Academic Accreditation and Therapeutic Certification

Elan School was recently awarded academic accreditation and therapeutic certification through June 30, 2014.  Below are some excerpts from the report submitted by Allan J Blau, Ed.D LCSW, Vice President of NIPSA.

During this visit I interviewed administration, clinical staff teaching staff, and a number of students who were randomly selected. I ate both lunch and dinner with the students, attended group sessions and sat in on academic classes. I also spent individual time unsupervised with six students who again I randomly selected. 

A computer lab complete with Apple laptops and a program that allows staff to monitor eight screens at a time has been installed and is in daily use.

Under the leadership of their new principal they have adopted The Northwest Academic Standards. The level of academic work is impressive.

All of the students I interviewed were happy at the school. They felt cared for and many talked of and referred to the school as their “family”. Not one student said that they hated it or even wanted to leave. I spoke with three who were turning 18 and they felt that they would be remaining until they were ready to leave. When I asked a student who had been there for over a year about the sparse almost monastic like living conditions he commented that it helped him to focus on himself and the work that he had to do, rather than the superficiality of surroundings and possessions.

I recommend that The Élan School have their accreditation and clinical certification extended for the full period allowed by NIPSA.