FAQ

Answer: We offer a range of services for parents of children of varied ages—children through young adults. This includes an individualized assessment by our consultant and a review of school records and the needs of your child. This process includes our free 30-minute consultation. This helps us to develop an individualized student profile. We uniquely tailor each plan for each student, using our profile and assessment as an indicator of success to achieve academic success. This type of student management is uniquely designed to help parents through parent coaching. For many of the programs we recommend, we discuss all the details with your family, including those programs best suited to your child. This might include a traditional boarding, day or summer boarding school. which is very different from wilderness therapy or residential treatment program. A gap year program or military boarding school is very different from an acute care medical facility for children, adolescents, and students with substance abuse or mental health issues. Our direction is to find the support you need to help your family in any final decision to make finding the right fit for your child. We help parents improve their outcomes in the placement process by connecting the dots. Each parent or parent has been explained, by our consultant, not only the placement options but the needs in the placement. This also includes international students or students studying abroad. Many times, we explain to parents the philosophy of the school or program before entering into a formal agreement with you. This allows us to work on your behalf rather than be misinformed. Whether for academic remediation or to increase your child's grade level, after failing, to learn English, or to address a behavioral issue, we provide direction for all of our families. It can be more with students with special needs. We help these parents in these situations by addressing these needs before entering into an agreement. When parents are unable to make those critical decisions or need help to address their child's needs, with special needs, we advise them about the challenges that might be faced when not seeking our support. We actually coordinate with the school and the parents the details about admission to a school by gathering the information we request and by providing direction for your child. This completion of any educational or psychological testing from the beginning of the placement to the end helps parents. In the case of traditional boarding school placement, we explain the admission requirements, deadlines, and types of school days to help parents make this choice. We establish the steps necessary to get the process moving forward and we help eliminate having to do the work on your own. This saves time and money. While some parents may be initially hesitant, we explore the results of our placement by sharing testimonials of parents and students, which have produced results. While some placements are no guarantee, we do offer to continue to work with the family, often at no additional cost.

Answer: The benefits of hiring an Independent Educational Consultant are far better than doing the work on your own. This helps to avoid making mistakes on your own and saves time and money. Parents who are indecisive generally make mistakes by doing the work themselves and seeking answers, having later to be corrected by a consultant. Allowing us to help, can direct you better establish a better relationship with your child leading to more success. Additionally, we have worked with more families and understand the complexities of the family as a whole. We can explain this very complex process to your family and can help you make the best choices in helping your family, because of our knowledge of schools programs, the admission process, and the individual needs of each child in the education process, as well as the best school or program on addressing the academic and therapeutic needs of your child. Additionally, we determine whether there is a need for some testing or referrals for testing. Our consultant helps you avoid making mistakes by overlooking areas, sometimes made by parents who are doing this in haste or are unfamiliar with the specialty area of a consultant. A school or program might require an interview before admission. We understand how a student is accepted into a school and we also know the admission process. Because of our knowledge of schools and programs, we are able to help you make this decision early, thus not delaying the process. In traditional boarding schools, admission is required and a part of the application process. Our consultant will help and explain this process. Each student has their own unique needs. Allowing our consultant to help your child is critical. This process may include some psychological testing, which might be required for a student in a special needs program. It may involve a very simple application process with a traditional boarding school placement. Or it may include a more formal medical evaluation for a student with a known psychological profile or special need. A student's best fit for a therapeutic school placement might not be one the parents will accept. A traditional boarding school may also not work. In fact, they seldom are accepted. The focus might be different. They are designed to help the student who is challenged, or who is not always accepted in a more religious school, to improve their academic or learning challenges and maturity. While our clinical specialty staff is also involved in working with us, we also help the families we serve by doing aftercare and follow-up. We do recognize the range of needs in this area, which we address as part of our services to families. Helping parents with their most challenging situations is what we do best. We arrange tours to schools, explain the philosophy of each school, and explore any critical decisions with parents before making any final decision. Working closely with these families, explaining step-by-step the needs of your child, is essential to our practice.

Answer: The parents portal is designed to gather information using Best Notes in therapeutic placement. It was set up through Best Notes, a medical documentation model to gather information for therapeutic placement. It allows our consultant to obtain information about your child and your family. Best Notes provides the most up-to-date collaboration for parents and our consultant. We ask you to sign in to the portal and after completion, send it to us via email, at educationalplanning28@gmail.com, in a pdf file. These findings, along with our assessment, will develop a working relationship with your child and family. The portal is for therapeutic placement unless we need information on the initial assessment.

Answer: Parents can call us to discuss any challenges, with their children. We generally tell parents, we will work with them until placement is needed. Not rushing you through the process of helping your child. No matter what the circumstances, helping you is what we are all about. Not placing your child in various programs. We understand parents' concerns about their children, especially younger children, to whom they generally have an attachment until they reach a certain age. Working with you on this basis is our concern not moving you in a direction you are not prepared for. When you ready we are ready to help you.Answer: Parents can call us to discuss any challenges, with their children. We generally tell parents, we will work with them until placement is needed. Not rushing you through the process of helping your child. No matter what the circumstances, helping you is what we are all about. Not placing your child in various programs. We understand parents' concerns about their children, especially younger children, to whom they generally have an attachment until they reach a certain age. Working with you on this basis is our concern not moving you in a direction you are not prepared for. When you are ready we are ready to help you.

Answer: We will send you an invoice through PayPal which will allow you to pay online using any credit card or through your bank. Paypal is also available to international families through direct debit using the exchange calculator.

