http://www.nwacademy.net/about/index.shtmlAbout Northwest AcademyNorthwest Academy is a residential, co-educational high school offering a range of classes that enable your 17-year-old to earn two-years of traditional core academic credits in one calendar year. Through a customized plan of counseling and hands-on learning experiences, your child can catch up academically and address the issues that have caused them to fall behind. Your 17-year-old will develop the motivation, confidence, and skills to set college and career goals, and to assume the responsibilities of a young adult, capable of living independently.
Customized curriculumA multidisciplinary faculty team made up of a teacher, counselor, clinician, and family services coordinator regularly assesses your child and a personalized plan is designed to meet your son or daughter's individual needs.
Clinical supportStudents receive individual and group therapeutic support by one of our master's-level clinical therapists. In addition, your child will participate in emotional and personal-growth experiences designed to enhance their range of emotional comprehension and expression. Chemical dependency educational services are also available.
Safe and supportive environmentNWA provides a structured, nurturing, and safe learning environment where drugs, sex, and violence are not allowed.
Personalized attentionOur staff-to-student ratio is 1 to 8, allowing us to pay close attention to the unique needs and progress of your child.
SuccessMore than 100 students have graduated from our 12-month program since August 2002. Of these, 75 percent were 18 years old, making their own decision to stay and complete the program.
Higher educationEighty percent of our graduates go on to higher education, applying to college while at NWA with assistance from our educational services coordinator.
Parent support and educationA comprehensive program including personal-growth seminars, parent conferences, and parent support groups enable you to learn and grow alongside your child.
----------------------
Leadership TeamJohn Schrom, LMFT - Executive Director and Clinical DirectorJohn has worked professionally with adolescents and their families for over 25 years. He earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science degree from California State University Northridge. Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist since 1993, Mr. Schrom has worked in private practice and residential treatment settings. John has provided direct casework services, supervision, training, and program development. In addition, Mr. Schrom specializes in working with adolescent sex offenders. Most recently Mr. Schrom was the Executive Director for Kids First, a non-profit organization located in Hamilton, Montana.
Devorah McIntosh - Academic DirectorDevorah McIntosh, MA, MEd, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, a Masters degree in Guidance Counseling and an additional Masters degree in Educational Administration. She comes to Northwest Academy with many years of academic guidance and mental health experience. She passionately believes that academic success plays a significant part in students' sense of self-worth and accomplishment, allowing students to move toward contributing in a meaningful way to the world in which they will live as young adults. Northwest Academy provides this for our students, interweaving their academic successes with the critical thinking skills and emotional maturity needed to create fully self-realized young adults.
Diana Boyer - Director of AdmissionsDiana Boyer comes to Northwest Academy with a diverse background and ten years’ experience in our industry. Having spent fifteen years living in Asia, she finds daily applications for her knowledge of people and cultures in her work as Director of Admissions. Diana managed the Family Resource Team for CEDU in Idaho, has served as Director of Admissions at CEDU, California, and also at Three Springs’ Auldern Academy in North Carolina. She has built a national reputation for professional excellence among her peers in the education community.
"My passion for people and relationship is at the heart of everything I do," says Diana. She reports that she is a "country girl" at heart and feels right at home being back in Sandpoint, Idaho. Diana has three daughters who reside in the San Francisco Bay area. She loves music, hiking, crossword puzzles, entertaining, and learning new things. She is an accomplished cook, having studied ethnic cooking in Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan and Julia Child’s "Mastering the Art of French Cooking".
Kim Flowers, R.N., BSN - Head NurseKim Flowers, RN, BSN comes to us with over 16 years experience as a Registered Nurse. She comes to Northwest Academy with many years of experience in many states including California, Georgia and Idaho. Kim took a year to do missionary work in Honduras, helping with medical brigades, preparing and organizing the medical supplies and organizing medications.
Laura Taylor - Manager, Family ServicesLaura came to Northwest Academy more than seven years ago, after moving to Idaho from southern California. There, she had been a lead customer service specialist and training coordinator in the resort industry and began her career in the field of human services. Laura has held administrative positions in the office of the District Attorney, for several health and welfare agencies, and in the court systems in both California and Idaho.
"But it is my work at Northwest Academy as a parent communicator and liaison on the multi-disciplinary care management teams caring for our students that has fulfilled my sense of purpose more than any other position I have held," says Laura. "Assisting young people to realize their potential and their families to achieve a new sense of confidence brings value and joy to me. The Northwest Academy mission statement declares what we are and do. I am proud to be a part of this work."
Laura has raised three daughters and has five grandchildren. She and her husband raise ducks and chickens and love living in this wonderful and beautiful place.
Jim Brown - Supervisor, Adventure EducationAfter working for 4-1/2 years at Rocky Mountain Academy as its Recreation/Athletic Director, Jim came to Northwest Academy in 1998 as a Certified Recreation Therapist. Before coming to North Idaho, Jim worked in Boulder, Colorado as a Recreation Therapist in a behavioral health hospital with children, adolescents, and adults. He earned his B.S. Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Illinois State University and is also certified as a Wilderness First Responder, Professional Ski Instructor, and a Licensed Outdoor Guide with the State of Idaho. "My passions include being in the outdoors hiking, or skiing with my Chocolate Lab Cinnamon, and traveling to tropical places to Scuba Dive." Jim is shown with Cinnamon and "Duke" who usually hangs out with his master, Chris Rawlings.
