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For years YIHS has successfully boarded students from the United States, Thailand, Mexico, Germany, France, Rwanda, South Korea, Pakistan, Colombia, and more. We know that taking the step to move to a new place and go to school takes a lot of courage. Our individual support, strong community, and emphasis on personal development help boarding students feel at home—far from home.
We believe that it is vital for our boarding students to have a caring, safe, supportive home life, so we place our students with host families. Our host families are deeply connected to the community and are able to help boarding students become involved.
Most of our host families live in town so students are able to walk to school, to local stores and restaurants, to the library, and to friends’ houses. Bustling with theater, art, music, small shops, great food, and loving, intentional community, Viroqua is a small town where children bike and walk around town and where neighbors know each other. As a diverse community of farmers, musicians, writers, outdoor explorers, artists, teachers, students, and more, we welcome and invite all new faces and voices.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule a visit.
We believe that it is vital for our boarding students to have a caring, safe, supportive home life, so we place our students with host families. Our host families are deeply connected to the community and are able to help boarding students become involved.
Most of our host families live in town so students are able to walk to school, to local stores and restaurants, to the library, and to friends’ houses. Bustling with theater, art, music, small shops, great food, and loving, intentional community, Viroqua is a small town where children bike and walk around town and where neighbors know each other. As a diverse community of farmers, musicians, writers, outdoor explorers, artists, teachers, students, and more, we welcome and invite all new faces and voices.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule a visit.
To view and begin our application, follow this link:
"I like being an international student at YIHS because it is a small school and I know everyone. The classes are fun and the teachers help me with my English. I think if you go to YIHS it helps you grow up. I love YIHS."
- Laura Alvarez
Laura Alvarez, from Juaraz, Mexico has been studying with us at YIHS for the 2012 - 2013 school year and has quickly become a part of the family, involved in home life, school, sports, and more.
"What do you get when you mix one lovely young lady from Mexico who speaks no English and the Grenier family that speaks no Spanish? A whole lot of fun and laughter! Laura joined our family in late Sept of 2012 and we have been enjoying getting to know each other over the past few months. Any student who is choosing to study abroad for an entire school year must have a certain level of flexibility and willingness to experience new things. Laura definitely fits that description! Just the other day she took to the ski slopes and spent the day mastering the bunny hill!
I would recommend highly to anyone to take the leap... it's priceless."
I would recommend highly to anyone to take the leap... it's priceless."
Support
We know that leaving home can be hard for students and parents. One of our greatest goals as a school is to provide unique and personal support for each and every student to help them in this process. Learn more about our Houses and Care Groups and how they help our students adjust and grow!
Our Houses
Our Houses—made of students and faculty—offer extra support and guidance for students at challenging times, provide an environment where every voice is heard, and act as lively arenas of debate and discussion over school policies, culture, and vision.
Care Group System
Our unique Care Group system also ensures that each students' needs are met and acts as a circle of support for each student as they chart their own path toward adulthood. A student's Care Group is intended to bring together a core group of individuals with important roles in the student's life. Each Care Group is composed of the student, a peer and mentor of their choice, a faculty House Leader, and parents. Care Group members meet as a group at key moments in the student's high school career, including times of trouble or when a student is in need of advice.
Care Group Support
Youth Initiative is a school that values community and holistic development. Our Houses—made of students and faculty—offer extra support and guidance for students at challenging times, provide an environment where every voice is heard, and act as lively arenas of debate and discussion over school policies, culture, and vision.
Our unique Care Group system also ensures that each students' needs are met and acts as a circle of support for each student as they chart their own path toward adulthood. A student's Care Group is intended to bring together a core group of individuals with important roles in the student's life. Each Care Group is composed of the student, a peer and mentor of their choice, a faculty House Leader, and parents. Care Group members meet as a group at key moments in the student's high school career, including times of trouble or when a student is in need of advice.
The Care Group also serves as a disciplinary body to establish clear boundaries and expectations for the student's behavior and academic work within the standards established by Youth Initiative.
Care Group meetings may be requested by any one of the members of the Care Group.
Personal Support
We also understand that boarding students are in a unique position as high school students away from home. In order to help ensure students are succeeding, comfortable with their host family and arrangement, and are adjusting to the school and life of this community, we offer weekly check-ins with a mentor at the school.