Answer: An international family is charged according to the placement needs of their child. This discussion happens at the start of the placement by our consultant. The process of working with an international family requires a significant and sometimes extensive amount of time by our consultant in travel as well as the documentation preparing and sharing by our consultant. Families of international students need to understand this and because of this alone, the fees we charge might additional changes in working with a family overseas. When a family is in the US it's a bit easier but it does not mean it's easy by any means. When the student is not a legal citizen but living in the United States it's a violation of the law. Recent immigration laws have still restricted students from entering the country without a visa or passport and those working but not full-time students are still violating the status of their visa and are not allowed to work and be a student. Some families feel they can "come in the backdoor"​ and work and still be a student but it's not true. This is a violation of your student visa and can result in deportation. This alone can result in legal fees beyond our control. International families need to understand this before we have any agreement. We allow 14 days for full payment. Currency rates do apply depending on the country and the exchange rate. Before sending any payment, please check with your banking institution and call us to address the routing of this payment. We do not accept checks; we only accept certified bank funds. This prevents any returns and our refund policy is the same as for domestic families.Answer: An international family is charged according to the placement needs of their child. This discussion happens at the start of the placement by our consultant. The process of working with an international family requires a significant and sometimes extensive amount of time by our consultant in travel as well as the documentation preparing and sharing by our consultant. Families of international students need to understand this and because of this alone, the fees we charge might additional changes in working with a family overseas. When a family is in the US it's a bit easier but it does not mean it's easy by any means. When the student is not a legal citizen but living in the United States it's a violation of the law. Recent immigration laws have still restricted students from entering the country without a visa or passport and those working but not full-time students are still violating the status of their visa and are not allowed to work and be a student. Some families feel they can "come in the backdoor"​ and work and still be a student but it's not true. This is a violation of your student visa and can result in deportation. This alone can result in legal fees beyond our control. International families need to understand this before we have any agreement. We allow 14 days for full payment. Currency rates do apply depending on the country and the exchange rate. Before sending any payment, please check with your banking institution and call us to address the routing of this payment. We do not accept checks; we only accept certified bank funds. This prevents any returns and our refund policy is the same as for domestic families.

Answer: There are three types of visas

M 1 J 1 and F.1 These visas are described on the US immigration website. The F1 is for academic studies. J 1 is for practical training. and the M1 is for vocational training.

Answer: Actual, probably not. The current M1 M1 J1 visa is issued by the state department, not by the president. The president's executive order is to ban the 7 countries would unlikely resolve deportation. Those 7 countries are already banned by a previous executive order by the previous president. It is probably unlikely that an international student would be deported when coming back. The following countries are banned; Syria, Lybia, Somalia, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen.

Answer: Most insurance carriers do not cover our fees or services for working with families. Some will pay for individual therapy services in a program. But this does vary in each program, just not all programs. We will guide you through this entire process by explaining and submitting forms to your insurance company, and by getting you the information you need from us.

Answer: Most insurance carriers do not cover placement fees or services for working with families as a consultant. Some will and we have had the experience where some will pay. Most insurance will pay for individual therapy services in a program. But this does vary in each program, just not all programs. Some programs will submit a bill to insurance review. We will guide you through the entire process, explaining and submitting forms to your insurance company, for consideration in a therapeutic placement.

Answer: Depends. Some parents facing children in a critical situation may need our help and may find it difficult to handle "out of control adolescents". Working with these families can be a challenge. We do offer support in getting their child to a program, and we follow up after they enter the program. Many parents allow us to help them decide on the program or the method of getting into a program that is in the best interest of their child. When a consultant works with a family, we offer the guidance and support you cannot get from making a choice on your own. We follow your child from the beginning of the placement to the end; from the admission process to the discharge. Working with parents, we help you understand an IEP, and how this works to help your child. This includes understanding a 504 plan or a Manifestation Plan, which is sometimes used for behavioral challenges. Many times we work with a local education department to address funding for a school or program. This is essential to working with families of special needs students. Families are often faced with challenges when emotions and behavior by a child is unpredictable. Our knowledge and experience with families allows us to help or we can quickly deescalate the situation or event. Example: Transporting a child to a program can create much anxiety for parents. Our consultant will help parents in this situation by coordinating this entire process, assuring your child's safety. Fears can sometimes make decision making impossible. We can reassure your family, even in a crisis situation, we can handle these situations by being with other professionals, with experience and knowledge to help your family.

Answer: Yes to all of these. The complexities of working with this population are as varied as the setting to which they belong. We bring a wealth of knowledge in this area and parents to need the information to share with family and others. We provide not only direction but the support needed to direct parents to the right programs to benefit their children. In many cases, the consequences of sexual abuse overlap with the primary diagnosis sometimes leading to a dual diagnosis and we help families in this area. In the case of eating disorders, we do work with both girls and boys in this area. This might require a specialized setting or residential placement to address medical and emotional conditions raised from abuse. There might be a varied age group addressing attachment disorder and dual diagnosis in the case of eating disorders or anxiety and depression or both. Self-abuse might also be an issue. We're happy to help with girls who are engaged in cutting as well. Ages may range from as low as 7 years to preteens through adolescents or young adults. Some programs have a very intensive 3-day program and others provide an intensive (up to a week-long) series of therapy sessions with parents and their children. Other programs provide ongoing therapy with families over an extended period of time, perhaps up to six meetings on campus. The cost might include meals and lodging for parents. Others have 30-89 day programs all of these will be addressed by our consultant.

Answer: Most students attend a boarding school at the same time regular students attend a public school. While the start of the term might be in the fall or winter, most schools have a regular semester and summer program. Many boarding schools also have enrichment programs.

Answer: This really depends on the type of program or school. Many therapeutic schools have an open or rolling enrollment policy. Placement may last for several months; it might last 10-13 months; or it might last well over a year. While this might be extended or reduced, the stay and cost depend on the student reaching the goals of the program and having an aftercare plan. Most therapeutic programs establish measurable goals at the beginning and work with the family, during the time the student enters the program, until the time they leave; and sometimes afterward in aftercare with a therapist and our consultant. Many students return to their previous "home school", either to complete many of the courses they need for graduation or to leave a therapeutic school placement where they do have some credits that are applied toward their completing a grade level in high school. Some students may stay longer. Most schools are accredited and have graduation dates or an established curriculum and discharge dates, and accreditation. A student may continue their education while in a program until graduation or even graduate and enroll in college courses. Most therapeutic schools' students must meet the objectives or requirements of the state and local education agencies. Students are often referred to as "LEAs" (local education agencies) by the consultant, or at the request of the family who may not pursue a therapeutic setting, but must continue in a therapeutic setting. The term LEA is often used to represent The Department of Education for their particular state and is often used in describing the "home school district". In most cases, all courses are transferable and can be used in the next grade level. which is reviewed by an educational consultant.

