INSPIRING YOUNG MEN
TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES,
THEIR DREAMS & VISIONS

Welcome to Novitas Academy

Therapeutic Boarding School for Young Men

Learn Differently, Embrace Your Potential & Impact the World

Located on 30 acres outside of Boise Idaho, Novitas Academy is a private, clinically oriented therapeutic boarding school for young men ages 14 to 18. If you are looking for a school for young men ages 10 to 14, our neighboring therapeutic school Cherry Gulch can help, click here. Our picturesque setting lends itself to our staff and students as we work together to provide early intervention and prevention for our students. Novitas Academy is dedicated to improving the lives of the young men we work with and their families. We believe in the power of inspiration, finding ones strengths, positive relationships, mentoring and goal setting. We are a strengths-based program who believes in building a relationship with our students and supporting their goals and dreams. Our purpose is to help our boys reach their goals. Families find what they have been desperately searching for from the staff, therapists and environment at Novitas Academy.

Download Our Mission & Philosophy Packet

Novitas Academy students navigate various disorders and challenges at our therapeutic boarding school.

“We enroll families. This separates us from our competitors and illuminates our desire to not only work with the boy but also the family.”
~ Bernie Zimmerman, COO of Novitas Academy & Cherry Gulch

Wondering if Novitas Academy is a good fit?

Qualification Criteria

Our Mission

At Novitas Academy, our mission is to rekindle our student’s curiosity about the world around them in a community environment that fosters a sense of teamwork, empathy, and awareness. Many of our students enter Novitas with social challenges and learning differences that have led to a negative self-image, school avoidance and refusal. We believe all our students can learn the skills to be successful in the classroom and beyond. Our approach to academics is highly Individualized and combines a unique (engaging) presentation of curriculum and a collaborative approach.

Novitas Academy staff help troubled teens at our therapeutic boarding school.

Novitas Academy students can take advantage of internship opportunities in Idaho.

Our boarding school helps troubled teens acquire important life skills.

Although Novitas Academy is a therapeutic boarding school based in Idaho, our students are able to travel the world and gain cultural experiences.

There are numerous outdoor activity opportunities for Novitas Academy students to take advantage of in Idaho.

Novitas Academy is a boarding school for boys that provides a variety of sports and clubs.

Students at our therapeutic boarding school identify their strengths and uncover their natural talents within careers. This helps them make informed decisions about their future. Our internship program allows us to partner with the local community where boys learn skills and work in different fields. After completing the necessary tasks for the day, including morning chores, hygiene, school, and therapy, the students are then able to participate in sports and activities such as: mountain biking, rafting, hiking, ziplining, martial arts and more. We also go on trips to places like London, Peru and Italy.

Our approach is refreshingly different, instead of forcing the students to do what we want them to do; we join with each student to help them reach their goals and realize their potential through building their self-esteem and self-confidence.

Interventions for each young man include:

Highly Compassionate 1:4 Staff-to-Student Ratio

Family Involvement and a Strong Parenting Program

College and Career Assessment System

Wide Variety of Activities and Learning Experiences

Life Skills Such as Drivers Ed, Cooking and Cleaning

Fully Accredited Educational Program, All Credits Earned are Fully Transferable

Medication Monitoring by a Licensed Psychiatrist

Career and Character Development Classes

Individual, Group, and Family Psychotherapy with Experienced Doctorate & Master’s Level Therapists

Internships to Learn Skills and Work in Different Career Fields

Safe, Therapeutic, and Nurturing Learning Environment

Involvement in Clubs, Scouting, Leadership and Ranch Activities

What they’re saying

“Novitas helped me to graduate from High School; I liked the curriculum, teachers and lack of homework pressure. I learned how to share living space with others and take responsibility for myself. I liked the staff a lot; they were really nice people.”
Kirk

“Novitas gave our son a safe place with lots of caring and skilled support to help him find his way. He learned to make better choices, took responsibility for his affairs, navigated living with kids he didn’t know, and practiced expressing his emotions more effectively…He grew up! The school curriculum and teachers were perfect for him; he experienced academic success for the first time. We applaud Novitas staff for their incredible patience and kindness.”
Donna