By Stephen C. Schultz
Helping Families and Students Find the Right Level of Care
At Oxbow Academy, our goal is to help families, schools, and communities understand exactly what kind of support an adolescent needs—and for how long. We work with both neurodiverse and neurotypical students, providing individualized care that meets each student where they are developmentally and emotionally.
We also operate a specialized campus for latency-age students (ages 10–13), designed specifically for younger boys who need a smaller environment, additional structure, and age-appropriate therapeutic support.
Our evaluation and treatment process brings clarity, clinical accuracy, and peace of mind. Through structured assessment and real-world observation, we help determine whether a student needs continued residential care or can safely transition to a less restrictive environment. This approach not only supports long-term success but also ensures that families and referral partners use resources wisely.
A Comprehensive, Data-Informed Process
From the first day a student arrives, our team begins a structured evaluation period that focuses on understanding the whole person—emotionally, socially, and academically.
Students participate in a balanced schedule that includes:
Individual, group, and family therapy
A fully accredited academic program
Equine-assisted therapy and music classes
Daily routines that encourage accountability, structure, and self-regulation
Throughout this process, clinicians review data using the Residential Emotional Social Behavioral Assessment (RESBA)—a research-based tool that tracks emotional growth, behavior patterns, and progress toward goals.
Because treatment takes place in both therapeutic and academic settings, we can see how each student—whether neurodiverse or neurotypical—responds to challenges, relationships, and responsibilities. This gives our team and parents a much clearer picture of how a student is functioning and what type of care will help most.
Building Honesty and Trust Through Disclosure
Lasting change begins with honesty. At Oxbow Academy, the disclosure process helps students build trust by safely and gradually sharing the truth about their behaviors. This is done in a structured, supportive way—never with shame or punishment.
To ensure accuracy and reinforce honesty, we use a clinical polygraph as part of the therapeutic process. While this may sound intimidating at first, families often find it reassuring. The polygraph helps confirm that progress is genuine, which builds confidence in the treatment process and supports healthy family reunification.
Independent Evaluation for Objective Results
An important part of Oxbow’s process is that the final psychosexual evaluation is completed by a licensed psychologist who is not employed by Oxbow Academy.
Midway through the evaluation phase, parents receive a list of qualified, independent professionals and choose who will conduct the assessment. This structure removes any real or perceived conflict of interest and ensures that recommendations are unbiased and trustworthy.
Families and referral sources can feel confident that the results are based solely on the student’s needs.
A Defined and Efficient Timeline
Oxbow’s evaluation phase is typically completed within 90 days. During this time, our team gathers clinical assessments, family input, academic data, and behavioral observations to create a detailed report and treatment recommendation.
This defined timeline prevents treatment from stretching out unnecessarily while still giving each student enough time to stabilize, be accurately assessed, and begin meaningful progress.
The Academic Program: More Than Just School
Oxbow Academy’s academic program is fully accredited and designed to keep students on track toward graduation while addressing their emotional and behavioral needs.
Our program:
Supports IEP requirements and special education documentation, including Transition Plans for postsecondary readiness
Serves both neurodiverse and neurotypical learners with individualized academic supports and accommodations
Offers career and technical education (CTE) opportunities through hands-on agricultural and equine programs
Helps students build real-world job skills and confidence for life after treatment
Ensures full credit transfer and educational continuity through COGNIA accreditation and alignment with Utah State Board of Education and California A-G standards
We measure student growth using MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing, a nationally recognized tool that can’t be “studied for” or manipulated. On average, Oxbow students achieve over twice the national average in academic growth within a 10-month period.
Why This Matters
Oxbow Academy’s structured, transparent approach gives families the confidence that decisions about care are made for the right reasons—based on evidence, progress, and the student’s best interests.
Our process helps ensure:
The right level of care for the right amount of time
Clear and honest communication between clinicians, parents, and school districts
Greater trust in treatment outcomes
Academic stability and forward progress for each student—neurodiverse or neurotypical
Age-appropriate support for younger students through our latency-age campus
In Summary
Oxbow Academy’s evaluation process is built on honesty, data, and professional independence. By combining clinical integrity with accredited education, neurodiversity-informed supports, and family involvement, we help students move forward with confidence—and help parents know they’ve made the right choice.
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