Some people wonder if there are any boot camps that are accredited? In order to answer the question, it is important to define what accreditation really means. What people may really be asking is how they can verify the validity and safety of a boot camp. The term accreditation is typically associated with the academic credentials of the boot camp or program. If a parent were to call a program and ask if they were accredited, they could say yes, if they had accredited school work. A better line of questioning could be associated with any legal problems the boot camp may have had.

Allegations of Boot Camp Abuse

To fully understand the problems some boot camps and boarding schools have, it is important to understand some basic terminology. If a boot camp or boarding school has had “allegations” of abuse, that may or may not be a serious problem. The reason for this is, any student can make allegations against any program or staff member. The allegations may or may not be true. The difficulty lies in the credibility of the accuser. Many teens in boot camps and boarding schools have made false allegations against their parents prior to being placed in a program. Some students are actually placed in a boot camp because of the false allegations they have made against their parents. In summary, just because a boot camp may have had allegations against it, does not necessarily mean it is bad. The best way to determine if a program is good or not, is to visit the program. Parents can also speak with local law enforcement officials to see if the program has actually been convicted of anything illegal.

What is Your Motivation?

Another important factor to take into consideration is the motivation behind the person being questioned. Some programs and boot camps are targeted by the state they are in, because they create extra work for the state employees that oversee them. A government employee makes the same amount of money if they oversee 20 programs as they do if they oversee 18 programs. They really have no incentive to assist a program or boot camp, in fact, the opposite may be true. The same principle applies to police and other law enforcement agencies. If they are asked to help look for a run away teen from a program or investigate a fight at a program, they can soon develop a negative opinion for the program or boot camp. Their motivation may be similar to other government employees, if the boot camp creates more work for them they may say that it is not a good program.

Summary

In summary it is unfair to say that all government employees are self serving and lazy.  It is also unfair to say that all boot camps and programs are bad. There are some great government employees that are sincerely interested in the youth they are responsible for. There are also some very good programs that are sincerely interested in the youth they care for. The difficulty a parents faces is, trying to find a quality program and a safe environment for their child. We are happy to help, give us a call.

My 18 year old is acting out and it doesn’t look like he is going to graduate from high school. Parents call many times looking for help for older teens 17, or even 18 years of age. The problem with a teen that is 17 almost 18, is the fact that they know they can not be forced to stay past their 18th birthday. This means that for an 18 year old they must be “willing” to stay in any program or boot camp they are enrolled in. The best way to help a defiant teen or an at risk youth, is to get help as early as possible. The older the teen gets the more difficult and less effective a program might be.

Summer School Drama

When we speak of summer school drama we are not referring to a drama class taken during the summer time. Summer school drama in this case, refers to the drama parents go through trying to get their teen to attend summer school. When teen’s do poorly in school during the regular school year many times they are asked to attend summer school to finish work they didn’t finish during the school. This is a difficult event for parents to enforce. The teen who probably hates school to begin with, is less than excited about the prospect of attending school during their summer vacation.

My Teen is Refusing to go to Summer School, Now What?

When a teen is being required to attend summer school to catch up with the remainder of their class in school they may refuse to go. This puts parents in the position of trying to figure out what to do with the teen. There are some programs, boot camps, and boarding schools that will accept a teen for a few months during the summer. These types of schools are residential, and they have much better luck getting the youngster caught up in school. This is because a boarding school or boot camp is in control of the teen 24-7, making it much more difficult for the teen to skip school and not do their assignments. If a parent decides to enroll a teen in a program for the summer, it is a good idea to keep the intended length of stay from the teen. This will make the program much more effective, and will usually produce much better results. If you teen is refusing to go to school give us a call we can help.

Teens That Are Doing Okay in School but Need Supervision for the Summer

Another category of teens, are those who are doing okay in school, but are defiant and headed for trouble. When both parents work it is difficult to keep an eye on their teen and give them the additional supervision they need. This can make a summer program in a boot camp or boarding school a great option. The teen will be supervised closely, they will be instructed on how to behave, and receive some type of substance abuse training. This is a great way to not only have the teen supervised, but have the teen get the additional help they need.