Answer: Many of our placements and tours have been to schools around the country. Some of those schools include: Discovery Academy, Buxton School, Brandon Hall, New Directions, Rumsley Hall, Miss Halls, Second Nature, Ridge Creek, Moonridge Academy, Red Rock Canyon School, Simons Rock, Pacific Quest, Discovery Ranch, Diamond Ranch Academy, Sedona Sky are among so many other traditional boarding or therapeutic schools and programs. Our consultant is familiar with many schools and his specialty area, and this is the focus of his business. This allows our own uniqueness for the families to make key decisions. In our practice, we view many programs, including boarding, day, residential, therapeutic and day schools. We also provide a link to our blog, which has comments on some of our tours and programs, explaining to parents our role.

Yes. There are a few programs for boys and some have moved toward girls. We help in both areas to address this most complex issue for parents, and there is a need for a specialized clinician in this area of treatment. Having a strong psychiatric background, we know both the diagnostic needs and the support needed for these families and the children of these families. We also work with the clinical team in these situations, providing a safe environment.

Answer: Yes. Many times children or adolescents and young adults have challenges in this area and also suffer in other areas related to functioning. We help these students and their parents by determining the best setting or program to attend.

Conventional treatment is not what we do. We do not do individual therapy but a clinical team works together with the family. Our office is the treatment setting for the family and the student is where we do the therapy. We do not accept insurance by providing coverage for this type of therapy but in this case, with the school or program.

Insurance coverage is generally not a part of the placement until the family agrees to the cost of the program. The separate cost might include sending a child to a program When there are issues of management we offer or recommend an initial psychological evaluation or assessment before entering a program.

Answer: Yes, we do work with young adults. In most cases, these young adults need direction, support, supervision and, most often, medication management and job skills. In many cases, a recovery program when drug or substance abuse exists, is addressed including education. It is important to be in the right setting with young adults and we receive the right services by many trained professionals familiar with these types of students. We do aftercare and follow up with these students in the entire placement process as well as in patient treatment. Parents of these students are often in a crisis. We might recommend to the parents steps needed in making those key decision for addressing management or stabilization of the student. While many consultants who are familiar with working with young adults, mental illness or chemical dependency often tend to need a guardian or parent to be involved in this process, but are aware that their child is now an adult. Our discussion is on helping these families deal with the challenges of both education and daily living issues, often seen with these individuals. As well , we recognize these challenges in a successful placement setting. Young adults with mental health issues tend to have life skills issues in general and the educational piece is usually followed afterwards. We ask all parents to work with us in both the educational and living skills part of our services. Treatment is usually quite lengthy and very different from boarding school placement. An intensive treatment stabilization program usually comes before entering a school. Sometimes a residential program is a better match versus a school or educational setting. We do not generally recommend state facilities or all residential treatment programs as a placement option. When insurance is an issue, we help the parents or the young adult understand insurance based programs may not offer the same length of stay as private pay facilities. In fact, in most cases insurance based programs offer shorter length of stay with less chance for long term success.

Answer: Yes. Many young adults and children these days have either experimented with or used drugs. Some have not. These students may need help in a specific program to address these needs. Many of our therapeutic programs address this area and also have a 12-step program incorporated into their regular schedule. Some programs have off campus support groups, some with adults, others with only adolescents. Most therapeutic programs for young adults or teens start at age 12 or younger, and continue with an older group, aged about 18 through 24, or older. Although in many instances experimental use by young children is common, many programs have younger and even older ages. While some program do extend far beyond this age, it might be a consideration for a student even in their late 20s to work with an educational consultant in a program.

Additionally, when a preteen or young adult uses drugs or alcohol extensively, it does require possible a detox unit to address the withdrawal symptoms depending on the drug. We work with our recommended intervention experts in these cases to provide short-term treatment therapy placement options to facilities that can address this area.

Answer: Most private schools or therapeutic schools and programs do not accept insurance as a general rule. While some young adult and adolescent programs are now adding this component. In the past, it was seldom paid by most major insurance carriers, unless it is determined to be a medical necessity and essential service. Medical might cover residential programs which is decided on a day to day payment recommended by the school or program based on their level of care. Not all schools meet this requirement. We will advise you of this as well. This means it was essential to the care of the client, and in the past programs were not designed to absorb these cost. When a program did not have this factored in and losses were suffered by high claims, the cost that was not paid also resulted in losses by the insurance carriers. The result was a great loss in profit, and a loss in operating some programs, which have closed. We do make every effort to explore all these options, while working with the families and the student, in finding support financially for the placement This might include working with the financial officer at the schools or program.

 Answer: A student placed in the wrong school or learning environment, can suffer for a lifetime. This can affect a students' lives permanently or temporarily. An educational consultant can help parents understand the developmental process of their child, leading to success. Some students who attend the wrong school may simply not have the direction needed for them in helping them achieve success. Some students become rebellious, oppositional and defiant. They do not follow the rules, they are argumentative, they are not motivated, all of which sometimes leads to drug or substance abuse or legal altercations. Other students may struggle with certain subjects or they start failing classes and simply give up. They become withdrawn and socially isolated. Some children are unable to ask for help, do not say a word, and are silent until their behavior is recognized by a parent, teacher or educational consultant.

Answer: Many parents choose a boarding school because it offers a much broader education for most students. Parents often consider boarding school to be more challenging in curriculum. In a traditional boarding school, for example, students who are gifted or exceptional might be the template for success. But there are many types of schools, and they might be single-gender and coed boarding schools. Boarding schools are not just for the elite or rich kids. They provide a unique environment for learning, which is often more diverse, offers many languages, teach methods, experiences and opportunities. They offer ethnic diversity, higher academic and higher academic expectations. Students come from all over the world, often seeking a more rigorous curriculum and a different experience which is unique to boarding school. Many students who attend boarding schools find the experience broadens their education and they go on to attend very competitive colleges and universities. Many attend Ivy League colleges like Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, Wesley, Smith, Barnard, Manhattan School for Music, Julliard, just to name a few. Definition: A boarding school is usually a fee-charging school where some or all pupils not only study, but also live with fellow students, and sometimes teachers. The word 'boarding' in this sense means to provide food and lodging.

