The academic program at Pine River is a combination of the traditional classroom, credit recovery, experiential education, wilderness experience, supported distance education (through correspondence& virtual schools) and individual tutoring. Academics at Pine River are designed to take advantage of the unique nature of our school, emphasizing Outdoor Education in our ‘200 acre classroom’ and a distinct curriculum that is brought to life through the arts, healthy living, life-skills and experiential education. Students usually spend their first 4 weeks in Algonquin Park with a small group of students and staff, earning an Outdoor Physical Education (PAD30) credit. They usually spend the remainder of their stay at the Shelburne Campus.

A personal education plan is developed for each student based on individual academic needs. Each student’s past educational achievement is reviewed to design a tailored academic program. Credit recovery is our primary goal. Distance education is supported in the classroom for students to earn academic credits, so that students can complete credits regardless of the length of their stay at Pine River. Ongoing academic counseling supports students to earn credits while at Pine River and to successfully integrate into future academic pursuits when they leave.

Therapeutic and academic focuses are defining threads which are woven through the tapestry of all areas of the program. Maximizing educational opportunity is a theme for therapeutic interventions. Every moment of the day has the potential to be therapeutically and educationally relevant, whether it be in the academic classroom, individual therapy, daily groups, daily living experiences, recreational experiences, wilderness experiences, or incidental contact with staff or other students. At Pine River we focus on the life principles of Courage, Respect, Integrity, Compassion, and Accountability, supporting and encouraging each student in understanding and integrating these principles into daily life.