Some state have help for parents that have adopted children. There are certain criteria that needs to be met to qualify, but it is worth a little effort doing the research. The reason for the assistance may be the predicament parents find themselves in when the little one they adopt enters their teen years and begins to display defiant behavior. Some children are adopted from parents that are heavy drug abusers. The effects of drug abuse on children is certain, some cases are more extreme than others. Adoption is a very great way for parents that are unable to reproduce to have a family. Once adopted the child is loved the same as it would be if it were biological. Parents that adopt are not only saving a child, but allowing the become parents. It is good to know that some states provide help for families of troubled adopted children as they grow older.

California Aid For Adopted Girls

If a girl is adopted from the state of California, and begins to have trouble there is a great program that can help. To qualify the girl must be adopted through the state of California, and not from a private adoption service. Help may be available when the girl reaches the age of 11 until she reaches the age of 18. We would be happy to assist a family with a troubled teen girl meeting this criteria. Please give us a call 800 781 8081. This opportunity could save a family thousands of dollars they may need to spend finding help for their daughter.

California Adopted Boys Help

California has a program that will assist parents when they have an adopted son that is heading down a negative path. The boy needs to be adopted through the state and not a private adoption agency to take advantage of this opportunity. There are some very good programs available for an adopted boy to be enrolled in. If you have an adopted son from California give us a call.

Aetna Insurance Help for Troubled Teens

There is another option we have to assist parents struggling with a troubled teen. This option is available for children that are covered with an Aetna PPO insurance plan. If you are struggling with a defiant troubled teen and you have Aetna Insurance please give us a call we can help. 800 781 8081. It is very difficult and expensive to find help for a teen that is heading in a negative direction. We understand the problem thoroughly and we will use the resources we have to assist your family.

Many students end up graduating from school with a degree that has the potential to generate a significant amount of income. The problem is they have to pay back all of the education loans they have accrued along the way. Some students end up owing in the hundred’s of thousands of dollars in education loans. This is a pretty deep hole to dig out for a college graduate. It can take many years for the students to repay these loans. They usually have a very low, or no interest rate, which makes the pill a little easier to swallow, but still the money has to be paid back. The education loans have been deeply affected by the recent economic conditions, some education loans vehicles have been totally dropped. This can make obtaining a loan more difficult. The military offers loans and tuition benefits for those who sign up. This may be an option and there are still some loan companies that will work with students. Sallie Mae has been around for a long time and they still offer education loans. Another company that may help is Wells Fargo. Others include Chase student loans and FinAid. There are several others and they can be found by searching the Internet for College Education Loans. Be sure to shop around for the loan that fits your needs the best. They may also have different interest rates to choose from.

The military has been a great education vehicle for many successful people in the world today. Some Doctors, Dentist, and other professionals received their education either in the military or funded by the military. This opens the door for many ambitious young people that want more out of life than a minimum pay job and mortgage. The incentives to join the military change from year to year, and benefits the military offers also change. If a young person would like an education and is willing to enlist, they should contact their local recruiter for more information. This website explains the various options available from each of the various arms of the military. Potential military people can chat with others that are enlisting, or contemplating enlisting. They can also research the requirements necessary to enlist, basically everything a potential military person would like to know.

ASVAB

This is the acronym for the military’s aptitude test the long version is Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery . Anyone interested in a career or even a stint in the military will need to take this test. The more sought after positions will require a higher test score than the less desirable opportunities. The advantage to visiting the military link above is the availability of an ASVAB practice test. Those interested in the military may want to study and do well on this test, as it can make a difference in the options they have.  They also have study manuals for those wanting to improve their scores on this very important assessment. A person can also visit the various divisions of the military on this site. They can also find information about recruiting office close to where they live.

