Valuing Adventure: Reflections on our International Trip to Portugal
As a therapist, I find myself thinking a lot about values: Our students’ values, Black Mountain Academy’s core values, my own personal values, etc. I have a collection of “values cards” that I will sometimes use with students to help them identify the values that are most important to them. We will discuss ways that […]
Enriching Students’ Lives Through Daily Community Engagement
At Black Mountain Academy, we believe that education goes beyond the classroom. Our unique approach to education focuses on the power of students engaging in the community every day, transforming them into responsible, empathetic, and well-rounded individuals. Through daily community involvement, we empower our students to grow in ways that extend far beyond academics. First […]
The Therapeutic Impact of Music and the Arts
Music and the arts are an integral part of our students’ daily lives. If you visit our campus, you’ll often see our students with headphones on, listening to their Mighty MP3 players while relaxing, playing basketball, or even walking around Lake Tomahawk. You might catch them music-making during music class, practicing an instrument after school, […]
Reflecting on 5 Years of Helping Families
This week marks the 5th year since Black Mountain Academy opened to serve neurodiverse high school students with an emphasis upon intentional daily engagement in our local vibrant community. Over the last 5 years, we have had the opportunity to serve a lot of wonderful young people and families, expand our school and program, and […]
Black Mountain Academy Celebrates 3rd Anniversary
IT’S OFFICIAL! Black Mountain Academy is 3 years old! We are so thankful for all of the love and support we have received from the wonderful town of Black Mountain and all of our community partners that create jobs and internships for our students. We remain thankful for all of our colleagues within the field […]
Happy National Dog Day from Black Mountain Academy
While the old adage that “dogs are mans best friend” might hold true in general, it holds particularly true for for students on the autism spectrum. With today being National Dog Day, we wanted to express our gratitude to our four-legged staff members who love on our students even during their tough moments. We are […]
Why We Choose to Do Life “Shoulder-to-Shoulder” with Our Students
When most people think about the model for traditional “talk therapy”, they often picture the therapist sitting across from their client in a formal office setting. While many individuals who have participated in this traditional model of therapy report experiencing positive benefits over time, research has consistently indicated that adolescents who struggle with a neurodevelopmental […]
The Kindness Diaries
Leon Logothetis is a global adventurer, motivational speaker, philanthropist, and author of the bestselling memoir The Kindness Diaries. He gave up his job as a broker and his home in London for a life on the road. Leon has now visited more than 100 countries and traveled to every continent. He is the host of […]
Tools for Forging a New Path: Tips on Navigating the Transition from Wilderness to Boarding School
Transitioning from a wilderness therapy program into a specialized boarding school is jarring for students and for seasoned wilderness professionals alike. Years of trekking through the woods was only the start to my journey, as is the same for many students who graduate from wilderness programs prior to coming to Black Mountain Academy. Given that […]
Reflections on Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A Force of Good in the World through Service & Action
As I reflect on the amazing role Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. played in our history, I ponder how to capture the wisdom, tenacity, and hope he inspires in my life. In writing this reflection, I hesitate as I know that doing so quickly becomes one dimensional. The influence Dr. King had on our […]