Academic Repair and Success
Our Teen Challenge academy values education and academic success, considering it essential to long-term life success. Most of our staff have advanced degrees. Many students here lack sufficient high school credit to obtain their diplomas promptly, but we help them get caught up and even retake classes for a higher grade point average. Every boy on campus is taught and tutored for several hours each day.
Our disciplined and structured approach to learning, with individualized academic goals and progress, helps the boys get back on track with their education. Our courses are fully accredited and transferrable.
The Classroom
All classes at our Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch are held online in our educational arena, overseen by our teachers. Our qualified classroom teachers provide tutoring, with the student raising a flag. Certified online IVA teachers can also provide tutoring. We provide specific tutoring programs for students with low WRAT testing.
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch is a therapeutic boarding school, so we teach life skills in the classroom, like asking for help when needed. We help students recognize their stress in the classroom and then manage it healthily. Our teachers encourage students to feel good about themselves and guide them to becoming successful students.
Our program has very efficient filtering and online security. Since all our classes are online, we take security very seriously. We operate through a whitelist, real-time monitoring, and a reporting system that tracks keystrokes.
Although we do not give report cards, a monthly report is sent to parents providing their student’s academic progress.
Accredited IVA Track
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch dual enrolls its students on the regular accredited track. This enables students to receive fully accredited transferable credits on their transcript. The dual enrollment is through Ignitia Virtual Academy (IVA). IVA is accredited through Cognia and the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and, as such, has nationally recognized accreditation. This gives students courses through an accredited program that will help them transfer credits, apply for federal grants, and pursue admission to colleges or universities. Students enrolling in the Teen Challenge program as seniors or advanced juniors may be able to earn a fully accredited high school diploma.
Non-Accredited Victory Academy Track
Students needing special accommodations could be placed into the Victory Academy (VA) track. In this track, students will earn non-accredited credits on their transcript. The curriculum used is Alpha Omega Switched on Schoolhouse. It has the same curriculum content as IVA but allows for modification to meet the unique needs of individual students. Some students may earn Victory Academy non-accredited high school diplomas.
Diploma Tracks
All students on a diploma track (IVA, VA, or GED) must complete Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance before graduation. Our seniors can earn college credits through our CLEP program and OSHA certifications. Diploma track students may also request to join our Work Study program to learn general handyman skills. All students receiving a diploma in our program will graduate in a cap and gown ceremony.
Increases Student Engagement, Progress, and Achievement
Keeping students engaged in their learning is vital to ensuring they master standards to move forward in their education. Students who want to use their time to catch up or even get ahead may do so. We will keep giving them classes if they do not compromise their grades. Students who return home before graduating high school here can easily continue their IVA courses online, making for a seamless educational experience.
Our program’s junior and senior students can take the ACT or SAT testing. Although we strongly encourage this testing, we do not require our students to participate.
Boys with life-controlling issues typically experience academic failure, so we work with our students to help them get back on track academically.
Individual Tutoring
We provide individual help to boys who are struggling academically. Students are provided with diagnostic testing upon entry into the program. Learning gaps and educational deficits are identified. Information is sought from previous schools, and an individually tailored academic plan is put in place for each student.
Fully Accredited Classes
Students may continue their progress toward a high school diploma by taking fully accredited classes at our Private Christian School. Our teachers and counselors also lead our faith-based character-building training courses with the boys, a key aspect of our program. We utilize landmark books by today’s leading evangelical Christian authors to teach key concepts, and of course, the boys are immersed in daily biblical instruction. Christian speakers and musicians regularly come to our campus to provide spiritual instruction, encouragement, and motivation, and the boys are taken to off-campus spiritual events.
GED Preparation
In 2021, Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch became an official GED Testing Center so students can prepare and take their GED test on campus. Many students who come to Teen Challenge lack sufficient high school credit to obtain their diplomas promptly. For this reason, several students pursue their GED while at Teen Challenge. Students work directly with the GED coordinator to develop a tailored study and preparation plan. Students participate in the guided study, and tutoring is provided in areas where improvement is needed. Teen Challenge works closely with the local GED testing center. To date, all students who have completed our GED preparation classes have obtained their GED on the first testing.
Continue Classes from Home after the Teen Challenge Program
Students can also continue their classwork at home after they leave Teen Challenge. Because of dual enrollment, students can continue their classes through the Edgenuity distance education program. They will continue to have assistance from certified teachers while at home. Continuing school with the Edgenuity Online Academy from home may be the preferred option for students whose families are worried about how their boy will do if he re-enrolls in their local school district after the Teen Challenge program.
Faith-Based Program
Teen Challenge Ranch’s teachers and counselors lead faith-based character-building training courses with the boys, an essential aspect of our program. We utilize landmark books by today’s leading evangelical Christian authors to teach key concepts, and of course, the boys are immersed in daily biblical instruction. Christian speakers and musicians regularly come to our campus to provide spiritual instruction, encouragement, and motivation, and the boys are taken to off-campus spiritual events.
