About

Our Mission and Philosophy

Originally founded in 1970, Valley View has evolved to meet the needs of today’s youth while staying true to the values that shaped our early years: strong relationships, academic accountability, and therapeutic care that considers the whole student.

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive academic and therapeutic environment where boys can grow into the best version of themselves. We believe that meaningful change takes time, and that lasting progress happens best within a community built on consistency, respect, and accountability.

A group of young soccer players on a field, with one sitting on the ground giving a thumbs-up gesture. The players are wearing maroon and white jerseys, and there is a soccer goal in the background.
A boy in a black hoodie holding a large black chicken outdoors with a background of grass, autumn trees, and a beige shed.

A Place to Reset. A Path to Grow.

Valley View School is a therapeutic boarding school for boys in grades 6-10. Our students are bright and capable, yet many have struggled with anxiety, depression, ADHD, executive functioning, academic setbacks, or challenges in their relationships at home or with peers.

At Valley View School, boys step into a consistent environment where expectations are clear and encouragement is constant. Within this framework, they rediscover their strengths and reconnect with their potential. Accredited academics, clinical care, dorm life, the arts, athletics, and off-campus adventures combine to help boys regain balance and move forward on a healthier course.

Our Students
Two teenage boys with light skin smiling, with one having his arm around the other's shoulder, outdoors in a park with green trees in the background.
A boy lying on the floor of a library between bookshelves, reading a comic book.
A person wearing a white shirt and black apron is using a commercial stand mixer in a kitchen or bakery. The person is wearing a disposable glove on their right hand while operating the red stand mixer. On the table, there are baking supplies, including a yellow scoop, a box of baking powder or soda, and a milk carton.

What is a Therapeutic
Boarding School?

The phrase “therapeutic boarding school” can be misunderstood. At Valley View, it means the entire day is designed to encourage progress. This happens not only during therapy sessions but also in the classroom, in the dorms, on the athletic fields, and
through creative pursuits.

Therapeutic principles are woven into everyday routines. Students take part in individual, family, and group therapy, engage in extracurricular activities, and are guided by adults committed to their growth and well-being. This approach allows boys to heal while advancing academically and socially. By graduation, they carry greater confidence, practical skills, and a clearer sense of purpose and direction.

A Culture of Connection

At Valley View, meaningful change begins with relationships. From therapists and teachers to dorm staff, every adult on campus works to build authentic connections that boys can rely on.

Often, students arrive with low self-esteem or difficulty fostering meaningful relationships. For that reason, our staff focus first on creating stability and building rapport. Each conversation, class, and activity becomes a chance to guide, model, and encourage progress.

Meet Our Dedicated Team
Two boys standing outdoors, one holding a large fish. The boy in the foreground is smiling and displaying the fish, while the boy in the background holds a fishing rod and smiles. There are trees, a small pond or lake, and a building in the background.
A young boy in a light blue hoodie and beige pants sitting on a floral-patterned sofa with a black and white dog resting its head on his lap. The boy is smiling and petting the dog. There are large windows behind them showing an outdoor view with a red house, pumpkins, and flowers.

  • “My son is doing incredibly well! He seems to found his groove. He has a deep understanding of how his time at Valley View helped to save him. Thanks so much for all you did to help him!”


    Valley View School Parent

  • “I can never thank your team enough. You have changed the trajectory of my son’s life and of our whole family. You guys are the absolute best. We are forever grateful to VVS for all that you have done to help our son to be the best version possible of himself.”

    Valley View School Parent

  • “I can scarcely believe that it has been 18 years since I set foot at VVS and 16 years since I graduated. I went on to graduate from Emerson College and have lived in Boston ever since, working for the Boston Historical Society, The Freedom Trail Foundation and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. I am now preparing to return to school to pursue a Master’s in History. I would like to teach someday. Frankly, you deserve a medal for having put up with me for 2 and a half years, but I want you to know that I am grateful and think of you and the other VVS staff often. I can never thank you enough.”

    Valley View Alumni

A Setting that Encourages Growth and Learning

Set on 215 wooded acres in central Massachusetts, our campus includes:

  • Three dormitory buildings with 34 individual rooms

  • Two academic buildings with ten classrooms, a computer lab, creative learning lab, and dedicated music and art studios

  • A sports complex with a gym, athletic fields, tennis courts, and a weight room

  • A lake, open fields, and outdoor spaces for hiking, exploring, and just
    being a kid.

Our setting is designed to feel calm and restorative. Many students arrive stressed or overstimulated. Valley View gives them room to breathe, settle, and start fresh.

Discover Our Campus
A young boy in a blue Los Angeles Dodgers cap and blue sweatshirt stands in front of a brick wall, holding a fishing rod with a small fish he caught.
A young boy holding a colorful sign that says '100%,' giving a thumbs-up with a golden hand sculpture in the other hand, smiling in a classroom setting with windows in the background.