Answer: Depends. Most good boarding schools range from $40,000-$60,000 or even higher. There are cheaper schools; however, they are not always the better ones for some parents. Some schools have tuition based on the size of the school, or their tuition is established by the board of directors or trustees, who decide on the cost of the school. Smaller schools with the same tuition can actually end up costing less, depending on how much financial aid is available at this particular school, and by the endowment established by the school. Most consultants cannot quote prices to parents over the telephone, simply because the purpose of hiring a consultant is to help you with this process. Selecting a boarding school takes time. Working with a consultant allows parents to not make a selection in haste, avoiding the pitfalls of choosing a school on your own. Tuition generally goes up each year at most boarding schools, and many day or private schools. Parents who finance their child's education, based on their own savings, is the most effective way to pay for a student attending boarding school. It is very common for parents to have to cover upfront fees. We find most parents have a good idea of the cost; but for those who do not, we discuss your options. Merit scholarships and endowment funds are available at most boarding schools for students who perform well on standardized tests or academically. Some scholarships are offered at traditional, as well as therapeutic schools, during the school year to help defray the cost of tuition. Some schools offer prorated tuition rates if the student starts in mid-semester. Most schools encourage parents to pay in advance - preferably in the fall. In the case of therapeutic schools. there is usually an upfront cost paid by the parents at the start of the school year. Most schools will work with a consultant and parent to address their final need. Tuition usually includes: books, housing and meals, as well as other expenses. Most boarding school students are given an allowance on a weekly basis, which can be used by the student. In the long run, attending boarding school can often save more money for parents. Those expenses can be calculated in the cost and it may be cheaper to attend a boarding school in the long run.

Answer: Yes. In most instances, a boarding school is a request by international students who are looking for a college or to learn English. International students do vary from each country. They tend to have their own standards for testing, and interest in hiring an educational consultant or agent might be to navigate the process of finding a school for acceptance. We do work with international agents who also know this market very well. We do travel to international conferences such as ICEF or School Connections, both who are very familiar with working with us in this market. International agents and educational consultants looking at schools and programs are very common in this market.

Answer: In most cases, to learn English as a second language. The other reason is to become proficient in reading and writing before seeking acceptance into a college or university.

Answer: No. Domestic consultants do not get paid by a school for placing a student in their school. International agents do get a fee for placement and this is sometimes paid by the school. Both are very common practices in the industry.

Answer: Many different types of students attend boarding school. There are international students, students who come from single-parent families or homes, adopted students, traditional families with both parents, as well as those who are living in the states and abroad. Many students attending boarding school in the United States seem to come from the Eastern seaboard. However, territories such as Puerto Rico, The US Virgin Islands, Trinidad, or even Guam are also included in this mixture of students at most schools. Many students come from Bermuda, The Bahamas, as well as other Caribbean islands. The Asian countries such as Korea, China and the Philippines are very commonly represented. We have met students previously living in the Ukraine, Russia, and The Middle East that are becoming a growing population for agents to work with families. In our experience, most students are very mature, having a much more global learning knowledge. However, some students need a more structured learning experience by attending a school either here in the United States or abroad. This enables them to have a much broader perspective and learning experience as in the case of Asian families. However, many students come from parents who are deployed in the military, separated by distance or expatriate families. There are consultants who specialize in this area allowing parents who are temporarily or permanently stationed to receive help. We do work with other consultants addressing this specialized area of placement.

Answer: Yes. Most boarding schools require a student to take the (SSAT) Secondary School Achievement Test. The SSAT is administered at many different locations around the country. Some consultants administer the test in their offices. Most traditional boarding schools have a boarding component. Therapeutic boarding schools require students to meet their specific admission requirements, which generally involve submitting an application and requesting academic records, or even medical records.

Answer: Absolutely! We do! Many students who have developmental disabilities have a range of conditions from having a significantly lower IQ to sometimes having physical abnormalities. Some students who have a lower than 70 in overall intellectual function do need specialized services and direction by an educational consultant. Students with these disabilities face many challenges that sometimes can be overcome with help in a clinical setting or others services that are out of the realm of what a consultant can provide. Students with Down Syndrome or Williams Syndrome are a perfect example why placement in a school, or direction to other services by a consultant, may be needed. While the condition of these students does vary, we help their families identify the best programs and services to meet their needs. Many times these conditions require well over a year or more for placement, and in some cases additional support with another agency.

Answer: This is a student who attends a boarding school but lives at home. Day boarding students sometimes become boarding students. Often, students live at home and later decide to become boarding students.

Answer: An Independent Educational Consultant provides a range of services for families. It is common for a consultant trained in working with families to help parents and students with educational planning or services directly impacting the needs of a student. Many consultants provide additional services including: testing or assessment to allow the parent(s) or student to make informed choices about a program or school before working with a family. The job title does not appear in The Occupational Outlook Handbook. However, the title is similar yet different in scope from a school counselor. It is not a position held in a school or a school district. Most educational consultants are typically self-employed (or are part of a consulting firm) working together with other consultants in many instances. Many consultants have a background in psychology, education and social work, which have a specific focus to help families in their practice. Many consultants have training in mental health and educational therapy, or education administration, or direct classroom experience, which is very helpful in their practice. Many consultants take additional tours to visit schools and programs, which is essential to becoming a consultant, also have certification or membership with organizations. A consultant who has not toured may not have firsthand knowledge of a school or program, so it's important to ask them if they do. Many consultants have affiliations with varied professional organizations which support their particular practice. In our case, we address the associations that are most familiar with our student placements or options, and are continually keeping our memberships and affiliations with these organizations up to date.

Answer: Many students have already been tested in school at different grade levels, but some students still might need to be re-tested after placement in a school or program. Many consultants will request educational testing, depending on the needs of the student. Many therapeutic programs require a full battery of psychological testing and educational testing before entering a program. In a traditional boarding school, this testing is not required but an admission test or an essay may be required. The purpose for testing might be to address the psychological and educational needs of the student.

