| It can be difficult on all family members to have a | | | | academics, athletics, personal development |
| teen move to a boarding facility. As a result, | | | | courses, emotional growth sessions, and daily |
| many parents choose to take their troubled teen | | | | responsibilities and duties. |
| to an alternative school. In these day schools, the | | | | Christian boarding schools address the needs of |
| troubled teen stays in a highly structured school | | | | troubled teens using a Christian-based philosophy. |
| during the day and then returns home at night. | | | | There are also boarding schools that are do not |
| This may be a viable alternative for teens who | | | | identify themselves as Christian but still utilize the |
| are just beginning to spiral, but alternative day | | | | underlying values and principles of Judeo-Christian |
| schools are not appropriate for teens who have | | | | religions such as respect, honesty, hard work to |
| serious behavioral problems that are exacerbated | | | | help troubled teens. |
| by relationships with peers. Often, these teens will | | | | While military schools can help teens with mild |
| make progress during the day but slide back into | | | | problems or who need more discipline and |
| negative behaviors when they visit with friends in | | | | structure, they are not designed to provide help |
| the evenings. | | | | with serious problems. In fact, attending military |
| Because of this, many parents find that specialty | | | | school is often considered a privilege, and students |
| boarding schools are a better option. There are | | | | are usually required to have good grades and |
| many types of specialty boarding schools | | | | references before they will be admitted. Even if a |
| available, including Christian, military, and | | | | troubled teen is admitted, they typically fail to |
| therapeutic boarding schools. | | | | give him or her useful tools for change and |
| Regardless of the type, all specialty boarding | | | | emotional growth. |
| schools are highly structured facilities designed to | | | | Therapeutic boarding schools and treatment |
| help troubled teens who are struggling with | | | | programs are recommended for troubled teens |
| serious issues and who need round-the-clock | | | | who are considered extreme cases where |
| supervision. An average stay of three to six | | | | therapy is needed. These schools can cost more, |
| months, or even a year or more, is not | | | | but because they provided structure with a |
| uncommon to ensure a lasting change in behavior. | | | | therapeutic component, including group sessions, |
| Specialty boarding schools typically offer a variety | | | | individual therapy sessions, or a combination of |
| of programs to help troubled teens, including | | | | both, the results are usually better over time. |