Christian Schools for Troubled Teens vs Traditional Therapeutic Boarding Schools
If you’re looking into schools for troubled teens, you might be surprised by the number of options available. Sending your son or daughter away for their education is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make as a parent, so it pays to be well-informed. Probably the most critical difference between these two types of programs might seem obvious but bears some explanation. Schools for troubled teens place a great deal of emphasis on the spiritual approach. This is perfect for teenagers who come from Christian homes. If your son or daughter is in this category and, over the years, you’ve watched them stray from the path of Christ no matter what you do, a Christian schools for troubled teens will bring them back to their faith. While traditional therapeutic boarding schools often provide discipline, structure, and their sort of principles and morals, they are entirely non-religious. This is typically better for students without any religious affiliation or teenagers who don’t need a profound change of heart.
Schools for troubled teens often specialize in helping teens get back on track in life, whereas traditional boarding schools do not.
Because of the spiritual component of schools for troubled teens, these programs are often run very similarly to therapeutic boarding schools. This means that schools for troubled teens generally accept teens who are struggling academically or having behavioral issues at home. Many other boarding schools do not work with troubled teenagers because their programs are designed to take teens who are already doing well academically and give them a competitive edge over their peers. Christian schools for troubled teens are your best bet if your son or daughter is falling behind in school or acting out at home. When teenagers surround themselves with others suffering from the same issues, they begin to see how change is possible. They will also feel at home and supported in improving themselves. While most other boarding schools don’t accept troubled teens, some do. The issue here is that they don’t specifically work with troubled teens. As a result, your teenager will likely be surrounded by kids who do not have the same issues as them, which can foster the same feelings of alienation that caused these issues in the first place.
This brings us to educational differences. Both program styles offer education but in very different ways.
At traditional boarding schools, enrollment usually targets teenagers with good grades and only minor behavioral issues. When these students arrive at the program, they are held to high academic standards and expected to be able to succeed. The main difference between a boarding school and a school back home is the addition of structure and discipline. While these things are vital for troubled teenagers, more is needed to foster success in them. Additionally, the curriculum is secular and leads most teenagers into intellectualism rather than spirituality. Under these conditions, even devout students can sometimes lose their way. Schools for troubled teens provide education that is tailored to the needs of students. Many of these schools for troubled teens are individually accredited through curricula specifically designed to suit the young Christian man or woman, even those with behavioral problems. The hallmark of these academic programs is an education taught from a Christian worldview that accommodates a flexible, technology-driven classroom and allows students to work at their own pace. Education at these programs is not the sole purpose. Instead, academics serve as part of a complete whole, including scripture, behavioral changes, and therapeutic practices. This allows students to grow in faith while staying on track in school and growing and changing in dangerous areas.
Where traditional boarding schools spend time preparing teens for college, Christian schools for troubled teens prepare teenagers to grow into well-rounded young men.
In addition to the character-building, academics, and discipleship on campus, schools for troubled teens often go offsite to round out their students’ life education. It is common in these programs for students to participate in a variety of service projects which teach practical life lessons. Some schools participate in mission programs, where your teenager will go to a less fortunate area and bring the Gospel and helpful aid. Others do local community service, giving back to the society from which they’ve probably only taken before. While these activities are generous and helpful to others, you’ll find that these activities can be some of the most profoundly life-altering moments in young people’s lives. By going out and caring for others without asking anything in return, students learn humility, faith, and compassion for others. If your teenager is going through a rough patch, there’s probably no doubt in your mind that they could use some of these principles in their lives. From Christian principles to vocational skills to leadership and teamwork, the lessons these outreach activities teach students are almost limitless, and most traditional boarding schools do not invest time in them.
Which is best for your teen? A Christian schools for troubled teens or a traditional therapeutic boarding school?
Ultimately, the decision between these programs comes to your teenager and your family. If your teenager is falling behind in school, struggling with behavioral issues, or beginning to lose sight of his faith, schools for troubled teens are the ideal choice. On the other hand, if your son or daughter is doing pretty well in these areas or spirituality is not a concern, traditional boarding schools are fine.
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch Transforms Troubled Boys into Young Men of Character
The very first Teen Challenge school of its kind, we continue to find inventive new ways to help struggling boys, even after 4 decades years of service. Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch in Arkansas is a Christian school for troubled teens, devoted to helping troubled boys by applying faith-based solutions to life’s problems.
Our approach to learning is very structured and disciplined. Our approach to teaching, program format and interventional style are all biblically based. We see academic success as a key to long-term life success.
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch strives to help the struggling boys become psychologically balanced, physically healthy, mentally sound, academically accomplished, socially adjusted and spiritually alive. We have seen even the most oppositional and out-of-control boys transform their lives and become young men of character and integrity.
