Contact - Boarding Schools in Wisconsin

1. Youth Initiative High School

Courses / Programs

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 model, we focus on academic excellence, whole person development, student governance, initiative, personal responsibility, and creativity in all aspects of our education.

In addition to our day students, Youth Initiative has successfully boarded students from the United States, Thailand, Mexico, Germany, Italy, France, Colombia, and around the world.

Our school helps place students with caring and engaged host families in our community and offers unique support through our Care Group system.

On the basis of the philosophy of the Waldorf curriculum, YIHS pursues a balance of academic rigor in the humanities, sciences, and foreign languages, compassion and cooperation in social life, and creativity and excellence in the practical and fine arts.

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

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.

2. Turning Winds Academic Institute (TWAI)

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Courses / Programs

Image of Turning Winds Academic Institute (TWAI)

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.

3. St. John's Northwestern Academies, Milwaukee

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Courses / Programs

Image of St. John's Northwestern Academies, Milwaukee

Located in Delafield, a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, St. John's Northwestern Academies (SJNA) is a premier coed boarding and day school for Grades 6 through 12.

St. John’s Northwestern Academies educates and develops young men and women into responsible citizens and moral and ethical leaders who are inspired to meet the world’s challenges.

We achieve this through foundational pillars of strong academics, enriching spiritual and character development, outstanding athletic programs, and effective leadership training in a secure and nurturing environment.

"Once you see our campus and learn about our rich heritage dating back to 1884, I believe you will appreciate how special St. John's Northwestern is." -Paul Edwin Lima, Major General, U.S. Army (Retired), President of SJNA

Coed Independent Boarding and Day School, Grades 6-12

- Middle School (6-8 Grade)
- High School (9-12 Grade)

4. Conserve School

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Courses / Programs

Located just to the west of Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin, Conserve School is a non-sectarian semester school for high school juniors that focuses on environmental education.

Semester school is a term used to describe a boarding school that complements a student’s secondary education by providing them with the opportunity to step out of their regular school for half an academic year and step into a uniquely different educational setting while continuing their required academic studies.

Conserve School's programs are aimed at students who feel a strong attachment to the natural world and who are motivated to conserve it.

Our semester-long immersion in environmental studies and outdoor activities deepens students’ love of nature, reinforces their commitment to conservation, and equips them to take meaningful action as environmental stewards.

A semester at Conserve School is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school juniors to challenge their minds, sharpen their academic skills, stretch their muscles, and get their hands dirty while learning to be stewards of our precious Earth.

Residential Semester School for High School Juniors - courses include:

- Environmental Science (Applied Ecology and Sustainable Systems)

- Advanced Topics in English (Wilderness Voices: American Literature and the Land)

- Advanced Topics in History (History of Wilderness Exploration: the Northwoods and Beyond)

- Physical Education (Pack, Pedal, and Paddle: Outdoor Skills and Activities)

- Electives and Online Courses...

5. North Cedar Academy

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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)