Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student to teacher ratio?

Can my child graduate from Santiam Crossing and receive a high school diploma?

What is the levels system?

How long does it take to progress through the levels?

Do you offer medication management?

Do you offer psychological testing and evaluation?

How often will we participate in family therapy?

What type of supervision is provided during the night?

Do you offer any sports at Santiam Crossing?

What does a typical day look like?

Do the students participate in meal preparation?

How often will my child shower?

Can my child communicate with friends while in the program?

How often will I hear from Santiam Crossing staff regarding my child's progress?


What is the student to teacher ratio?
Our small classes allow for a great deal of individualized time and attention for each student. Class size is generally limited to twelve students.

Can my child graduate from Santiam Crossing and receive a high school diploma?
Yes. We are accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools and can grant diplomas.

What is the levels system?
The level system provides structure for each student's journey through the program. A student's progression through the levels mirrors their growth and maturation within the school. Each level has a focus, contains expectations and responsibilities, and privileges.

How long does it take to progress through the levels?
Progression through the level system varies from student to student. Most students achieve Level II after about six weeks, but the progression through the rest of the levels varies greatly depending upon individual motivation and commitment.

Do you offer medication management?
Santiam Crossing works with a local psychiatrist who handles medication management. If your student is currently on medication, please bring an adequate supply. If your child is not currently on medication and you are interested in exploring the possibility, we can arrange for a consultation with the psychiatrist. Medication management is not covered in the tuition. Financial arrangements will be made directly between you and the doctor's billing department.

Do you offer psychological testing and evaluation?
We can arrange for students to receive psychological and educational testing for an additional fee. If you are interested in exploring this option, your student's therapist will be happy to discuss it with you.

How often will we participate in family therapy?
Family therapy occurs via phone every other week. Your child's therapist will coordinate with you to schedule a regular time for these calls.

What type of supervision is provided during the night?
Each cabin is assigned counselors that sleep in the cabins with the students at night. During the adventure weekends, counselors also overnight with students.

Do you offer any sports at Santiam Crossing?
Our students are encouraged to maintain excellent physical health. In addition to staying very active through a variety of campus projects, our students engage in high adventure activities on many weekends. Although we do not offer team sports at this time, our students are very active and participate in regular physical activity.

What does a typical day look like?
The schedule is designed to keep students busy and engaged in healthy activities. Students are on campus Monday through Thursday. While on campus, students begin the day with breakfast in their campsite, followed by group therapy, individual therapy, activities or academics, depending upon the day. There are two to three school blocks each day, with a break for lunch and other activities between the blocks. Each day there is at least one activity block, during which time students participate in campus building projects and recreational activities. Students prepare dinner in their campsites each evening, followed by group therapy in the late evenings. The day ends with an opportunity for personal time. During their personal time students can write letters, read, work on their journals, or finish outstanding projects and assignments, followed by bedtime between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Students leave the campus three weekends out of the month for a wilderness based recreation and service-learning trip. They depart on Thursday afternoon and return on Sunday evening. The weekend schedule varies depending upon the activity. Students spend their weekends actively engaged in variety of activities, including service learning projects and recreational activities such as rafting, climbing, and primitive skills instruction. One weekend of each month the students stay on campus to participate in parent weekend activities.

Do the students participate in meal preparation?
Yes. Our students learn a great deal about healthy food choices and meal preparation. There is an outdoor kitchen in each cabin area, and the students work with cabin staff to prepare meals.

How often will my child shower?
Students shower every other day while on campus. Showering on the weekends depends upon the activity the students are participating in.

Can my child communicate with friends while in the program?
Your child may have the opportunity to begin communicating with one or two approved friends once he or she reaches Level II. If your student appropriately communicates via letter writing with an approved friend and the friend reciprocates, he or she may earn the privilege of speaking to the friend on the phone twice each month on Level III.

How often will I hear from Santiam Crossing staff regarding my child's progress?
Your child's therapist will contact you at regular intervals to discuss your child's progress. In addition, you will hear from the therapist bi-weekly during the family therapy calls. If a special issue arises, your therapist or program director will contact you. If questions come up during your child's stay at Santiam Crossing, please do not hesitate to contact your child's therapist or the Program Director either by email or phone.