Our Houses
Our Houses—made of students and faculty—offer extra support and guidance for students at challenging times, provide an environment where every voice is heard, and act as lively arenas of debate and discussion over school policies, culture, and vision.
Care Group System
Our unique Care Group system also ensures that each students' needs are met and acts as a circle of support for each student as they chart their own path toward adulthood. A student's Care Group is intended to bring together a core group of individuals with important roles in the student's life. Each Care Group is composed of the student, a peer and mentor of their choice, a faculty House Leader, and parents. Care Group members meet as a group at key moments in the student's high school career, including times of trouble or when a student is in need of advice.
Care Group Support
Youth Initiative is a school that values community and holistic development. Our Houses—made of students and faculty—offer extra support and guidance for students at challenging times, provide an environment where every voice is heard, and act as lively arenas of debate and discussion over school policies, culture, and vision.
Our unique Care Group system also ensures that each students' needs are met and acts as a circle of support for each student as they chart their own path toward adulthood. A student's Care Group is intended to bring together a core group of individuals with important roles in the student's life. Each Care Group is composed of the student, a peer and mentor of their choice, a faculty House Leader, and parents. Care Group members meet as a group at key moments in the student's high school career, including times of trouble or when a student is in need of advice.
The Care Group also serves as a disciplinary body to establish clear boundaries and expectations for the student's behavior and academic work within the standards established by Youth Initiative.
Care Group meetings may be requested by any one of the members of the Care Group.
Personal Support
We also understand that boarding students are in a unique position as high school students away from home. In order to help ensure students are succeeding, comfortable with their host family and arrangement, and are adjusting to the school and life of this community, we offer weekly check-ins with a mentor at the school.
I like being an international student at YIHS because it is a small school and I know everyone. The classes are fun and the teachers help me with my English. I think if you go to YIHS it helps you grow up. I love YIHS.
- Laura Alvarez
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(needs more info and examples)
For years Youth Initiative has successfully boarded students from the United States, Thailand, Mexico, Germany, France, Rwanda, Korea, Colombia, and more. Our school places students with caring and engaged host families in our community and offers unique support through our Care Group system. As a diverse community of farmers, musicians, writers, outdoor explorers, artists, teachers, students, and more, we welcome and invite all new faces and voices. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule a visit. Personal Care for Those Far From HomeWe know that leaving home can be hard for students and parents. One of our greatest goals as a school is to provide unique and personal support for each and every student to help them in this process. Learn more about our Houses and Care Groups and how they help our students adjust and grow!
Our Houses—made of students and faculty—offer extra support and guidance for students at challenging times, provide an environment where every voice is heard, and act as lively arenas of debate and discussion over school policies, culture, and vision. Our unique Care Group system also ensures that each students' needs are met and acts as a circle of support for each student as they chart their own path toward adulthood. A student's Care Group is intended to bring together a core group of individuals with important roles in the student's life. Each Care Group is composed of the student, a peer and mentor of their choice, a faculty House Leader, and parents. Care Group members meet as a group at key moments in the student's high school career, including times of trouble or when a student is in need of advice. Boarding Program: Residential Life(needs more info and examples)
Boarding Students at Youth Initiative have loved their experience: their new friends, engaging classes, the gorgeous hills and valleys, the abundance of fresh local food, vibrant arts and theater, even school committee meetings. At YIHS there is never a lack of things to do or passions to pursue. As a boarding student at Youth Initiative, you will not only be a full voting member of the school, an integral part of the school culture, a contributor to committees, fundraising events, and social activities, but you will also gain a unique perspective on life in this beautiful region as you live with one of our welcoming host families. |
We also understand that boarding students are in a unique position as high school students away from home. In order to help ensure students are succeeding, comfortable with their host family and arrangement, and are adjusting to the school and life of this community, we offer weekly check-ins with a mentor at the school.
For the Love of Living Laura Alvarez (boarding student from Mexico) and Kate Buche-Pattison (particpant in our annual service trip to Guatemala)
Boarding Students at Youth Initiative tend to love a lot about the friends they make and their experience, from the robust learning community to the gorgeous hills and valleys, from an abundance of fresh local food to the vibrant arts, and from theater to committee meetings, there is never a lack of things to do or passions to pursue.