The Guard or Reserve

Another path of entry to the military and military benefits is through the National Guard or Army Reserve. This division is trained to be in the military, and may not every see active duty. Recently it would seem that most reserve units have seen active duty due to the number of conflicts the United States is currently engaged in. Specific information about these options would be better discussed with the people who really know, the actual recruiters. These avenues also have benefits for those that enroll, to find out more contact your local recruiter’s office. In the past most reserve units were inactive and attended their camps several weekends a month with a two week training course somewhere away from home every year. Given the current status of our military, it is best to speak with those who provide this service. A career in the military is an honorable way to serve our country, and at the same time receive help getting a start in life. There is nothing wrong with obtaining an education as a benefit of serving our country. Our hearts go out to those who serve and put their lives on the line everyday so we can enjoy the freedoms we have. A military person is admired in our society today, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude for doing what they do and have done for us.

Another name for College prep schools is just prep school. Many of the prep schools are private, and independent of the national education association. There are typically fees and tuition associated with these types of schools. They can be a little pricey and some of these institutions also receive donations from outside sources that allow them to offer a very quality education for their students. Some college prep schools are single sex meaning that they only accept boys or girls. Some people believe that students do better academically if they are not distracted by the opposite sex. The other side of the argument leans more toward the thought that students will not learn proper social skills if they are not exposed to the opposite sex. Parents and students should decide which option will best meet their needs. There are prep schools that are only for students to attend during the day known as day schools, and some that offer living arrangements known as boarding schools

Select Carefully

Some prep schools are very competitive and difficult to gain admission into. This makes preparation for these types of school an important factor. Students should work to get the best GPA possible so they will not be denied admittance because of low grades. If the selection process comes down to two students with everything else being equal, the student with the highest GPA may win the spot. Entrance into a higher level or more prestigious prep school may also assist the teen when seeking admittance into the University of their choice. It is important to note that the more prestigious universities will usually have a more prestigious or (expensive) tuition rate. There may some limited scholarship funds available. It is important that a teen not be put into an institution of higher learning they are not qualified to enter. This situation will only create feelings of inadequacy and an overwhelmed unhappy student. If the student gets poor grades in the university they are not prepared to attend, it may create more problems than benefits for them in their academic future.

Benefits of a Prep School

One large benefit of the prep school may be the low student to teacher ratio. This may be due to the ability of the children to grasp things academically. It is also helpful if a teen has a question and needs some additional help. Many prep schools offer an more extensive list of AP or advanced placement courses. A lot of the top prep schools have strong athletic programs also. In addition they typically offer courses in the arts in the way of musicals and plays. It is not unusual for the prep schools to offer other social opportunities with clubs and other social organizations. These will assist the student as they prepare to transition into their college or university life. With the prep school being privately funded they have the ability to hire the brightest and best teachers. This benefit alone could make enrollment in a prep school a great value. When coupled with all of the other benefits we have discussed a prep school is definitely the way to go for someone interested in a top quality education.

There is an interesting article today in a Hershey Newspaper. A mother is suing the school for boys for not allowing her son to be enrolled there. The school was founded back in 1909 as the Hershey Industrial School, for orphaned boys. The boy is a not a troubled teen, as a matter of fact, he is doing very well academically, and is a great athlete as well. The boy has been diagnosed with HIV and the school indicated they would not accept him. This is unfortunate on several different levels. It is unfortunate that there is so much fear surrounding the dreaded positive HIV diagnosis and Aids disease in general. It is also unfortunate that the boy may not be allowed to participate in the Hershey School, and their sports program. As devastating as this news must be to the boy and his family the school is probably unhappy about the situation also. The school has to be cautious not to do something that may jeopardize the entire school population. While the HIV virus is not passed from casual contact the lack of knowledge about the disease is more than likely at the base of the dispute. The bigger topic to be discussed then would be centered around the rights a boarding school or orphanage has to decline students or youth. Both sides of the story are equally compelling, and have equal merit.

How Far can They Go?

