When traditional schools aren’t working, what comes next? When “Ethan” arrived at Kindle Farm School, he had already experienced years of disruption in school. Suspensions were frequent, frustration came quickly, and staying in class for a full day was impossible. At home, his parents were exhausted and worried, fielding constant calls, wondering what would happen next, and fearing their child was running out of options. Like many students who come to Kindle Farm, Ethan wanted to succeed but didn’t yet have the tools or trust to ask for help before reaching a breaking point. Within a small, consistent classroom community that recognized his strengths, something began to change. With support from caring professionals, Ethan learned to recognize early signs of distress, take breaks before becoming overwhelmed, and return to learning with confidence.Over time, school became a place where he felt safe, capable, and understood.  Students like Ethan’s have shaped Kindle Farm School and the way it supports students who need more from their educational environment.  This year, Kindle Farm School, located in Newfane and Townshend, Vermont, celebrates 30 years of heart, hope, and possibility. Kindle Farm is a program of Health Care Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), a nonprofit community mental health agency, and part of the Vermont Care Partners (VCP) network, serving southeastern Vermont. Kindle Farm partners with more than 15 school districts across Vermont and New Hampshire, providing a trusted therapeutic day school for boys in grades 3-12, whose needs exceed the resources and expertise of their local school districts. Through an integrated general and special education model, Kindle Farm serves students with complex behavioral, emotional, and learning needs, ensuring access to education in the least restrictive environment (meaning as close to a typical school setting as possible) while upholding Vermont’s commitment to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). According to Drew Gradinger, Director of Kindle Farm School, “Over the past 30 years, we have had the privilege of supporting hundreds of boys and young men. Alongside them, we have continually refined best practices that help students navigate their educational and behavioral journeys. Our work centers on building the skills students need to move through the world with greater confidence, reduced stress, and a stronger sense of self.” Rebuilding Trust Through Relationships Many students arrive at Kindle Farm with a deeply diminished sense of trust: in schools, in educators, and often in themselves as learners. This erosion of confidence frequently follows years of struggle, even within specially designed programs. The school’s first and most essential task is to help students rediscover a sense of belonging through deep, caring relationships – the cornerstone of their community. Healthy therapeutic relationships are built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. When students feel heard, understood, and free from judgment, they are more willing to take risks, reflect on challenges, and engage in meaningful change. Emotional safety, created through consistent and caring adult relationships, is the foundation for lasting growth. The impact of this approach is best reflected in the growth of students over time. Many students arrive at Kindle Farm overwhelmed by frustration, struggling to remain in class, and unsure how to ask for help before reaching a breaking point. Through steady relationships, predictable routines, and explicit skill-building, students gradually learn to recognize early signs of distress, advocate for breaks and support, and return to learning independently.  A Key Element of Vermont’s System of Support In Vermont, Kindle Farm School is part of a statewide network of therapeutic schools within the Vermont Care Partners network, collaborating with designated mental health and developmental services agencies. Together, these schools provide specialized educational and therapeutic environments for students whose needs cannot be met in traditional classroom settings alone. “Meaningful intervention is not defined by cost alone, but by the quality, consistency, and depth of care that allows students — and systems — to change.”Drew Gradinger, Director of Kindle Farm School This statewide system plays a critical role in Vermont’s educational continuum. Through the offering of intensive, relationship-centered support within structured school environments, therapeutic schools help prevent more restrictive and costly placements, reduce disruptions to learning, and support students in remaining connected to their home communities whenever possible. Schools like Kindle Farm partner closely with families, school districts, and community providers to stabilize students, build essential skills, and support successful transitions back to less restrictive educational settings. Seen collectively, Vermont’s therapeutic schools represent a proactive investment in students with the highest needs, one that prioritizes early intervention, collaboration, and long-term outcomes for both students and the education system as a whole. Why Therapeutic Schools Matter Now More Than Ever As Vermont navigates complex educational and fiscal challenges, important conversations are unfolding about how best to support students with significant needs. At Kindle Farm School, our experience over the past 30 years has shown that meaningful intervention is not defined by cost alone, but by the quality, consistency, and depth of care provided. When students receive the right support at the right time, grounded in relationships, explicit skill-building, and emotional safety, lasting change follows. The growth we witness in our students extends beyond individual outcomes. When young people learn to regulate emotions, advocate for themselves, and reengage with learning, they return to their communities better equipped to succeed in less restrictive environments. This work strengthens not only students and families, but the broader educational system itself. As we look ahead, Kindle Farm School remains committed to doing what we have always done: meeting students where they are, investing deeply in their potential, and partnering with schools and districts to create pathways toward stability, growth, and long-term success. Founded in 1967, HCRS is a non-profit community mental health agency serving Vermonters in Windham and Windsor counties. HCRS serves over 4,000 individuals every year through its mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities programs. The Agency provides a wide range of social services that support optimal mental health and functioning. Visit www.hcrs.org for more information.  Join us on Facebook – Follow us on Instagram – Connect with us on LinkedIn. This article is part of a series, collaboratively produced by members of Vermont Care Partners, a statewide network of sixteen non-profit, community-based agencies providing mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability supports. Read the story on VTDigger here: Why therapeutic schools matter for Vermont. ...read more read less