Answer: Yes. Most boarding schools have registration or application fees. Don't let this be confused with tuition. These are separate from tuition fees. These fees are to secure the student's place at the school and to pay for the application. Completing the admission packet is just part of the process, but there are sometimes additional fees to pay for activities, health insurance, and other fees not a part of the tuition. Most boarding schools require both parents or the principal parent paying for tuition to sign the agreement for payment with the school. Acceptance to a boarding school or program generally starts with a letter of acceptance. All registration fees are payable by the parent in advance of the school year. Traditional boarding schools do have registration fees payable at the start of the school year. Most therapeutic boarding schools have a registration and tuition fee when a student starts a program, but this can be prorated to the start of the program. Most consultants will advise the parents of the existence of both fees for either a boarding school or a therapeutic school. Payment options, or arrangements for registration and tuition, are generally discussed before entering a program. Most consultants feel more comfortable addressing the tuition fees with parents in the comfort of their homes or offices. However, before the placement is completed, this needs to be clarified. Those fees which are not part of the consultant fees can sometimes be confusing; but regarding schools, there is an increase annually. Early application for students who attend college is advantageous to not only secure a spot at a school but to also anticipate the tuition increase the following year. Most consultants working on the admission side of the placement discuss the registration process with the school administrator.

Answer: Therapeutic boarding schools can cost as much as $120,000 a year. Therapeutic boarding schools have specific fees for registration and application. These fees secure the student a place at the school. Most therapeutic boarding schools provide complete housing and food for students, including payment for activities, and in some cases, equipment for recreational programming or athletics. In some settings, such as equine therapy or art therapy or recreational therapy, where a program may require clothing, additional fees are factored into the tuition and the fees for the school. The cost for most boarding or therapeutic schools rises annually. We discuss all fees and tuition when we meet to help parents understand both the cost and the many services available at therapeutic boarding schools, traditional boarding schools or residential treatment programs.

Answer: This is not a simple answer. It may vary from consultant to consultant; however, in general, a student might go to a wilderness program when they are not yet able to be in a school setting. Most consultants will place a student in a wilderness program to be assessed clinically by a therapist before attending a therapeutic school or program. Students faced with significant behavioral challenges might also benefit from this type of placement, particularly when behavior is the single matter in change. We need to identify these behaviors in a wilderness program so that improvements will occur. Therapeutic boarding schools are usually a step up from a wilderness program. Wilderness programs have a shorter length of stay, but a placement really involves transitioning the student from one program to another. Many parents may not be fully convinced a wilderness program is a right choice for their child. However, we have found after students are in the program, change does happen. The best choice, from our experience with students, is to move the student to the right program when the progress or when behavior is not manageable at home. Most of our placements in a therapeutic boarding school start at 45 days and may be as many as 90 days. We can usually make a smooth transition when the student is emotionally stable and has worked on behaviors before or after entering the program. This might include family workshops or family therapy which is coordinated by the educational consultant and the clinical staff at the school.

Answer: A boot camp is a corrective program, not a therapeutic intervention to address adolescents. While these programs may have gained popularity in the media, many are not licensed or accredited. In many situations, adolescents who attend these program are not provided with educational services or family therapy. Many children who attend these programs become more resistant and oppositional. As a consultant, we do not recommend these programs. A wilderness program offers clinically trained staff, with significant training—usually at least 60 hours—with a undergraduate or graduate degree. This is a better match for our students. This type of program helps parents understand their child's behavior. Many students enrolled in a wilderness program have at least a three month length of stay, or longer, that is followed up by a therapeutic boarding school placement. A wilderness program offers much broader support and is supervised by a trained individual who has a background in family therapy. This provides more support for helping a student with emotional growth issues and maturity challenges.

Answer: Boarding schools – both single-gender and coeducational - provide a range of academic courses that are both challenging and sometimes referred to as elite preparation for college. Most schools provide a variety of options for parents. Boarding school has a broad range of courses, including foreign languages, mathematics, natural and physical sciences, advanced mathematics, geometry, calculus and trigonometry. Many also offer extracurricular activities such as community service, clubs and interscholastic and intramural athletics ranging from lacrosse and soccer to swimming, volleyball, tennis, golf, skiing and snowboarding. Most boarding schools have dramatic arts, creative arts and music classes for students as well. All boarding schools have house parents who supervise the students and plan weekend activities. Field trips are generally common on weekends. Shopping is always arranged by supervising staff or faculty in a boarding school. Students are seldom left alone in a boarding school and have rules and expectations, which are explained to students during the orientation period. Most schools have a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol abuse. Violations generally result in expulsion or restrictions, and smoking is definitely prohibited. There is always a dress code at most boarding schools that is similar at a therapeutic school or program. We visit as least 50 schools annually and many schools know that we often must explain the difference to parents. Military boarding schools and single-gender and coeducational boarding schools do have a code of honor. Most boarding schools do have high expectations for students as well as parents. Boarding schools do have parent committees and they do support the school and its students. Therapeutic boarding schools offer parent workshops and work differently from traditional boarding schools. They help students with academic and emotional challenges and learning differences. A recommendation for placement in a therapeutic school is based on the consultant's experience, assessment and needs of the student. Most parents will find that a consultant has a background in a specific placement area works well. The consultant will also know the various schools and programs. Most consultants will not place a student in a therapeutic setting unless they have some knowledge of the student's psychological needs or educational needs. This includes academic history and current level of function. Often, a consultant will refer a family to a psychologist before placement to identify the psychological capabilities of the student. The consultant might need to determine if the student can meet the challenges of returning to school. When a student resists complying with regular school, the consultant may recommend choosing another therapeutic placement rather than a regular school. Most therapeutic boarding schools have smaller class size and individual therapy (or even family therapy sessions) as part of their program. Academically many students needs are addressed in both of these settings; however, the rules and expectations are significantly different in therapeutic boarding school, when compared to traditional boarding school. Most students in a therapeutic school have travel restrictions and rules until they earn privileges through some reward system, and they have supervision in the program for visits and passes. Family may visit, but generally after completing the goals of the program.

Answer: Most educational consultants meet with parents before any schools are recommended. Remember, we do not work for a particular independent school - we are independent from the schools and programs we serve. The families are our principal investors in working with school. They are critical to our business since the needs of families come before making any final decision on a school. There can be no successful placement by a consultant without knowing the family or parents and the school. The question most parents ask most often is “Can you tell me just any school?” We do not generally recommend any school without visiting the school or touring it. Offering a list of schools or suggestions for any school or program would not be wise to provide to any parent, by a consultant without meeting the parents. Working to help parents by offering the “best options” is what we do best. This approach allows us to meet parents and the student and to assess their needs and to discuss the schools we know best. This makes hiring a consultant so important.

