided between the two campuses throughout the day and evening.
Co-ed Day & Boarding Programs 6-12th Grade Students:

- Day Programs for Grades 6-12
- Boarding Programs for boys and girls in Grades 9-12

- Challenging Curriculum with Middle and High School Programs
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
- Advanced Placement Courses
- College Preparation Courses for PSAT, ACT and SAT
- Study Abroad Program in Austria
- ESL Program
- International Students welcome
The Leelanau School
Courses / Programs
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan and on the banks of the Crystal River in Northwest Michigan, Leelanau is a strength-based small boarding school offering Grades 9-12 to intelligent boys and girls who learn differently, especially those with ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia, and similar learning difficulties.

Whether it is in the classroom, in the dorm, in the equestrian ring, on the slopes, or volunteering in the community, everything about Leelanau is a life-enriching experience.

We build on each student’s learning strengths, creatively using hands-on projects and our dramatic natural setting to help students gain a fresh new sense of independence, engagement, and capability.

The Leelanau School’s Residential Life Program works within our mission to “inspire, encourage and support the discovery of individual potential” through teachings from our residential staff and guest speakers as well as unique Life Skills offerings from our entire faculty and staff.

We are accredited by the Independent Schools Association Central States (ISACS).
Co-Educational Boarding and Day Programs for Students in Grades 9-12:

- College Preparatory Curriculum
- Advanced Placement Courses
- College Prep PSAT and SAT
- Core Subjects include humanities, math, science, fine arts, foreign languages, athletics
- ESL and TOEFL Programs for international students
- Learning Resource Center
- Exploratory Week Program with five-day educational adventures
- Life Skills Program
- Mentor Program
- Summer Programs
Salem4youth Therapeutic Christian Boarding School
Courses / Programs
Based in Flanagan, Illinois, Salem4youth is a Christian Therapeutic Boarding School for troubled boys and young men in Grades 3-12.

We offer an educational program that is specifically structured to support the supervision and training of students that have special challenges.

These challenges can include emotional and behavioral problems, learning difficulties, lack of motivation and other difficulties that may be the result of self-harming or other detrimental behaviors, including drug and alcohol use. As a Christian Boarding School, our therapy is Biblical-based.

We combine our educational program with equine therapy. Using horses therapeutically and vocationally, boys receive riding instructions and are given the responsibility to care for the horses. The relationships developed with our horses help each young man develop self-esteem, control, and responsibility.
Christian Therapeutic Boarding School:

Program for young males with challenges such as:
- Emotional problems; Behavioral problems; Learning difficulties; Lack of motivation; Self-harming; Detrimental behaviors; Drug and alcohol abuse

Educational Program:
- Innovative, computer-based learning for grades 3-12
- Instructional, relational and vocational training
- Creative curriculum
- Equine therapy
- Develop self-esteem, control, and responsibility.
Lake Forest Academy
Courses / Programs
Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, on the north shore of Lake Michigan and 30 miles north of Chicago, Lake Forest Academy is a co-educational, college preparatory boarding and day school for domestic & international students in grades 9 through 12.

We teach a full and inclusive middle & high school curriculum in arts and sciences, with AP and college prep courses.

The academy fosters intellectual development and academic excellence in its students. At LFA, students learn valuable lessons not only in the classroom and on the athletic fields but also in the dormitories, student center and dining hall.

Our boarding students come from all over the U.S. and the world. As a boarding student you will live in one of the four single-gender dormitories on campus. Our dorms range in size from 10 to 72 students. Each dorm is staffed by a team of resident faculty members, many of whom live in apartments attached to the dormitories.
Co-educational Boarding and Day Programs for Grades 9-12:

- College Preparatory Curriculum
- Advanced Placement Courses
- College Prep Courses SAT and ACT
- Middle School
- High School
- Enrichment Program
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

Core & Elective Academic Courses:
- English, history, math, science, modern and classical languages, fine art, music and drama, visual art and athletics