With a teen being denied admission into Hershey School for being HIV positive the next question is what other diagnosis will be denied? Not only in Hershey but in boarding schools across the country. If a student has other sexually transmitted diseases will they be denied admission? Will students all need to take a battery of tests prior to admission into any boarding school? What would the penalty be for a student not reporting a sexually transmitted disease he failed to mention during application process? What if the disease is not diagnosed until after the student is enrolled? What if the diagnosis or test performed was not accurate? It seems like the controversy will generate many more questions and problems than just a few isolated cases. It would seem that if a boarding school is private they should be able to set the list of minimum criteria, (including health requirements) that are mandatory to be enrolled?

Legal Problems

This then opens another line of questions. Does the private school open themselves up to a lawsuit of discrimination if they fail to accept a student that doesn’t meet their minimum enrollment guidelines? A wise Attorney once said, “Anyone can sue anyone for any reason”. The sad but true comment means virtually what it says. If someone decides to sue someone, they can do so. It may not even require the plaintiff to have any money. If they are able to find a hungry new attorney wanting to make a name for himself, he may take the case for a piece of the settlement. There are many law suits filed each year that result in a pretrial settlement. Some companies would rather settle than fight a case they may win, but at a much higher cost given the expense of legal fees alone. This does not take into consideration the negative publicity the company may be exposed to. Again even if they have done nothing wrong their image in the public eye could be tarnished.  If the company being sued has done nothing wrong, they will be forced to spend money to defend themselves rather than admit guilt. The company will also have to pay the plaintiff even if they don’t have a legitimate claim. Either way the company being sued loses.

If you are looking for a boarding school for your teenager you need to understand that applying and being accepted are two different things! Obviously you want to find the best boarding school for your son or daughter; but they also want to have the best teenagers in their school. This does not mean that your teenager needs to be a model student but it will depend on what you want from the school as to whether they are the best fit for your child.

The admissions procedures for boarding schools will vary, so before applying anywhere, check out what the boarding school requires you to do. The best boarding schools will be the most popular and may also have waiting lists. Some boarding schools are strictly academic and do not provide any therapy for their students, these are not boarding schools for troubled teens. Here the admissions criteria will be based upon academic performance and good references. It is also likely that they will only accept students at certain times of year and that you have to submit your application by a certain date.

Admissions process for private boarding schools

There will be a lot of forms to fill in but this is only half of the procedure you will need to complete. There will be an application form and the private boarding school will expect you to have evidence of your teenagers schooling to date. This will include any examination results, certificates of achievement and school reports. In addition it is good to include any extra-curricular activities your teenager has completed, and any other awards or certificates they have received. This is where you include their piano grades; their participation in sports teams, dance classes, charity fund raising activities.

Private boarding schools are looking for students that will raise their profile in a positive fashion, so they continue to maintain the reputation for being the best boarding school in their state! The second part of the admissions process is the interview with the school.

The Interview for boarding school admission

This interview is a two way process; you are interviewing the school and they are interviewing both you and your teenager. Some of the best boarding schools may seem so intimidating that parents forget to ask them questions as they are so keen to get their teenager a place at the school! It is important to remember that the best boarding school in Texas, for example, as voted by parents, may not be the best boarding school for your child. You should prepare your questions in advance and not feel that you cannot ask whatever you want to. This is your child’s well being at stake, so even if the interview makes you feel nervous, if you prepare beforehand you will be able to make an informed decision.

Decision time

Not all boarding schools will be able to give you an answer at the time of interview. They may have a number of interviews to do, especially at the start of an academic year and they will want to discuss the admissions with their board of directors. You should ask for a timeframe for acceptance at the interview stage as you too will be making a selection to find the best boarding school for your teenager.

When considering a boarding school for your son or daughter it is important to understand the ethos of the schools on offer. Like people, boarding schools vary in character and you are looking for a fit between your child and the school. Christian boarding schools are an obvious category, but even within this classification there are differences.