Answer: There is a vast difference between regular boarding schools and residential treatment programs. Most boarding schools have no treatment at all in their focus, while it's the opposite for residential treatment programs. Residential treatment programs usually involve a significant amount of treatment and staffing. Most with a clinical staff including Social Workers, Nurse practitioners, Psychiatrists, Professional Counselors and Therapists. Most residential treatment programs have a medical model with academic support. Boarding Schools have less clinical staffing and focus on the academic needs of the student. There is usually a set academic schedule versus a therapy school, with house parents on call or a nurse or superior versus a complete clinical staff. They have a range of academic and extracurricular activities. As a rule, they are much broader, have more freedom and less structure or restrictions. But there are rules in boarding schools, ranging from dress to classroom attendance. Boarding schools also have day students at some schools.

Answer: Yes. We work on college placements— some domestic and some international. Our expertise is working with special needs students in this area. We also work with gifted students, parents with children in K-12 grades, LD students, or students with special needs are typically our population. We find that parents need our help in the early grades as well as at the middle school level. We find it much better to start college planning earlier. Helping students in middle school shows significantly more success. We offer help in testing for college and meeting these important deadlines. College testing varies with each school and the admission requirements vary for incoming freshmen versus transfer students; but knowing the placement process can help parents.

Answer: We help parents by offering options that meet your immediate needs. Sometimes we have to work through various placement options available before, or have this in our discussion, but we are familiar with all options since some schools have limits to enrollment or only allow a certain number of students to be admitted. A single placement requires at least 40 hours of clock time to work with the student and parent (via telephone or meeting), review educational records, request records from schools, arrange psychological testing, arrange tours, discuss financial aid options and, of course, finally get to the school or program. We can help by defining the needs of the student before they consider a school. This requires time, but can prevent an unsuccessful placement.

Answer: An invoice will be sent to a parent or parent(s) for our services via email through Pay Pal. The voice will include the date, a description of services, we provided and the date due. When needed an extension will be provided to parents to accommodate their individual needs. Our fees are explained in our agreement which is sent to each parent at the time of services.

Answer: An educational consultant is the most qualified professional to assist parents in a placement of their child. An educational consultant knows how to help parents in this process and save hours of time and money. Most consultants will not do a placement without a visit to a school or program. Hiring a consultant requires a lot of energy on the part of the family.

Answer: Yes, of course! We have found most parents requesting information are simply looking for more information or are shopping around, and that is fine. We will be happy to meet with you. Our initial free 30 minute consultation provides basic information about our services. We find it simpler to meet with you after this, in person. A conference call is also possible to talk to you when distance is a problem. Of course, after the initial meeting, we cannot continue to discuss all of your options without an agreement in place to explain our services. Unfortunately, it is very costly to discuss a placement without some commitment. Parents usually come to some decision about our services after we meet.

Answer: Yes. Many parents ask us for references. We would be happy to provide this information after we have been retained. We cannot disclose our clients to other clients without their consent. When parents ask us for references. They generally ask: "Can we speak to someone you worked with?” We feel that parents need information about our services, but we cannot disclose information about other clients or students. The information we are able to share is always considered confidential. We need to talk to our clients. Before you contact our references, we must ask their permission. When a family decides not to discuss the placement, it is simply a personal choice, not a reflection of our business. We must maintain the highest level of personal integrity and confidentiality for our business and our clients. We never say never! Our willingness to work with parents to maintain our commitment is very important. We know that there are always the exceptions to any business where a client is not satisfied. However, our standing with the Better Business Bureau reflects an A rating, with no complaints filed by any of our clients in our business practices. We are in this business to help the parents and families we serve.

Answer: Yes of course. We regularly work with international students. and it is common to hear from students in India, China, Korea, Africa and Europe. International students follow the same process when applying to a boarding school or college. We help them through the entire process. International students must file an I-20, or student visa, for acceptance into a program. This is generally handled by the school after acceptance. Without exception, international students must follow the laws of this country. A legal passport and visa is the only acceptable form of identification for international students. When a student or family member misrepresents themselves in the admission process, or if a misrepresentation is discovered by our consultant—such as a misleading or false report concerning citizenship status or visa status—we will discontinue services. Similarly, if a parent misrepresents themselves, we will discontinue our services. We have discovered that when a student has committed a felony or other criminal act that results in felony or misstatement charges, we will discontinue our services. When parents are familiar with how international placement works, it is always better. Then we will work with you as long as you are honest.

Answer: A transport service is a fully bonded service we use to get students to a program. We have our own services that we feel are the most reliable and effective in the business. When we transport a girl to a program, we use a female transport. When we transport a boy we use a male transport, and in most cases, we use two types of transport. We do not use physical restraints or chemical restraints in transporting students to a program. This is why we need to meet to discuss these issues when a student has significant behavioral or management issues.

