Understanding the Unique Path to Growth for Kids Who Need Something Different
That’s where therapeutic boarding schools come in.
A therapeutic boarding school (TBS) is a residential school that combines education with therapeutic support, providing a structured environment for kids who need more than what a traditional classroom … or even outpatient therapy… can offer. It’s a place where academic learning and emotional healing happen side-by-side.
Many students who attend a TBS may be dealing with challenges like anxiety, depression, ADHD, school refusal or difficulty forming relationships. Some are bright, but have lost their confidence. Others are overwhelmed by life’s transitions or changes at home. What they all have in common is that they need a safe, structured space to reset and rebuild.
These schools are staffed with trained educators, therapists and support staff who work together to create a consistent, nurturing environment. Days are thoughtfully designed with a mix of academic classes, therapy sessions, life skills coaching and plenty of opportunities for healthy peer interaction, personal growth and recreation activities. One of the biggest benefits is that everything is integrated so students aren’t bouncing between different professionals and systems. It’s all connected, and it all supports the same goal: helping each child move forward.
Therapeutic boarding schools often feel more like real life than some residential treatment centers or wilderness programs. Students live in a community, go to class, eat meals together and take part in group activities. There’s time for therapy and self-reflection, yes … but also time for sports, art, nature and play. And those “non-academic” moments are often where the real growth happens.
“Cherokee Creek Boys School has been an absolute blessing for our son and our entire family. The kids have SO MUCH FUN and everyone is incredibly loving and supportive. I wish all kids could experience this much heart and care in their local schools. Wonderful for teaching a broad range of life skills and giving boys a sense of purpose and determination.”
– CCBS Parent
What a Therapeutic Boarding School Can Offer
According to All Kinds Of Therapy …
“Therapeutic boarding schools for troubled youth can benefit teenagers who need help getting their lives back on track. In addition to providing academic and counseling services, these behavior boarding schools also teach important life skills like time management and conflict resolution.”
Some important things to consider when deciding if a school is right for your child are:
- Is the school accredited through the Joint Commission?
- How does the program differentiate itself?
- When should you consider a therapeutic school?
According to the Boarding School Review …
“Parents should consider a therapeutic school for their child if he is challenged by emotional, behavioral or academic issues, or any other challenge that the local public school or private schools cannot handle effectively. In other words, he cannot receive the consistent treatment and individual attention he needs in a local school and the home setting.”
The Cherokee Creek Approach
At Cherokee Creek Boys School, we’ve been offering this kind of care and structure for over 20 years. We’re a small therapeutic boarding school in South Carolina that serves boys ages 10 – 15, which is such a key window in a young person’s development.
Our campus is tucked into the woods and feels a bit like a cross between a supportive school and a summer camp … which is exactly how we like it. LINK
Our program blends academics, therapy, character education and social-emotional learning in a way that feels natural and balanced. LINK
We take a strengths-based approach, meaning we look for each boy’s gifts, talents, and interests … and use those as a foundation for growth.
CCBS is proud to be Fully-Accredited and Nationally-Recognized including:
Licensed by the State of South Carolina | Child Caring Institution
The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval
Cognia
We’re not trying to “fix” kids; we’re helping them discover who they really are underneath the challenges. We often say we’ve created “a place where boys can be boys.”
There’s structure, yes … and also room to explore, to make mistakes, to laugh and to just be a kid again. Our staff is deeply experienced, but what really matters is how deeply they care. They know these boys inside and out … and they walk alongside them every step of the way.
So if you’re just starting to explore what a therapeutic boarding school is, or wondering whether it might be the right fit for your family, know that you’re not alone.
It’s a big step … but sometimes, the right environment can make all the difference.