Therapeutic Boarding School in Northwest / Pacific region

Turning Winds Academic Institute (TWAI):
Established in 2002, Turning Winds Academic Institute (TWAI) is an industry-leading therapeutic boarding school in Montana for troubled teen boys and girls ages 13-18. We combine the benefits of an accredited therapeutic boarding school, a wilderness program, and a residential treatment center (RTC) on our beautiful and safe 150 acre campus. The average stay at our residential treatment center is 12 months.

We provide an extremely high standard of therapeutic treatment to students from throughout the U.S. and students from around the world (TWAI is authorized to issue 1-20's for international students). 

We offer help to teenagers who present with the following issues: poor academic performance, behavioral problems, addictions, low self-worth, spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD, and attachment disorders among others.

We also offer intensive parent support through regular family counseling sessions, parent workshops, webinars, and an effective aftercare program.


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

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

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

Our licensed professional clinical staff works with each student and their family to identify areas of concern, develop individualized goals and objectives designed to guide the change and personal growth.

• TWAI has helped more than 1,000 struggling teens and their families, with an exceptional degree of success. We embrace a clinically driven, multi-disciplinary and individualized therapeutic approach. Aftercare services are also provided.

• Passionate about helping young people in crisis, our clinical, educational, and operations staff are among the best in the United States. Typically our on site student to staff ratio is 5:1.

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

• With an outstanding outdoor recreation program, TWAI utilizes the outdoors to combine adventure therapy, experiential education and psycho-educational therapy.

• 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.

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

We also offer a GED (General Educational Development) program, and college 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.

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.

“We cannot thank you enough for your sincere and warm hospitality...It is that same spirit of warmth and kindness that makes Turning Winds the incredible program that it is. Your sense of love and family comes through to the kids and staff alike. I am daily grateful that we found your facility. I know Kaitlyn and David are well taken care of and will come away as stronger and more mature teens."
- Gayle

"It took all we had to not come and get him after the first couple of weeks. Getting the letters and talking to the staff has changed our minds and made us realize what spectacular people you are. I look up to people that make their career helping out troubled kids. There are not many people around that have the capability or the patience to do what you do. Thanks again!”
- Mark and Sue

“Making the decision to send Mitchell to Turning Winds Academic Institute has been the hardest thing I have ever done. It has been stressful, frustrating, and every other emotion you can think of. But in my heart I loved my son so much I knew that I needed to do something more then I was capable of doing on my own…The healing that has taking place in his heart is so amazing to see. Seeing where he is right now and the steps that he has taken and the things that he has accomplished have made this sacrifice worthwhile.”
- Crissy

“I’ve learned a tremendous amount. I have started college classes so I can have a future. My writing, science, and math skills have increased. I am just overall more focused.”
- Joe

“I have learned that I can achieve great things. With hard work and dedication, anything is possible for my future. School is the most important decision in my life right now and I need to get as much out of the experience to ensure a bright future for myself.

School used to be a by-product of the social scene, but now I have learned it is the opposite. I have all the tools necessary to pursue my dreams, but I have to put in the work to do so. Before, I was focused on the wrong stuff, but now I am channeled in the right direction.”
- Makayla

“Since I have been at Turning Winds Academic Institute I have discovered my capabilities in school. I have become more patient with my schoolwork and definitely more open to help. I have realized I am capable of learning things by myself and teaching myself new things. Before I came to Turning Winds Academic Institute I was a high school dropout who thought nothing of my education and didn’t really care. I am proud of education and I look forward to more.”
– Regan