Since 2012, Positive Youth Development (PYD) has been the guiding philosophy for Shortridge Academy in its work with students. Developed with guidance from the University of New Hampshire, PYD is a true strengths-based approach that offers alternatives to focusing on problems and deficits, engages students and empowers them to build life and leadership skills, provides a rationale and common understanding used in decision making; all the while, PYD is consistent with research on adolescent brain development and authoritative parenting. 

In recent months, Shortridge Academy students have embraced PYD in a number of impressive ways that have been celebrated in the community. Three students applied and were hired as Work Study Students, gaining valuable work experience, developing life skills, and earning wages as true Shortridge Academy employees. With support from Shortridge administration and staff, the student-run DEI Committee planned an eventful Pride Month, including campus decorations, facilitating thoughtful and intentional conversations about gender and sexuality, and attending the Pride Parade in Portsmouth, NH. 

Numerous students have also shown initiative by submitting proposals (Reps) for their Community Contribution projects, including rationale and detailed budgets. Approved and successful projects include designing and creating a sensory room, supplying each classroom with fidget toys, skill cards, and words of encouragement to help students who are struggling in the classroom, building and installing a greenhouse with adjacent vegetable and pollinator gardens, designing and customizing a piece of clothing for every Shortridge student, redesigning and adding equipment to our campus gym, and remodeling student bathrooms. 

“What I have loved about partnering with our students the past few months is their independence, assertive advocacy, and creativity. I have been really impressed with their hard work and organization, and also how much fun they have been having with it!” – Jessa Hobson, Clinical Program Director

Now in its 20th year, Shortridge is considered the most normalized and progressive therapeutic boarding school in the country, whose strengths-based and authoritative approach successfully supports those students struggling with anxiety, depression, family dysfunction and learning challenges.

If you would like more information about Shortridge Academy, please contact Admissions Director, Katie Rainer or Admissions Coordinator, Olivia Therrien at admissions@shortridgeacademy.com, call (866) 828-9243, or visit their website ShortridgeAcademy.com.

Shortridge Academy is a private co-ed Therapeutic Boarding School, founded in 2002, emphasizing challenging yet supportive college prep academics within a therapeutic community. Located in southeastern New Hampshire with close proximity to both the seacoast and the mountains, Shortridge’s setting and Positive Youth Development model provides students with an ideal environment to further develop their sense of self and strengthen family relationships in an intellectually stimulating learning environment reflective of a traditional boarding school.