The EDUFAX Educational FAQ

Question #16:

My brother is 16 years old and is a student at an excellent private school. He has always excelled in arts and sciences. Recently he has fallen in with a "bad crowd" and is experimenting with drugs and alcohol. His psychologist has recommended a boarding school geared toward his special needs. Can you recommend such a school? He will need the ongoing services of a psychologist.

Answer #16:

There are many fine boarding schools with strengths in arts and sciences. However, schools with trained psychologists on staff are known as residential therapeutic schools and their primary concern is to address the impaired behaviors first and then the academics. Some of them have excellent academic programs, but they emphasize attitude over academics. In order to find a school that meets your brother's needs both behaviorally and academically, your family should work with a trained educational consultant who will review his academic record and will consult with the psychologist who has an understanding of his recent behaviors. It would be very difficult for you or your parents to go through this process without professional assistance. The important thing is to remember that your brother will not benefit from any academic program, no matter how excellent, if he is off behind the tennis courts getting high with his friends. Whatever school he attends must first help him understand and remediate his self-defeating behaviors before he can address the important issues of getting a good education. EDUFAX provides Services for the Independent School Applicant.

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