Christian boarding school ideals

There are different approaches to Christian teaching. Some boarding schools will base most of their curriculum on the Bible and their aim will be to raise children based upon teaching Christian principles. There will be a religious act of worship each day and a chapel or church on site. There may be admission restrictions which are based on faith and you would be well advised to get a reference from your own pastor or minister to include in your application. Some Christian boarding schools may have quite a narrow view of faith which might be at odds with your own, so it is important to check this thoroughly.

Multi-denominational boarding schools

Other boarding schools may have a more general definition of Christian and accept students of many faiths but will base their pastoral approach on Christian ideals. Here you may feel that your son or daughter will benefit from schooling with teenagers from a variety of faiths and backgrounds. Daily acts of worship may be encouraged but not compulsory but biblical teaching will form part of the curriculum.

Moral principles and values

The ethos of a school is more than its faith. A good boarding school will have a very clear mission statement and a declared set of values. It is important that you feel comfortable with the aim of the boarding school for your teenager as it will form a significant part of their life. Do not be afraid to challenge a school’s stated aims, and ask them to explain their moral stance towards teenagers who may misbehave. You need to agree with their discipline structure and sanctions as they are responsible for your teenagers’ wellbeing in your absence.

Visit and take part

If you select a Christian boarding school, then when you visit, ask to take part in their scheduled acts of worship. You can tell a lot about a boarding school by participating in some of its regular daily activities. Ultimately you should visit a school you are considering for your teenager as you will get a proper feel for the ethos by being there! By looking at the students behavior around the teachers, and in their daily routines you will get a sense of the atmosphere which is worth more than a dozen brochures extolling the school’ virtues! The ethos of a school may be hard to understand at first, but it is important that your teenager is raised in the way you would want to raise them at home. Christian boarding schools vary enormously so ask many questions and visit before making your decision.

Many parents worry about how their teenager will respond to members of the opposite sex and there is much talk about academic performance being different between boys and girls. Single sex education certainly has its advantages for both boys and girls.

The positives of single sex schooling

The adolescent years can be troublesome and the distractions of the opposite sex can detract from achieving academic excellence. Generally speaking a single sex school can focus specifically on the needs of that gender and develop activities that are particularly suited to that gender’s learning styles. Clearly in a boarding school environment it is important to regulate adolescent behavior both in and out of lessons and mixed gender schools may experience some issues with relationships between the students. A single sex boarding school can develop a teenagers’ independence without the distraction of relationships, allowing focus on leadership skills, sports skills and academic skills.

A program can be tailored to meet boys’ more physical needs with a greater variety of competitive sports and team building exercises. Boys tend to thrive in a competitive environment and respond better to a more structured approach to learning with very clear boundaries. Differentiation can therefore be by ability as opposed to gender.

The negatives of single sex schooling

Some parents are concerned that their son or daughter will struggle to form good opposite sex relationships if they attend a single sex school. Generally speaking, a good single sex boarding school will ensure that there are activities with neighboring opposite sex schools to enable development of these social skills. It is common to find two single sex boarding schools within a reasonable distance of each other, sometimes run by the same institution, in order to facilitate this social development. Not all boys learn the same way, some gain a lot from working with girls and vice versa so they may miss out on certain styles of learning in a single sex school.

Boarding schools single sex benefits

Many educational experts recognize that while boys and girls may develop at a similar rate academically, they often develop differently emotionally. A troubled teen boy will benefit greatly from positive male role models and a supportive environment that responds to his social, academic and emotional needs without the added concerns of opposite sex relationships. These schools work closely with their students to foster team spirit and cooperation which create many long lasting friendships and positive bonding between the students. This has been shown to improve academic performance as a friendly rivalry is a good motivator to success.

Choosing a single sex school with your teenager

It is important that your son or daughter is involved in the decision as to which school they attend. They may have reservations about attending a single sex school so will need to visit any such school to see the facilities and experience the atmosphere. Obviously, you as a parent may have strong opinions and want your child to attend a single sex school, but it will be more successful a decision if your child agrees with the choice!