Youth Initiative High School has a Unique and Successful Approach to Higher Education Preparation and Acceptance.
Take a look and see how we do it. |
Host Families
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Our host families are active and caring members of this community and are committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable home for boarding students.
Our Host Families are wonderful folks. We know it, but we think you should too.
Check out some of the families who were excited to be hosts in 2013/2014 below.
These are just a few of the wonderful Host Families in our community. We hope this gives you a better sense of the families and community our Boarding Students are welcomed in to.
(needs more quotes from various people)
Our host families are active and caring members of this community and are committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable home for boarding students.
Our Host Families are wonderful folks. We know it, but we think you should too.
Check out some of the families who were excited to be hosts in 2013/2014 below.
These are just a few of the wonderful Host Families in our community. We hope this gives you a better sense of the families and community our Boarding Students are welcomed in to.
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Amy and Ron (and kids!)
Stats:
Other Kids: Yes! Maggie,14; Oarin,12; Nanuka, 5; Lyla, 3 Family Interests: We are all a bit crafty...painting, drawing, sewing, music and such. We like biking, camping, doing circus (silks, trapeze, etc.), soccer, and hanging out together at home or elsewhere. Favorite Quote: "To see the world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wildflower is to hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in a hour" -- William Blake Why excited to be a host family: We enjoy family and hosting someone is extending our family in a way. |
Kelly and David
Stats:
Other Kids: Kevin (17) is interested in soccer and environmental science and technology, theater, and music (he plays the cello). We have two other adult children who will not be living at home next year (we think). Erin who is 20 and lives in New York City and Caleb who is 22 will graduate from college this spring with a degree in Sport's Management. Family Interests: David and I share Kevin's interest in ecology and sustainability. We have a large garden and are planting a small orchard this spring. We are also huge fans of watching movies and have at least one movie night/ week. Favorite Quote: “What I stand for is what I stand on.” --Wendell Berry Why excited to be a host family: Our son Caleb had a fantastic experience at YIHS and we'd like to offer the same chance to students who don't live in the area. |
Drew and Geri (and kids!)
Stats:
Other Kids: Yes! Leo, 15; Ivy, 13; Sylvi, 9. Plus two dogs. Family Interests: Games, nature walks, photography, art, travel, hockey, soccer, gardening, camping Favorite Quote: "There's just no way of telling people they are all walking around shining like the sun." -- Thomas Merton Why excited to be a host family: Every person who enters our lives and our house is a new surprise, a conduit to the world, a revelation. We love to meet new people and learn new things about them and other parts of the world. |
“I love being a boarding student because every single family here is welcoming, caring, and very interested in their boarding student's life. I miss my family but when I see them I am overjoyed and treasure the time we have together. I have gained another family which means that my love and support system is now doubled. I know I will keep the connection I have built with my boarding family and continue to keep them in my life even when I am gone.” - Jasmine J.W., Boarding Student
“Laura Alvarez, from Juarez, Mexico has been studying with us at YIHS for the 2012 - 2013 school year and has quickly become a part of the family, involved in home life, school, sports, and more. What do you get when you mix one lovely young lady from Mexico who speaks no English and the Grenier family that speaks no Spanish? A whole lot of fun and laughter! Laura joined our family in late Sept of 2012 and we have been enjoying getting to know each other over the past few months. Any student who is choosing to study abroad for an entire school year must have a certain level of flexibility and willingness to experience new things. Laura definitely fits that description! Just the other day she took to the ski slopes and spent the day mastering the bunny hill! I would recommend highly to anyone to take the leap... it's priceless."
- Paula G. YIHS Host Parent
Want to Become a Host?
Boarding Program: A Day In The Life of Student
Take a look at our Daily Schedule and get a better feel for what it's like to be a student at Youth Initiative!
Every day at Youth Initiative is unique, whether it’s because there’s an All Student Meeting, a longer afternoon class to dive deeper into hands on electives or music lessons. Throughout the flow of our days, we strive to incorporate quiet contemplative times, physical activity and movement, hands on creativity and construction, and group collaboration.
