Kids Peace – Graham Lake Campus

About Therapeutic Boarding Schools in Maine

Maine Therapeutic Boarding Schools

While official Accreditation is not required, Approval or Recognition by the Maine Department of Education is mandatory. A private school must meet the attendance, health and safety standards as set out in the state regulations. Periodic review of nonpublic schools by the commissioner is necessary to maintain approval status.

All teachers and instructors must be approved by the commissioner, with the exception of those schools accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. A principals certificate is required for any chief administrator employed by a nonpublic school.

The curriculum for nonpublic schools must be approved by the commissioner and must include minimum performance standards and time requirements. It must include instruction in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, library instruction, math, science, art, drama, American and local history as well as social studies. A drug and alcohol awareness program must also be implemented. 

Students in nonpublic schools are entitled to the same health benefits as those attending public schools. This includes physician, nursing, dental and optometric services. Residential programs in the state of Maine are regulated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services at https://maine.gov/dhhs which can be reached at 1-207-287-3707. The Attorney General in Maine is found in the Maine Office of the Attorney General at https://maine.gov/ag which can be reached at 1-207-626-8800. The department that regulates education in Maine is the Maine Department of Education at https://maine.gov/doe which can be reached at 1-207-624-6600. The five largest cities in Maine are Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland, and Auburn.