Huntsman Mental Health Institute Earns Accreditation for On-Site School

New COGNIA system accreditation allows students to earn high school diplomas during treatment.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Huntsman Mental Health Institute's on-site school, University Academy, has earned COGNIA system accreditation, an accomplishment that normally takes two years but was completed in just seven months. This designation allows students receiving intermediate services such as day treatment and residential treatment to now earn a high school diploma through University Academy, ensuring academic progress while receiving therapeutic care.

Why it matters

Very few mental health treatment programs have an on-site school, making the Huntsman Mental Health Institute's approach both rare and invaluable. The collaborative model helps ensure students maintain academic progress while receiving therapeutic care, removing one of the most common obstacles families face when considering treatment.

The details

At University Academy, credentialed teachers work closely with students' home schools by communicating regularly with classroom teachers and counselors. By understanding each student's curriculum, educators foster a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment tailored to individual needs. This helps students avoid the unnecessary stress of catching up later and work through academic barriers tied to their emotional difficulties in a highly supportive and therapeutic environment.

  • In October 2025, Huntsman Mental Health Institute's onsite school, University Academy, earned higher accreditation, achieving COGNIA system accreditation.
  • This designation was completed in just seven months, a process that normally takes two years.

The players

University Academy

The on-site school for youth receiving treatment at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.

Crisjon Solano, M.ED

The principal of University Academy.

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What they’re saying

“When students are able to continue to engage in their academic curriculum during treatment, they avoid the unnecessary stress of catching up later. Also, students are able to work through the academic barriers they typically experience at school—barriers that are often tied to their emotional difficulties—in a highly supportive and therapeutic environment.”

— Crisjon Solano, M.ED, Principal of University Academy (utah.edu)

“For parents exploring mental health treatment options, it's important to look for programs that integrate structured academic support. University Academy ensures students enrolled in day treatment or residential treatment receive both therapeutic care and high-quality education, helping them return to school confidently and without academic setbacks.”

— Crisjon Solano, M.ED, Principal of University Academy (utah.edu)

The takeaway

The Huntsman Mental Health Institute's on-site school, University Academy, provides a rare and invaluable approach by ensuring students can continue their education while receiving therapeutic care. The new COGNIA system accreditation allows students to earn high school diplomas during treatment, removing a major obstacle for families considering mental health services.