Traverse Academy: A Model for Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis

The adolescent mental health crisis in Colorado has reached a critical juncture, with suicide now tragically the leading cause of death among young people. Over the past decade, systemic challenges—such as reduced funding, shifting federal laws, and fluctuating insurance reimbursement rates—have exacerbated this crisis. The availability of day treatment mental health facilities for youth has significantly declined, leaving many adolescents in crisis waiting for care in emergency rooms or being prematurely sent back to their schools and families without adequate support.

Recognizing this growing issue, the Cherry Creek School District took decisive action. In 2019, after losing seven students to death by suicide in a single semester, district leaders sought to address the urgent need for accessible and effective mental health support. The outcome was Traverse Academy: the nation’s first district-owned and operated therapeutic mental health facility fully integrated into a PK-12 school system.

The statistics driving Traverse Academy’s creation are stark. According to the CDC, in 2023, 20% of high school students seriously considered suicide, 16% developed a plan, and 9% survived a suicide attempt. Within the Cherry Creek School District, the need for intervention was clear. Each year, the district placed between 50 and 100 students in external day treatment programs, at a cost of $1.25 to $3 million annually. As mental health facilities dwindled, students were frequently placed on waitlists, with as many as 15 unable to access immediate care. Traverse Academy was created to bridge this gap, offering comprehensive therapeutic services and academic programming at no cost to students or their families.

Traverse Academy serves students aged 10 to 18, providing a unique blend of educational and therapeutic support. A dedicated team of 22 educational staff members and six licensed mental health clinicians delivers nine hours of therapy per week, including individual, group, and family sessions, while maintaining a full academic curriculum. The facility’s thoughtful design, developed in collaboration with MOA ARCHITECTURE, intentionally destigmatizes mental health treatment, creating a welcoming and innovative environment that supports both healing and learning. Upon entering, students and families are greeted by a lobby that feels more like a cozy coffee shop than a clinical space, fostering comfort and belonging. Therapy home bases serve as inviting classrooms filled with natural light, comfortable seating, and adjacent therapy rooms equipped with adjustable LED lighting to suit individual needs.

For students preparing to return to their neighborhood schools, Traverse Academy offers dedicated transition classrooms that replicate traditional school environments, complete with lockers, while still providing access to therapeutic support. The academy also features innovation rooms where students can engage in hands-on, creative activities such as robotics, art projects, and science experiments. Recreational spaces further enhance the therapeutic environment, including a half-size gym with a climbing wall and a sport court that encourages physical activity to reduce stress and promote well-being. Outdoor spaces, including a labyrinth, garden areas, and amphitheater-style classrooms, offer opportunities for mindfulness, grounding practices, or simply enjoying the calming effects of nature. This carefully designed combination of therapeutic and educational environments ensures that students receive the care they need without falling behind academically.

In its first year, Traverse Academy served 50 students facing challenges such as suicidal thoughts and schizophrenia. Every student successfully completed the program, and follow-up reports from families underscore its transformative impact. Parents have expressed deep gratitude for the academy’s support, with one parent stating, “You helped salvage my son’s schooling and find a path forward during a dark time.” Students, too, have highlighted the academy’s welcoming and supportive atmosphere, with one classroom aide—an alumnus of the district—describing the facility as “a home where every small detail is cherished for the benefit of the kids.” Traverse Academy has not only saved lives but also demonstrated the effectiveness of combining mental health care and education in a supportive, stigma-free setting.

The Traverse Academy model offers a replicable solution for school districts nationwide. By integrating therapeutic and educational services under one roof, districts can eliminate the financial and logistical barriers often posed by external facilities and insurance requirements. For underserved communities, this model can be adapted through cost-effective strategies, such as repurposing existing buildings, applying for grants, and forming public-private partnerships. Traverse Academy has shown the viability of this approach, providing a scalable response to the youth mental health crisis. It stands as a model of what can be achieved when school districts, mental health professionals, and architects come together to prioritize student well-being.

The youth mental health crisis demands innovative and urgent solutions. Traverse Academy stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that school districts can play a pivotal role in addressing this critical need. By prioritizing mental health alongside education, districts can empower students and families to navigate challenges and build brighter futures. Traverse Academy’s success in its first year highlights the power of community collaboration and innovative thinking. It serves as a reminder that meaningful change is not only possible but necessary to save lives and create lasting impact.

As seen in Colorado Real Estate Journal.