Mike VanDyken - Supervisor, Plant OperationsLora Branson - Food Services ManagerAcademic FacultyDevorah McIntosh - Academic Directorsee above
Ben Evans, Registrar and English TeacherBen Evans, M.Ed., holds a BS in Psychology, a BS Ed in Secondary Education and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, all from the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. He is qualified to teach English and Psychology and begins this term by teaching an American Literature tutorial as well as the second semester of both American and World Literature. Ben has also worked as a psychosocial rehabilitation consultant, guiding, counseling and mentoring children, youth and young adults with behavioral disorders.
In addition, Ben worked for four years as the Coordinator of Academic Advising Services at the University of Idaho Registrar's office, where he provided comprehensive academic and career advisement for General Studies students, particularly assisting those students who were academically at-risk or were undecided about career and life goals.
Gerry Bliss, Chemistry and Geometry TeacherGerry graduated from Central Washington University with honors and received a Master of Biology in Education degree with minors in chemistry and math. He was in private business for several years and taught in the Yakima, WA school district for eight years. He was born and raised in Yakima, WA and he and his wife of 37 years have four sons. His hobbies include old car restoration, hunting, fishing and taking care of his grandchildren - not necessarily in that order.
Dwayne Davis, Math TeacherDwayne Davis received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas and his teaching certificate for Secondary Mathematics in 1977. He also holds a degree in statistics from the University of Texas in Dallas, has worked in the construction industry in cost accounting and quantity control, and is qualified to teach geometry/drafting related courses in an industrial arts curriculum. This Spring Trimester at NWA, he will be teaching Algebra 1A and B, Algebra 2A and Geometry A and B. He is fully qualified to also teach the higher mathematics as students require them.
Mike Bishop, Science TeacherEducation: B.S. Education, University of Idaho
Certifications: State of Idaho teaching certification in Biological Sciences and PE 7-12, technology certified
Scott Victorson, Social Studies TeacherScott grew up in a small fishing community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a town names Escanaba. Scott earned a BAA degree from Central Michigan University in Outdoor Recreation and a Teaching certificate in Health, Physical Education, History and Outdoor Education. Scott also received his diploma from NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) in completing a semester in the Rocky Mountains, as well as being a current Wilderness First Responder and a certified EMT. Besides spending over a decade in higher education, Scott enjoys anything and everything that involves the outdoors. Scott's personal hobbies are snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, traveling, spending time with his family and his German Shorthair Pointer, "Briggs". He plans on continuing to work with young people and seeing and experiencing as much of the world as possible.
Clinical StaffJohn Schrom, LMFT - Clinical Directorsee above
Carolyn Chiappetta, MFA, MS, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (Montana and Idaho) - TherapistCarolyn began her career in the arts as an Interior Designer. She also received degrees in Art Education and Silver & Goldsmithing. She continued her education and completed a Masters in Fine Arts. She spent five years teaching at a Montessori High School. As the Director of the branch of her church, she headed a ten-member board for four years fund-raising and rebuilding the church. Because of her interest in working with families, she obtained her second Masters of Science in Health and Human Development, Marriage and Family. She has worked with adolescents in an alternative school as well as in a therapeutic boarding school for the seven years prior to joining the staff here at Northwest Academy. She specializes in trauma work with adolescents. She is a trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist. This modality has been used for over 20 years with a high success rate for war veterans, victims of rape and other serious traumas. She enjoys playing guitar, photography, and is in the process of working to get her dog Santos registered as a Therapy dog.
Student Life StaffJim Brown - Supervisor, Adventure Educationsee above
Kimberlee Schneider, B.A - Organizational LeadershipAs a Team Manager, Kimberlee brings to our young women’s program knowledge gained in more than ten years as Counselor, Recreation Program Supervisor, Dean of Students and Residential Life, and Summer School Director at boarding schools, youth homes and health care facilities. She has coached girls’ soccer, volleyball and basketball teams, facilitated therapeutic workshops and conflict resolution forums and organized community service projects with a continuing emphasis on teaching and enabling positive choices that improve self-image and self-confidence.
Tracy EdwardsTracy was born in Wales and received a degree in three-dimensional design at South Glamorgan College. She spent six months in the field before she changed her direction and started working with young people. She ran a small group home in Wales before coming to America in 1994 to work for Vision Quest. She moved to Idaho in 1996 where she worked for Ascent as a wilderness instructor and eventually the Wilderness Manager. She also has worked at a therapeutic program for girls. Tracy joined Northwest Academy as a Team Leader in order to share her knowledge and experience with the students.
----------------------
Our CurriculumNorthwest Academy's curriculum is designed to help your child catch up academically, earn their high school diploma, and address the behavioral and emotional challenges that have caused them to fall behind in the first place. We do this by blending personal and emotional growth, challenging academics, and practical learning opportunities in a safe, structured and nurturing learning environment.
Our emotional growth curriculum is divided into three phases, each of which provides core elements that build academic competence, increase independence, and promote personal accountability. Your child's range of emotional comprehension and expression is enhanced. Your son or daughter is empowered to approach academic challenges with renewed enthusiasm. Training in life skills reinforces an adult work ethic.
