Equinox RTC, a residential treatment center for teen boys ages 14-18, offers a variety of academic pathways for students to continue their academic success or get back on track with their education. Providing an opportunity for students to succeed academically sets the stage for increased confidence across other aspects of their treatment. Because of the partnership and collaboration of academics and therapeutics at Equinox, the program is able to provide a place for students to work on increased motivation and perseverance. Additionally, students practice communication and executive functioning skills such as focus and attention to detail, self-discipline, time management, self-regulation, working memory, task initiation, planning/ prioritization, organization, goal setting/reaching, flexibility, and stress tolerance. These are the skills that will be necessary to successfully transition to a more traditional environment and the Academy allows students to practice these skills in real-time.

Courses are taught by licensed teachers with an average class ratio of 1:6, and a maximum ratio of 1:10. Equinox provides a hybrid model of traditional approaches to teaching and learning and non-traditional (i.e.alternative) approaches, such as inquiry-based, experiential, and project-based learning. This diverse approach, with a relationship-driven classroom management model, offers students of all abilities and learning styles an environment that feels safe, supportive, and successful.

For students who need additional academic support, Equinox offers tutoring during individual classes as well as one-on-one sessions outside of the classroom. Equinox’s well-trained teachers can provide standard accommodations, including but not limited to preferential seating, extended time, guided or provided notes, small group instruction, scribing and/or reading aloud through staff support or software, audiobooks, and other language-based assistive technology. Secondarily, many of the therapeutic supports and modalities Equinox utilizes benefit school performance: neurofeedback, brainspotting, etc.

Equinox works with each student to create the right academic goals and objectives and provide the support they need to achieve them. At Equinox, academics serve as “experiential therapeutics,” allowing students and staff to assess in real-time the progress they are making with therapeutic skills like emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, asking for help, teamwork, feedback acceptance, and responsibility for class attendance even when not feeling 100%. 

About Equinox RTC

Equinox RTC is a leading residential treatment center for boys ages 14-18. Equinox is unique in its focus on Trauma, Loss, and Attachment, providing clinically intensive treatment for boys struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, ASD, learning disabilities, and other emotional and behavioral needs. Equinox offers a combination of clinically sophisticated support with a whole-person approach including adventure therapy, health and fitness program, and a whole foods diet. Equinox provides a fully accredited school, with broad course selections taught by licensed teachers in a college-preparatory environment.