The answers below address common concerns of families considering therapeutic boarding schools.

Who should attend a boarding school for troubled teens?

The notion of “troubled” is of course subjective and includes a wide range of behaviors and feelings. Some teens are troubled but merely lack discipline and focus. These students are not appropriate candidates for residential treatment centers; they would be better served by traditional military academies and boarding schools. Programs for troubled youth are targeted at those with more severe acting-out behaviors.

Many troubled students enroll in boarding school during their junior year of high school. Their families aim to improve the student’s academic record and emotional preparedness for college in time for the college application process. Many boarding schools offer customized lessons that fill in the gaps in students’ academic transcripts. They also feature extensive college counseling and standardized test preparation assistance.

How are boarding schools for troubled teens different from military schools?

Boarding schools for troubled teens differ from traditional military schools because they include therapeutic components. Thus teens are able to simultaneously improve their grades and outgrow their problem behaviors. Many therapeutic boarding schools even specialize in learning disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD. Teens with more severe issues such as substance abuse problems and oppositional defiant disorders can also be treated in specialized boarding schools.

How much does boarding school cost?

A Christian boarding school for troubled teens is not cheap: room, board, schooling, and therapy typically form a combined monthly bill of $3500 to $7500. Although this price tag may be staggering, financial aid may be available. Furthermore, considering that residential schools may profoundly impact a troubled teen’s life, they may be well worth the investment.

There are many different types of schools for teens with behavioral problems. For kids that have had difficulty paying attention in class or picking the right friends, some public schools will have correctional programs. However, if the student has been suspended, expelled or in trouble with the law, outsourcing schooling to an alternative school may be necessary. Most alternative schools have credit recovery programs that allow students to graduate on time in a positively reinforced environment.

For students who require a more intense level of correction, boarding school for troubled teens may be a good option. A boarding school for troubled teens can be located all over the world, and are usually segregated by sexes. Students live on campus and are monitored twenty-four hours a day, eating all of their meals together and going to school together. Students are usually allowed to come home on holidays and special occasions.

Some parents prefer military school for troubled teens or for particularly unruly kids. While it is a harsh environment for the teenagers to live in, it is often the very measure that turns a troubled teen around and puts them on the right track. In military school, students do go to school, though there is much physical interaction and strenuous activity that is mixed in to everyday life. Military officers often wake students up in the wee hours of the morning to go run in the rain, make them hike long distances, and give them a limited amount of time to eat their meals. While it may seem like a difficult environment to live in, military school has a high success rate of giving teens a second chance to start living their life with discipline and morals.

Many parents have troubled teens. It is not always necessarily the fault of the parents or anyone else that a student is having behavioral issues. However, there are steps that a parent can take to avoid a more unruly future with the teen. While boarding school for troubled teens, military school, or correctional programs may not be right for every parent, they are certainly a viable source of correction and discipline for those with troubled teens.

While providing a comprehensive scholastic curriculum, the focus of the therapeutic boarding high schools is on healing and correcting emotional behaviors. However, while previous poor scholastic performance is not a deterrent to admissions, students are strongly encouraged to possess a basic functionality in a classroom setting and a desire to accomplish the tasks presented. Because of the specialized environment, most therapeutic schools operate on a year-round basis with rolling admissions to best accommodate the needs of new and continuing students.

Therapeutic boarding schools are located across the country in a variety of urban and rural settings, including Utah, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Oregon. However, as with any search to do with a child’s education, nothing replaces either an informed telephone call or in-person meeting when deciding if the needs of one’s child match what a particular therapeutic boarding school has to offer. Most reputable schools will have a website with a basic overview of the programs and curriculum the school offers.

The Aspen Education group is an excellent resource in beginning one’s search. The Aspen Education group’s website has access and information about numerous facilities in different geographical locations, providing a quick and efficient way to familiarize oneself with available options. Their webpage is http://www.aspeneducation.com/Res-schools.html.

Additionally, NATSAP, or the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, offer an excellent overview of the current state of therapeutic boarding schools, and have a comprehensive page of links and referrals, not only to schools themselves, but also to support groups and research centers. To take full advantage of NATSAP’s resources, one should be a member of the organization. Visit their website http://www.natsap.org/ for more details on how to join.

As with any major life decision, finding and choosing the appropriate therapeutic boarding school for one’s child is a decision that should be handled with care. Ultimately, one’s child will benefit from the specialized therapeutic healing, and become a better student and a happier person.

Temporary Types of Programs for Troubled Teens

Many teenagers have difficulty adjusting to new responsibilities and perceived expectations.  They may turn to drug abuse or become unproductive and fail at school from lack of confidence.  Finding a program that helps renew their self esteem could make the difference.  Getting involved in community service, helping the elderly or handicapped or caring for younger children or animals renews a sense of self worth.  For teenagers with an interest in music or the arts, a program that enhances their talents could change their focus and give them a new goal. Other young people may find comfort in the outdoors and will grow into responsible adulthood after attending wilderness camps.