Answer: Yes. Maybe. Maybe not. Many parents who request a private school may not understand the difference between a private school and a private boarding school. We help parents to understand a specific school or program, with limits to the cost of a school. Some parents will find that it might be difficult working with a consultant when the cost for the program is higher than they can afford. In these instances, we try to help the parent no matter what the circumstance, but we provide options which are realistic. Consultants cannot determine the needs of a student based on a specific dollar amount attached to a school by the parent(s). Most consultants cannot afford to remain in this business when a parent has determined that they cannot afford a specific school or program. This does not mean we will not work with a parent, if the school is within our range for services. Many parents will find while searching for a school that most private schools may cost much more than public schools. We simply cannot afford to send a student to a junior boarding or upper level school that is less than the average public school. The average family paying regular taxes pays about $7, 300 per year in regular public school. So asking a consultant to find a school that is less than a public school may not be realistic for the consultant. Special needs students are given $28,000 per year for special education services at public schools. However, unless supported by an IEP, most districts have not paid for a private school placement. There have been exceptions in the case of Oregon through a ruling by a Supreme Court decision in 2000. Most private day schools alone cost from $11,000 and higher. Although we would like to work with you, we certainly want to do our very best to find the best school for you at an affordable price. Some school districts have paid for special education services in a private school. International parents will find that, in most cases, the cost for a private school is two or three times the cost for many students living outside the country. We would be happy discuss with you the options you have, but we have to be realistic. We cannot find a school that is simply not affordable, when the parent has limited resources. Our goal is to find the resources for you. This takes time by the consultant. We ultimately want to help you find the best option for you and your child. Maintaining the highest level of personal confidentiality with parents is important to us in this business, so we do not discuss with other parents or consultants your credit worthiness for a school or a program. We have to work out all of the details with you in addressing your child's needs. Therefore, it is essential for us to meet with you, to speak on the telephone with you, and to let you know all of the details. It is probably better for you to contact us via email or telephone. We are available most of the time any day of the week, so please call us at your convenience. Our willingness to work with parents and to maintain our commitment is very important. We have to discuss many areas of placement when it comes to finances with a parent. Sometimes, we have to discuss the reality of having to pay less than public school for a private school, which is simply not available. In this case, we would be both open and honest with you. We know that in many instances there are simply limits to your budget, especially in these times. But by knowing these constraints, there are always the exceptions. Any business relationship with parents must be based on trusting information that is accurate and clear. Whether parents can afford a school or program is up to the parent, not the consultant. But we will work with you in all areas to address your needs. We want to maintain a relationship with you based on trust and confidence. Our business is to help parents. With that comes the need to provide them with information to support our practice as a professional.

Answer: Sure! Many parents call us and ask us this question! It is a question that cannot be answered over the telephone. Simply because it conjures up other questions by parents, which we have found leads to a “ton” of other questions. Questions such as, "How much does it cost? Can't you give me a price? Do you think you can get my son or daughter in a program or school now? Why not? Why is that school so expensive? We could never afford that kind of school! Thanks anyway!” We recommend parents read our FAQ because in our discussion, addressing many of these issues can be discussed here. Simply reply to us via email. Many of the same topics or questions regarding cost for private schools and boarding schools can only be discussed after we meet. When a parent is looking for a specific school or program, and that might be a performing arts or music school, there are several options. One is to find out if the student is interested in attending the school. Second, if the parents can afford the school, but we need to speak with parents because they might have several options, not just one. Generally, many parents have made up their mind about this school or that school “sticks in their mind”. This might be difficult for the consultant to redirect the parent in a placement, especially when they are “dead set” on the expectations not taken into account for the school's requirements for admission, dates for acceptance, and the number of other variables. We suggest you go directly to our school listing and read more about the schools enrolled in our program, not to mention the other details which the consultant will need to review with the parent. Parents call us to discuss more specific concerns; mostly about boarding school life, rather than a program. We do have knowledge of schools that have cultural arts and performing arts programs, which is the purpose of retaining a consultant.

Answer: Yes! This urgency by parents is very common after a student leaves a program. We would be happy to find a placement for your child. We need to discuss the school and when you would like to do the placement. We have found some parents who have students in a wilderness program are in a crisis and need our help immediately. We attempt to place the student in a school as quickly as possible to avoid any confusion about our services. We believe that when a parent asks us for information and takes the steps themselves without follow-up or polite call back, that this breaches our relationship with you. This simply is not a good way to do business. We will not work with parents who do this, and it is simply not a good relationship with which to begin. When parents are not honest with us, it is a breach of our contract agreement and we will probably not continue our relationship with you. So please be honest and fair in our business practice, which reflects the need to support our business and our clients.

Answer: Depends. We can provide for you a list of schools in your area, but this is not our purpose, because you are moving. We will meet you to address the concerns you have. This type of consultation might be for advice, not for direct placement. We can talk to you about finding a school based on your child's needs and our ability to discuss these options in a school placement. Many parents hire a consultant when they are unfamiliar with an area and need to find a school. Many parents are forced to relocate due to a job change, military duty or deployment. This can be very stressful. We help each family select a school when this happens. We of course always prefer to meet parents shortly after they have relocated.

Answer: Yes . We do follow-ups with ALL of our students. We make all attempts to arrange our tour dates around visiting students so we have regular contact with them. In many cases, we will see a student at the same time we visit a school. Simply because it allows us to work with the student and to see the program changes. Case management is often done with other students when more regular visits are required. We do address this in our contract and we use a healthcare model; however, the term dispute resolution is not one we use. We work with schools and parents in the follow-up and contact with parents. Not to resolve conflict, but to make sure follow-up is done. Case management of a client does require some additional time. Particularly with students who are on international placements. We need to visit them regularly to make sure they are adjusting. We call the school frequently and make sure reports are sent to a parent so they know the academic success of their student. We make monthly, if not weekly, calls to the schools to speak to a counselor and many times to the Director of the Program (since they are familiar with us) after the placement is completed. Parents can be reassured that this is part of our services. Home Visits: Home visits are rather common for most consultants. We find that parents really appreciate a consultant visiting them in their homes. They are more relaxed, in most cases. Particularly when a student is going to a boarding school. We can speak with both the parents and the students. Part of why parents hire a consultant to address their child's needs is to provide some contact with the family. We find that most parents feel more comfortable in a home setting. We can also fly to your city, country or anywhere we can work with you individually.

Answer: Always! This agreement is sent to you in a .pdf file that you can review using our online too! There is also a release of information with this agreement, and a clear description of our services, which we update. The agreement is normally for one year unless the student is placed in a school or program for a longer period of time. This is renewable after one year. Most placements last well over a year. This might require additional time by the consultant. All fees are discussed in the contract agreement before a signature is required.

Answer: Yes, of course. You must do this in writing no longer than (10 days) after the admission letter or acceptance has been received by the student from the school or program. A breach of the contract agreement is not refundable and is explained before entering this agreement. This means if a student or parent “pulls out" of a school, is expelled, is asked to leave the school, or if the parent removes the student without the consent of the school or discussion with the consultant there is no refund. When the student leaves the program involuntarily without the permission of the school or faculty and there no discussion between the parent and the consultant, this is non-refundable. The refund payment can be made by check or by direct deposit into your account to make this convenient and hassle-free. Please go to "Getting started" for more information on fees. We have never had an unsatisfied client in our entire practice request a refund or expressed dissatisfaction with our services.