An example of a typical day at Youth Initiative:
8:10 – 8:20
Morning Circle: community and school announcements
8:20 – 8:30 Guided Mindfulness Meditation: a practice which helps focus us all
8:35 – 10:25
Morning Block Lessons: with classes such as Foods and Nutrition, The History of Technology, Human Anatomy, Botany, Transcendentalism, and many others
10:30 – 11:20
Math and a weekly All Student Meeting: student Meetings allow the student body to discuss school policies, fundraising goals, issues amongst the student body, and other matters of concern for the well being of the school and student culture
11:25 – 12:15
Languages and Physical Education
12:15 – 1:00
Lunch: bring your own and enjoy it outside under a canopy of trees, or sign up for a delicious organic, local, vegetarian meal made by chefs next door at the elementary school
1:00 – 1:50
Varied Time: during this time we offer music lessons with classes like Rock Band and Guitar. We also sometimes have House Meetings or Student/Faculty Meetings to discuss the goings-on of the school in more detail.
1:55 – 2:45
Afternoon Art and Manual Arts Block: with classes such as Home Maintenance, Photography, Drawing and 2D Design, Agriculture, Wilderness Skills, the Spring Play, or Garment Construction
2:45 – 3:00
Cleaning Time: students gather together and collectively clean the school every day. Just one more way everyone pitches in to make things work.
After School Life
Whether it’s sports, music, student events, a Coffee Haus concert, Independent Studies, Committee Meetings, or just plain hanging out, our students’ days don’t end when the school day is over.
If you're excited about us, we would love to hear from you.
Follow this link and get in touch, apply, and begin your journey to adulthood with Youth Initiative!
add application link etc here...
Every day at Youth Initiative is unique, whether it’s because there’s an All Student Meeting, a longer afternoon class to dive deeper into hands on electives or music lessons. Throughout the flow of our days, we strive to incorporate quiet contemplative times, physical activity and movement, hands on creativity and construction, and group collaboration.
An example of a typical day at Youth Initiative:
8:10 – 8:20
Morning Circle: community and school announcements
8:20 – 8:30 Guided Mindfulness Meditation: a practice which helps focus us all
8:35 – 10:25
Morning Block Lessons: with classes such as Foods and Nutrition, The History of Technology, Human Anatomy, Botany, Transcendentalism, and many others
10:30 – 11:20
Math and a weekly All Student Meeting: student Meetings allow the student body to discuss school policies, fundraising goals, issues amongst the student body, and other matters of concern for the well being of the school and student culture
11:25 – 12:15
Languages and Physical Education
12:15 – 1:00
Lunch: bring your own and enjoy it outside under a canopy of trees, or sign up for a delicious organic, local, vegetarian meal made by chefs next door at the elementary school
1:00 – 1:50
Varied Time: during this time we offer music lessons with classes like Rock Band and Guitar. We also sometimes have House Meetings or Student/Faculty Meetings to discuss the goings-on of the school in more detail.
1:55 – 2:45
Afternoon Art and Manual Arts Block: with classes such as Home Maintenance, Photography, Drawing and 2D Design, Agriculture, Wilderness Skills, the Spring Play, or Garment Construction
2:45 – 3:00
Cleaning Time: students gather together and collectively clean the school every day. Just one more way everyone pitches in to make things work.
After School Life
Whether it’s sports, music, student events, a Coffee Haus concert, Independent Studies, Committee Meetings, or just plain hanging out, our students’ days don’t end when the school day is over.
If you're excited about us, we would love to hear from you.
Follow this link and get in touch, apply, and begin your journey to adulthood with Youth Initiative!
add application link etc here...
Youth Initiative High School has a Unique and Successful Approach to Higher Education Preparation and Acceptance.
Take a look and see how we do it.
Take a look and see how we do it.
International Students
Youth Initiative has been immensely enriched by the presence of boarding students from other parts of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan, Thailand, Grenada, Ecuador, Denmark, Rwanda, and South Korea. In addition, we’ve hosted exchange students from Germany, Italy, France, Israel, and more.
Youth Initiative students and faculty cultivate an environment where everyone can belong!
Youth Initiative students and faculty cultivate an environment where everyone can belong!
Our Boarding & Exchange Students come from all over the world.