For young teenagers, spending a week or two at a summer camp may break the pattern of bad behavior.  Maybe just being away from Mom and Dad and other family members will help the teenager mature and gain a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. Summer camps provide plenty of both physical and cultural activities and a chance to interact with other young people.

Long Term Program for Troubled Teens

For teens that seem to be continually falling in the wrong direction, it may be necessary to enroll them in a six month or year long program away from home.  Boarding schools that specialize in helping troubled teens provide a 24 hour method of both supervision and constructive programs.  Some teenagers respond well to military schools or private academies and graduate with goals and career objectives.

Across the U.S. and abroad, a variety programs for troubled teenagers offer parents an opportunity to regroup and restore family harmony.  It may be a difficult decision to enforce a program for a troubled teen, particularly on a long term basis.  But troubled behavior including drug abuse, gang activities and unmanaged anger may ruin the teenager’s chance for a bright future.

When your child enters their teenage years, the most trying times of your parental experience is about to begin. As your child is exposed to a wide variety of different opinions and ideas in middle and high school, and meet new and interesting people, they become more and more apt to challenge authority and begin a period of rebelliousness. If your teen has fallen in with a bad crowd, or has begun experimenting with drugs and/or alcohol, this can be an especially rough time for your family, and the new rebellious streak in your teen might have them doing things contrary to your wishes and flat out refusing to listen to or even obey you. Boot camp for juvenile delinquents will teach your teen to respect authority figures, including you, their parents. The boot camp is often the wakeup call that your teen will need to realize that you have far more experience in life than they, and have had to deal with the same experience of being a teenager as they have. Though you still may differ on life philosophies, they will respect your opinions and listen to your advice after they have been through their first juvenile boot camp.

A boot camp for juvenile offenders will subject your teen to a strict daily regimen of drills, physical and mental exercises, and training that will instill your teenager with respect and an understanding of responsibility. Many teenagers are lacking in these qualities, and with the way American culture has evolved they are required for any modicum of success in this great country. Remember, teenagers are on the cusp of entering the world of adulthood, and if you allow your teen to set out on their own without being properly prepared, then they are almost doomed from the outset.

One important issue to consider is the cause of the incarceration, which is often drug abuse.

Each case is different.  In extreme cases, judges may have to choose between sending a young man to jail or boot camp.  Even though the relapse rate is high (over 90%), it’s far better for most young men and women to attend a mandatory boot camp than having to face the horrors of jail.

The personnel that run the boot camps are of utmost importance; if the men or women in charge aren’t dedicated professionals, the chances of long-term behavioral improvement are not encouraging.

Being outside and undergoing rigorous physical exercise on a regular basis is far preferable for most youngsters compared to sitting in a jail cell with inmates who are dangerous and beyond help.  And boot camps combine the exercise with schooling, which is beneficial.

Boot camps differ dramatically in personnel and goals for the teenage boys and girls who are having serious problems adjusting to adulthood.  The basic concept of uncompromising discipline isn’t perfect, but it’s preferable to sending kids to jail when there is still a chance to turn them into productive citizens.

Boot camps aren’t going to work for all teens.  In some cases, young people will become more opposed to discipline and authority and come out worse than they go in.  But some of them will improve dramatically; when they hook up with a disciplinarian who has their best interests at heart, major progress can be made.

In extreme cases, it’s close to the end of the line.  When a judge has to choose between sending a young man or woman to jail or boot camp, the latter is far preferable in most cases.

Usually it’s the incarcerated youngsters who will determine whether the boot camp is a success or not.  If drugs are the problem, the kids will be off them while they are going through the equivalent of basic training.  It gives them a chance to consider their alternatives.  Some will choose the high road and others will take the low road that leads to an unhappy life at best and prison at worst.

Boot camps may be a last chance, but that’s better than no chance at all.

A troubled teen can quickly turn into a troubled adult if nothing is done to remedy the situation.  Many parents do not have the knowledge to deal with a teen that is having problems, and this is where outside help can truly be a lifesaver.

When it comes to a home for troubled teens, you may want to personally visit the home, before you make a decision.  This will help you understand where your teen will be living, and what the living conditions are like.  You will also have a chance to meet the staff, and find out what the program is like.

If you have a friend or family member that has gone through problems with their teen, you may want to find out if they used a particular resource and what their opinion is.  You will also want to find out if the program helped the teen long term.

