Educational Services

Natchez Trace Youth Academy is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education and DCS Education Division as a private, Title 1, Category 1 school. Our year-round education calendar provides students with the time and opportunities to find the right path for their individual successes. That’s why we offer multiple options for our students to get the kind of education that’s right for them and meets their particular intellectual and developmental needs. Our certified teachers and instructors are eager to provide students with the knowledge they need to be productive in society upon discharge.

We determine each student’s academic level by reviewing records, such as report cards, transcripts, and previous standardized test results. Students also take entrance and exit assessment to determine correct educational level placement and progress, using the Woodcock-Johnson measurement. Our education staff also administers the Career Scope test to identify any remaining transitional needs for the student. Any previous psycho-educational and psychological assessments are reviewed to highlight any possible classroom accommodations and eligibility for special education services.

ACADEMIC OFFERINGS

We make sure our students are equipped with the education they need to compete after treatment and to continue their studies in other academic settings. Our rigorous, diploma-track program consists of six hours of instruction per day to keep students on a path toward graduation. Students can take Tennessee’s TCAP and End-of-Course exams, prep for college exams like the ACT, or complete coursework for the GED test. We also offer special education for students with learning differences, with coursework that leads to a Special Education Diploma. All credits are transferable to other schools.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

Vocational Training provides an opportunity for success and achievement for students who find that a traditional classroom may not be the best way for them to learn. This program allows students to gain proficiency in a useful trade that can help propel them forward. Students focus on woodworking, horticulture, industrial painting, airbrushing, HVAC maintenance, small engine/auto repair, and business ethics and management. Depending on the student’s length of stay at Natchez Trace, they can also earn certifications, such as an Automotive Service Excellence (A.S.E.) certification, which can give them the ability to gain employability when they return to their communities. Our program has been an excellent alternative for students who may want a different path to education that may not include a four-year college degree.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Therapeutic Recreation: Students are led by a masters-level clinician through different types of activities to work through team building, trust and problem-solving. These one-hour sessions are held daily on weekdays and twice a day on weekends.

Skill Building: Regardless of whether a student is on an academic or vocational track, students participate in an Independent Living Life Skills class that focuses on the skills needed to live on one’s own, and how to find a job. This includes things like interview prep and résumé building. This class is held every weekday for one classroom period each semester.

Reach Out for Help

Our admissions staff is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. to schedule a no-cost, mental health assessment. Call 931-296-1183 to get started. For questions about our programs, you can also use our online contact form. In the case of a medical emergency or crisis, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.