Will my child fall behind in school during residential treatment?

Promise Academy is designed to prevent exactly that. Your child receives individualized education at an accredited charter school with credentialed teachers, small class sizes, and a curriculum matched to their current academic level. Teachers and therapists collaborate daily so education and treatment support each other. Many students leave having closed academic gaps rather than widened them.

Is Promise Academy a real school?

Yes. Promise Academy is a state-accredited charter school authorized under Idaho charter school law, with its own governance board, credentialed teachers, and full compliance with Idaho educational standards and state and federal special education law. Credits earned transfer to your child’s home school as official academic credits — not as independent study hours or informal equivalencies.

How do credits transfer back to the home school?

Promise Academy staff coordinate directly with your child’s home school district to ensure credits transfer appropriately. This coordination begins during the stay and intensifies as discharge approaches, so there are no surprises when your child returns. See the credit-transfer process above for the step-by-step details.

What if my child has an IEP or 504 plan?

All IEP and 504 accommodations are honored and implemented in compliance with IDEA and Section 504. If your child does not have an IEP but the team identifies a potential learning need during their stay, the evaluation process can be initiated.

What does a typical school day look like?

Students attend classes in small groups with individualized instruction matched to their learning plan. The school day is structured and predictable, with built-in flexibility to accommodate therapy sessions. If a student has a particularly difficult morning in treatment, the teaching team adjusts expectations. The pace supports engagement without overwhelming students whose capacity may fluctuate.

What happens when my child is ready to go back to their regular school?

Transition planning begins early and includes coordination between Promise Academy, your family, and the receiving school. The team documents progress in transferable formats, communicates about effective accommodations, and supports the student’s emotional preparation for re-entry. The goal is a smooth return where your child arrives academically prepared and emotionally ready.