At any home for troubled teens, there should be a very friendly and knowledgeable staff that will be able to quickly address any questions or concerns you may be experiencing.  You may want to schedule a meeting to find out more, and it may be a good idea to write down questions you may have as they come up, and then you will ensure that you will get all of them answered.

You may want to find out when visiting hours are, and how often you will be able to visit your teen.  Most programs require an initial period when you cannot talk to, or visit your teen while they become me oriented with the program.  This should not cause alarm, and this is very common with most programs.

Christian Homes for troubled teens may be the answer you have been looking for.  If you feel as though you have nowhere to turn, it is important to keep looking until you find the answers you have been looking for.

How does a specialty boarding school differ from traditional boarding high schools?

Whereas traditional private boarding schools might focus exclusively on academics, specialty boarding schools in the USA address the whole student. College preparatory classes are combined with behavior modification programs, character-building courses, and individual or group therapy. Students learn to contribute positively to their community and to direct their energies toward personal growth.

Are most specialty boarding schools the same?

Behavior modification schools vary widely. Parents should consider a wide variety of schools and, if possible, involve their teen in the selection process. Examples of how schools differ include: being single-sex versus co-ed; using military-style discipline versus having a more permissive environment; and emphasizing religious versus secular values. Families should also consider the distance between the school and the student’s home. Family therapy conducted at the school will require frequent commutes.

Do students receive individualized programs?

Students are assessed in-depth at the time of admission. Each student is assigned a multidisciplinary team of specialists who determine a unique treatment plan.

Why are family’s part of student therapy?

Specialty boarding schools recognize that students misbehave within certain environments. Thus, it is important to improve the family environment while the student works on personal development. The student’s therapy generally involves weekly sessions with the family and a psychologist. As parent-student relationships improve, students may be granted telephone time with their families or passes to spend weekends at home.

How much do specialty boarding schools cost?

Boarding schools are expensive when compared with free public schools and even exclusive private schools. Tuition, housing, meals, and therapy typically cost between $2000 and $6000 per month. Scholarships are rarely available, but parents can obtain educational loans through organizations such as PrepGATE and SalleMae.

There are boot camps that are actually completely free, and they are all state run and funded. These are only available for teens that are already in the juvenile system, and have no other options. Troubled teens themselves will sometimes look for boot camps, trying to find help for what they think is their trouble. To be placed in a boot camp, a teen has to be placed there by a judge, but private programs are available. These programs are not necessarily boot camps, but are behavioral programs through boarding schools such as military schools.

Short term placements in a troubled teen boot camp are considered wilderness programs, and are known to be short programs that rarely offer long term results. Long term boarding at a summer boot camp for troubled teens offer structure, security, behavioral adjustments as well as psychological help for those who request it or are ordered it.

A boot camp is a strict and very structured place that includes staff that appears to run daily activities much like military training instructors. These boot camps are normally state run correctional institutes, and teens are sentenced to these places by judges as a last resort before going into the correctional system. These boot camps are an option for teens in the criminal justice system, but there are also boot camps for teens that are defiant and refuse the boot camp.

There are other troubled teen boot camps that require no judge’s orders, but parents are able to sign their children in for a short term camp. These are normally used for teens that are experiencing their first time in trouble with the law, and parents are trying to scare them straight. These smaller camps offer behavioral modification exercises, and an upfront approach about the behaviors that got them into trouble.

Many troubled teens make lasting friendships with the ‘drill instructors’ at their boot camps, because more times than not, the experience  changes the teen’s outlook and perspective permanently. These relationships help to strengthen the bond between parent and child, as well as help open up the lines of communication.

Teens with problems cannot benefit from the usual offerings of traditional summer programs.  Qualified counselors and instructors will give all participants close attention in camps and will target the issues with troubled teenagers.  The counselors will be working with small groups of teens to offer them a sense of importance and not being lost in the crowd.  The camps have positive role models for teenagers that are coping with learning problems, ADHD, and conflict resolution issues.  Teenagers will be given the tools in order to manage their problems in new and non-destructive means.  They will experience working and living in an environment that is positive, challenging, and fun.

During summer camps for troubled teens, opportunities will be given to make decisions based on gaining positive results.  Lifestyles have become too busy and complicated with little time spent managing problems and finding resolutions.  These troubled teen programs are monitored with highly trained staff members that will address negative behavior and help diffuse situations.  Troubled teens have a negative impact on every member in their family.  A summer spent in therapy with a different setting will afford the time needed to get away from the problems and see issues in a different perspective.

Most summer troubled teens program are wonderful opportunities for personal growth.  Teenagers can become self-reliant and better able to cope with their problems.  Through summer camp counseling services teens and families will reunite with a better attitude and armed with different conflict resolution skills.  Tough times take alternate means of saving troubled teens from disastrous events.