ABOUT NORTHWEST ACADEMY
Northwest Academy is a boarding school-style establishment for troubled teenage boys and girls aged 16 to 18, located on an 85-acre campus in a rural, wooded area outside the small town of Naples, northern Idaho. Clients are at risk of not completing high school, and substance abuse often plays a role in their troubles.
It is strongly recommended by Northwest Academy that new clients attend a wilderness program before enrolling at this facility as it has been found to be more successful when clients already have a strong emotional foundation and academic goals in place.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The program at Northwest Academy involves a one-year stay, combining therapy and substance abuse counseling with academics and personal fitness training. The goal is to help each resident complete high school, continue to training or college, and go on to responsible, independent lives.
The substance abuse program at the center focuses on helping clients identify triggers, learn about prevention, and develop an individual recovery plan. The program incorporates the use of the 12-Steps, including on- and off-site meetings and a 12-step recovery yoga program, as well as the Stages of Change model. Psychiatric services, including psychopharmacology, are also provided.
In terms of academics, Northwest Academy offers a “transcript repair program” that enables residents to gain academic credits and raise their GPA. The center also provides special education services, post-secondary planning, and an opportunity for residents to take classes at a local college. Additionally, the facility offers volunteering opportunities and programs designed to help residents find their passion. Residents also participate in a physical fitness class each weekday.
Families are provided with a “Parent Portal” that offers news and photos to keep parents updated, as well as the opportunity to participate in weekend-long adventures.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The facility employs a psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner on a contract basis. The treatment team also includes licensed professional counselors, a social worker, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a certified addiction counselor. All staff members are certified in First Aid and CPR, and all teachers are state-certified.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The campus in northern Idaho provides separate dorms for males and females, classrooms, a computer lab, and a communal area with a fireplace. The facility also offers basketball and volleyball courts, as well as an ultimate Frisbee golf course. Additionally, extracurricular activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, river rafting, fly-fishing, and mountain biking are available. Vegetarian food is provided at each meal.
Families are welcome to visit after an initial period of six to eight weeks. As clients progress through the program, they become eligible for off-campus visits, including overnight visits.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
All three reviews submitted to Best-rehabs.com to date were very negative. The reviews criticized the treatment plans and methods, noting that they were useless and did not prepare students for the real world. These reviewers believed that the center manipulated worried parents and prioritize money over offering help. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the education provided at the facility.
No alumni reviews were found on secondary sites at the time of writing.
WHAT STAFF SAY
The reviews from staff on secondary sites were mixed. On Indeed, the facility had an average rating of 3.6 stars based on 10 reviews, while Glassdoor had a single one-star review. Some reviewers spoke positively about the center’s mission and displayed dedication to clients. However, others described the center as a “warehouse” and a “scam” designed to deceive parents.
CONCLUSION
A stay at Northwest Academy costs $8,400 per month, with additional fees for enrollment and technology. The facility provides monthly statements that can be submitted to insurers for possible reimbursement. Financing and loans are also available for the educational and behavioral health components of treatment.
Northwest Academy is owned by Universal Health Services (UHS), which has previously faced allegations of fraud and mistreatment of clients.