About
Building Bridges is a therapeutic boarding school in Thompson Falls, Montana. It serves boys ages 14-18 and describes its work as focused on substance-use problems, behavioral concerns, family relationships, academics, and emotional health.
The school's listing with the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs describes Building Bridges as a full member, a for-profit program, and a Joint Commission-accredited therapeutic boarding school licensed through the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. The same listing names Kurt Fairbank as chief executive officer and gives a typical length of stay of 12 months.
Building Bridges presents its model as individualized and multidisciplinary, with individual, family, and group therapy combined with academic support. Its NATSAP entry states that academic work occurs through Building Bridges Academy and may include full-time enrollment in public school with peer support and extracurricular opportunities.
The program's staff page identifies Kurt Fairbank as director and lead therapist, Sarah Fairbank as academic director, and Andy Burwig as academic coordinator. A 2019 Missoulian report on Montana residential programs described earlier ownership and licensing history involving members of the Fairbank family.