Based in Delta, Utah, White River Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for boys ages 12 through 17. The facility provides substance abuse and behavioral health treatment, along with a unique, sound and accredited educational experience. Emphasis is placed on responsibility and healthy lifestyle choices, and gives troubled boys the opportunity to become self-aware, find direction, learn how to resolve emotional pain and be of service to others. Through personal growth and hands-on experience — including adventure-based outdoor activities — students are challenged to move away from harmful behaviors and become men of integrity and character.
ABOUT SOVEREIGN HEALTH – WHITE RIVER ACADEMY
Located in the mountainous Great Basin region of Utah, Sovereign Health’s White River Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for boys ages 12 to 17. The facility offers long-term treatment (at least one year) for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. Medically monitored detox services are not available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
White River Academy offers rolling enrollment, which enables boys to enter any time of the year, though they need to be referred by their parent or guardian. When new clients arrive, they undergo an orientation that covers rules and expectations, as well as meet their two assigned student mentors.
The program combines 12-step principles and positive peer culture with evidence-based practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Clients have a tightly structured weekly schedule , which includes individual and group therapy, customized academic curriculum, 12-step meetings, community service, recreational activities, equine training, recreational therapy, art therapy, and daily chores.
Family participation is highly encouraged and includes therapy, education, and a weekend-long quarterly family program.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
White River Academy is accredited as an educational institution and approved to teach grades nine through 12 in Utah. The treatment team includes master’s level therapists, a clinical psychologist, and classroom instructors.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Set in a former hospital, White River Academy houses 36 clients in simple, shared bedrooms. Students must wear school uniforms. The campus includes a school, rock climbing area, and horseback riding stables.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
At time of writing, two parents provided Best-rehabs.com with polarized feedback, with one being highly positive and the other extremely negative. The most recent reviewer praised the staff and program: “I am writing this today as my son will be 4 years sober this weekend and has grown into a wonderful happy adult that has his whole future ahead of him due to the fact that White River saved his life and ours.” This loved one added: “i can never say enough about the doctor and the therapy our son received” and “If i had to do this all over again I would look no further than White River.”
The other parent, who rated treatment effectiveness, accommodations and amenities, and meals and nutrition only one out of five stars, felt differently: “White River Academy does not deserve to be called a school at all.” This reviewer claimed the facility’s informational materials do not give the correct impression: “Don’t bring or have your child transfered to White RIVER Academy in Delta Utah. Do your research, visit the facility. Their is no horses, barns, no river, just an old small building they try to call a scool.”
On YellowPages.com, White River Academy earned an average of three out of five stars from six reviews to date.[1] Three are positive; the other three are negative. Two of the favorable reviews are from the same loved one, which brings the total down to five unique reviews. The reviewers are polarized on the quality of the education program and staff. Chris, a five-star reviewer, wrote: “White River is a great place to send your son… they are an accredited school, and students get a structured life along with a great education” and added: “They are a great school and will treat you and your son with the utmost respect and care.”
An anonymous reviewer agreed the teachers were great: “My son had an excellent time at the academy. Before he went, he wouldn’t even study or go to class… Not only did he get to complete a lot of classes, he wants to go to college now” and concluded: “Great school with a lot of people who really care about the students and their lives.”
The others on YellowPages.com disagreed. One anonymous, one-star reviewer wrote: “I’ll say they had some caring people, but I don’t know who is running the school that their academics were so poor.” Reviewer Nathan wrote that the facility, “does a sub standard job attempting to rehabilitate children. The facilities are bare, cramped, and staff is degrading.”
FINANCING
According to the website, Sovereign Health accepts most private insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Financial assistance is available to clients who qualify.
[1] https://www.yellowpages.com/delta-ut/mip/white-river-academy-11214032