Blog

What do holidays look like in treatment? How we celebrate the holidays at Summit Achievement & Summit Traverse

For close to 30 years, we have operated our residential treatment program Summit Achievement and, (in the last 10 years), our short-term Therapeutic Boarding School Summit Traverse. Our programs run 365 days a year, meaning that during the holiday season we must certainly have students enrolled with us. Those outside the field may think it […]

Seven Tips for Helping Your Struggling Teen Manage the Holiday Season 

The holiday season is fast approaching. Along with the cheer and tinsel, we all know it can also bring up challenges for families. When you have a teenager who is struggling with anxiety and/or depression, the hustle and bustle of the season can seem overwhelming to them and cause tension in the home. Here are […]

Summit Achievement Team Presents on Adventure Therapy and Academics

Summit Achievement’s team was hard at work last month, preparing for and presenting at the Northeast NATSAP Conference. Presentation topics included those near and dear to the Summit model: Adventure Therapy and Blended Learning. The Northeast Regional NATSAP (National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs) conference took place in Newport Rhode Island, on October 25th […]

Understanding Blended Learning at Summit Achievement & Summit Traverse 

Summit’s academic program is unique among those offered at residential treatment programs or wilderness/adventure therapy programs for many reasons. Our basic model is one that stands out because it involves not simply remote learning or credit recovery, but blended learning with subject-specific teachers. Furthermore, we are accredited as a private high school. We are fully […]

Don’t Miss Summit Achievement at NE NATSAP ’23!

We are so pleased to once again be attending the Northeast NATSAP Conference in Newport, RI October 25th and 26th, 2023! The regional conference of NATSAP (National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs) is always a delightful conference, filled with colleagues from near (and far!), connections old and new, and of course productive and educational […]

Summit’s Nichol Ernst Presents to AISNE Members about Student Mental Health & Wellness

On Friday, October 6th, Nichol Ernst, Summit’s Co-owner, CEO and Clinical Director had the unique opportunity to present to members of AISNE – the Association of Independent Schools in New England. Nichol’s presentation was part of AISNE’s “Welcome Back” week for their members, which coincided with Mental Health Awareness Week ‘23.  The presentation was titled […]

The Summit Origin Story

The story of Summit’s founding, as told by the three founders of Summit Achievement Chris Mays, Adam Tsapis & Will White Chris Mays In 1980, I started working with Outward Bound (OB) on Hurricane Island in Maine. I held a number of positions in the organization and met my wife, Candide Kane, there. At OB […]