Answer: Sometimes a parent may not pay the tuition at a school or program in a timely manner. This is a serious issue and can result in the school either withdrawing the student or holding the transcripts. Parents who do not pay tuition cause great harm to their children and their relationship with the school. We will work with you to help resolve this issue, but when a parent does not pay for the school tuition or fees, this is a very serious issue!

Answer: Most consultants are familiar with a battery of assessments used in therapeutic school placement . We are familiar with the MMPI Adolescent, the WISC, Beck Depression Scale, the Wood-Cock Johnson III, SASI, just to name a few. These assessments are varied and used by both educational consultants and psychologists, or other clinicians. This fee may vary with each professional, but generally a separate fee is given to a parent before the testing is administered by the school or the consultant. We do address this in the contract, or defer to the school or program when needed. This allows us to know your child and for us to know you better. Other educational testing or psychological testing may be requested by the consultant or school depending on the needs of the student and the family. Generally, most schools complete a full battery of tests at the time the student enters or is placed in a school, depending on the type of school and the setting. Boarding schools have separate testing for admission and some day schools have testing for admission.

Answer: Yes. Students with attention deficit hyperactivity or high-functioning autism—often referred to as Asperger's—are seen by our consultant, who may work in the placement of these students in a therapeutic school or program. While the placement of these students may vary, most parents will find their concerns about the type of school or services for these students will be addressed in the placement process. A consultant may vary working with these students. Concerns by parents usually involve seeking a recommendation from a teacher or a physician or addressing an IEP for these students in public school. Parents are increasingly more concerned these days about medication and its need for their children. Many times a consultant can help a family by working with the school or agency to develop an individual education plan. While some parents frequently call us regarding these issues, we can help them understand these matters or concerns serving as an advocate. We may help parents to address a legal concern for these students or we may find a better school setting. We do this by attending IEP meetings, which are required for special education students at the request of the family, often advising them or referring them to legal counsel when needed. Children with ADHD and Autism have a range of differences; no one child is the same. This disorder is not due to parenting skills, but may be linked genetically and biologically based on the chemistry of the child's brain. Some believe disorders are the result of childhood vaccines, but that has been disputed by the medical community.

Answer: We always check our messages. When you are attempting to reach us, use our toll free number. We have a seperate line where you can make an appointment or leave a message. Call us at our toll free number at 888-489-6669. Or you may call us at 623-332-4007. Thank you for reviewing our FAQ. Please email any questions you have to Educational Planning and Counseling Services. Please submit an email to educationalplanning@hotmail.com or kenneth.davis@educational-planning-and-counseling.org, or call us for any further information at 011 for international calls or locally 623-332-4007. The country code for the United States is 011.

Answer: Well, it depends. Most students who need to be in this setting have a good reason. Typically, a reason for this type of placement is that they are not successful in a regular school setting. Many students in a therapeutic setting are either failing, not attending, or unable to get along with other students or teachers. Yes, a therapeutic boarding school can be the better choice when some determination has been made by the consultant. However, selecting the right therapeutic boarding school takes time. This includes finding out the age of the student, the type of program it might be, the type of staffing, or the length of the program. Most students sent to a therapeutic school or program with challenges find that an educational consultant helps them find their way.

Answer: There is really no specific “best” college or school for all students. Most parents looking for the best schools are referring to colleges, and not schools with which they are unfamiliar. Thus, an individualized program for students with special needs might be different than a regular college student; or a student needing to learn English—different from a community college student. We have found parents who have a pre-determined idea that a specific school—like Harvard, Yale or Princeton—realize that many boarding schools will be the gateway to their child's career. Not all schools will fit the same student. A smaller school might work better for a student; for others, a larger school is fine. When you meet with us, we help you to make the best choice. Remember, choosing a school or program is an individual choice or option. Even if a parent has attended a college, it may not be the right school for their child. Most parents who have gone this route to choose a school for their child, may find that they have less success when the choice is based simply on a family tradition. In fact, most students who move in this direction drop out of school in the first year.

Answer: Answer: Depends. We do advise families, but we do not provide grants or scholarships. We do know about financial aid resources. We can help parents identify resources available. While we do offer information about financial aid at particular schools, we cannot negotiate tuition. Some schools will offer a reduction in tuition simply by hiring an educational consultant. We also review with families the financial aid needed before we help you make a decision. We cannot offer any certainty as to whether a family will receive a scholarship or reduction in tuition if they attend a specific school or program, but we do help families in this area.

Answer: Boarding schools have admission closing dates just like any private school. It generally takes a few months to gain acceptance into a school. Parents need to apply early to some schools and meet with a consultant to determine both the admission and closing dates of the school. Therapeutic boarding schools generally have an open admission policy and a student can be admitted throughout the year; depending on the number of students and the size of the program.

Answer: Fees for international students vary depending on the amount of work required by our consultant. Our normal fee is $500.00 per hour. This fee can go up depending on the amount of work required by our consultant. Normally, students outside the United States require more work in applying to a school or program. The process of working with an international family requires a significant and sometimes extensive amount of time by our consultant including documentation, application, and meeting the requirements for international students. When a family is in the US it's a bit easier but it does not mean it's any easier by any means to complete the application process. Sometimes families feel they can "come in the backdoor" and work and still be students but it's not true. International students of different ages are required to be full time and they must take the TOEFL to learn English. The requirement for secondary school students requires learning English to have proficiency in reading and writing. We will help the family in this process and work on admission to a school or program.

A violation of your student visa can result in deportation. This alone can result in legal fees beyond our control. International families need to understand this before we have any agreement. We allow 14 days for full payment. Currency rates do apply depending on the country and the exchange rate. Before sending any payment, please check with your banking institution and call us to address the routing of this payment. International students can be accepted in a boarding school or therapeutic program depending on the needs of the child. Our consultant works with the parent in those cases, not with family members who have no legal authority as it applies to paying for fees or a written agreement. Many times the consultant fees need to be discussed with the parent of the child, not with a family member and we can arrange this even when the family member does not speak English. We will explain our fees in detail before any placement decision is made.

Answer: An invoice will be sent to a parent or parent(s) for our services via email through Pay Pal. The voice will include the date, a description of the services, we provided and the date due. When needed an extension will be provided to parents to accommodate their individual needs. Our fees are explained in our agreement which is sent to each parent at the time of services.