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Admissions - Frequently Asked Questions

Where do your students come from?

Thirty states and four countries are represented on our campus. A majority of our students have successfully completed a therapeutic wilderness program or other intervention before attending. Families find that these experiences can be invaluable in providing stabilization, assessment, and a much needed momentum. A student may be considered to attend enrolling directly from home. The level of initial support and need for stabilization and testing are considered.

What is the ratio of boys and girls in your student body?

Our student body consists of approximately 70% boys and 30% girls.

What is the length of your program?

Students' length of stay (LOS) is determined by two factors: academic needs and counseling needs. During your initial working visit (between 4-6 weeks after enrollment), you will be provided a projected length of stay plan. The average length of stay is 15-18 months, but we do have some students who stay longer for either academic or therapeutic needs. For therapeutic reasons, it is not recommended that students have a stay shorter than a year. Most of our students come to us with an average of two years of academic credits to make up. This is typically plenty of time to work on clinical issues.

Do you offer campus tours?

We encourage all families interested in Swift River to schedule a campus tour. We ask that a completed application and psychological testing be submitted for review before confirmation. Tours offer families a unique student perspective and detailed overview of the campus and program.

What type of students find success at Academy at Swift River?

Swift River students are bright, engaging, verbal, college bound students who have gotten "off-track." They may be experiencing difficulties with substance abuse, mood disorder, coping skills, mild learning differences and family stressors. They display insight, and can form peer relationships. These are students who benefit from a clinical model that screens for superficial compliance or "faking good." They thrive in an emotionally safe, relationship based, academically supportive environment.

What are exclusionary criteria for Academy at Swift River?

Swift River's clinical model does not support the following:

• History of violence
• Conduct Disorder
• Active eating disorders or self harming behavior
• Run Risk
• Active suicidal ideation
• Full scale IQ below 95

What is your admissions process?

To assist families during the admissions process we request the following:

• Online application — This may be transferred if student is attending an Aspen Education wilderness program.
  
  If you've already started an application and you're returning to finish it, please click here to complete your application.
• Academic transcripts — This allows us to make an accurate academic projection based on Length of Stay.
• Psychological & Educational testing — Testing must be within 2 years. Testing can be transferred from therapeutic wilderness program by ASR at parents' request.

Once these documents are received parents can expect an admissions decision within 48 hours. A team based approach consisting of Admissions, Clinical and Academic Directors reviews all potential students to ensure the best fit.