10 Low Cost Boarding Schools for Troubled Youth

If you are desperately trying to find the affordable boarding for your troubled child, you are at the right place because this list of 10 low cost boarding schools for troubled youth is going to help you a lot. Teenagers today face a number of challenges, and for some of them, that can be overwhelming. This is usually reflected in their behavior and interactions with other people and parents soon realize that they have a problem and often wonder: “What am I going to do with my child? Where can I send my troubled kid?” Solutions are numerous, but most of them start with talking with troubled one to try to figure out the reasons for such behavior.

Studies usually show that adolescents without adult supervision would likely engage in risky behaviors than those with the support of their parents. Reasons for such behavior often include peer pressure and the desire to fit in as well as a constant change of the living environment. Not to mention family issues. Troubles come when these problems directly influence teenager’s behavior, where he/she can become violent or start using alcohol or drugs. A person like that, more often gets depressed what is then followed with bad grades at school, etc. These are behavioral symptoms that confirm that you are dealing with troubled youth. And, they are numerous, and it is important to recognize them. Some parents choose to deal with this issue privately while some seek professional help from psychologists, government programs for troubled youth, residential programs for troubled youth or boarding schools for troubled youth. Residents of the USA have a vast number of choices when it comes to choosing a good boarding school.

Boarding schools are not reserved only for troubled youth and those with better financial standing often choose to send their child to elite boarding schools. You can take a look at our list of 11 most elite boarding schools in the world in 2017 to (at least) see what these schools have to offer. However, most parents with average income will try to find affordable boarding schools for their children rather than elite, costly ones. It’s a common thing, and boarding schools are available all around the globe – there are free boarding schools in Florida, and there are free boarding schools in India, as well. As for the free boarding schools for troubled youth and free therapeutic boarding schools, they do exist, as well, but most of them still charge some fee although they can be an excellent choice for low income families. Still, some parents decide to send their children to military boarding schools, believing that military discipline is exactly what they need. Some of them are designed for troubled youth, and we’ve compiled a list of 10 military high schools for troubled youth to make things a bit easier for you. On the other hand, there are military schools which are not so keen to accept teenagers with prominent behavioral issues but are still an excellent choice for those looking for free military boarding schools. Those who wish to pursue a military career later on or those who want to have a strict and disciplined life during their studies. Our list of 11 best military high schools: 4 are free will give an insight into the best military schools in the U.S., including those which are free. The biggest advantage of boarding schools is that adolescents get to work with professionals who implement best intervention techniques aimed at addressing emotional and psychological needs of a troubled teenager. Boarding schools proved to be useful in helping troubled youth, and if you are in need of one, this list will definitely help you.

To compile this list of 10 low cost boarding schools for troubled youth, I used a couple of websites that offer advice to parents of troubled youth. Some of them include Teen Challenge Schools, Focus Adolescent Services, Rescue Youth, Boarding Schools of America, and Boarding School Reviews. I’ve singled out some of the recommended schools and checked tuition fees to identify those with low cost. Schools are ranked according to their tuition fees, from highest to lowest price. Boarding schools with higher monthly/yearly fee are at the bottom, followed by those that offer insurance coverage and one-time payments. Top of the list of low cost boarding schools for troubled youth is reserved for boarding schools with free tuition (which often include certain pre-conditions but are still among) boarding schools for troubled youth with the lowest tuition cost. Let’s take a look.

10. Gateway Academy

Tuition fee: $2,950 per month but the academy accepts students on sliding scale based on family income

Gateway Academy is a military-style Christian boarding school for boys ages 11-17. The enrollment process is open all year round, and it starts with an interview with the parent/guardian to see if their child is a candidate for their program. Students have to follow pretty rigorous lifestyle with the day starting typically around 5:00 a.m. with physical training followed by breakfast at 6:45 and classes from 8:00 a.m. Evenings are reserved for Personal Studies for New Christians, and students are in their beds by 8:30 p.m.

9. Columbus Girls Academy

Tuition fee: $13,145 – $25,730 per year; Financial Aid is available

Columbus Girls Academy is a Christina, year-round, boarding school for teenage girls ages 12-17. According to their official website, this academy has been helping hundreds of young girls to get back on the right track in life. They offer individual and group therapies as well as many activities including fine arts workshops, regular physical activity, family weekends and much more.

8. Clearview Horizon

Tuition: Insurance Coverage

We are continuing our list of low cost boarding schools for troubled youth with Clearview Horizon that is a residential treatment center for troubled girls. The program is designed to last at least 12 months. Clearview offers innovative therapy, individual, group and family counseling and specialized help for students dealing with addictions. According to their official website tuition rates are nearly half the national average for this type of care. If you want to know the exact amount, feel free to contact Clearview Horizon staff. It is also common that insurance companies cover the tuition costs.

7. Brush Creek Boys Academy

Tuition: One-time $3,100 fee upon enrollment

Brush Creek Boys Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for troubled teenage boys. It is designed for those who use drugs and/or alcohol, who are depressed, withdrawn or self-destructive, etc. According to their official website, the key ingredients to changing teenager’s life for the better are mentoring and a faith-based approach. Since it is a fully accredited boarding school, students are eligible to attend college or university of their choice.

6. The Ranch for Boys

Tuition fee: $500 administrative costs (there are additional tuition fees which are not available online)

The Ranch for Boys is a non-profit, residential therapeutic boarding school for boys who show signs of troubling behavior. According to their official website, The Ranch for Boys is designed to help those who have issues such as falling grades, depression, anger, school suspension as well as kids who have drug and/or alcohol addictions and behavioral issues. Another reason why our number 6 on the list of low cost boarding schools for troubled youth is here is that, besides regular individual therapies, boys have a chance to experience hiking, camping, rafting and other adventurous activities. The Ranch for Boys is also a Christian type of boarding school which ensures to help students with their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. According to their website, tuition at this boarding school is about one-third of the cost of national average therapeutic programs.

5. Freedom Prep Academy

Tuition: $200 per year

Located in New York, Freedom Academy is a low-cost boarding school helping troubled teenagers to start a new life. It is a tuition-free charter school for troubled boys and girls, but it requires families to pay $200 per year to fund projects that directly benefit students. Students are taught responsibility, work ethic, and teamwork. Days at the campus start around 6:00 a.m. and include classes, time for sports/recreation, chapel as well as some free time.

4. Eagle Rock School

Tuition: Free; $300 incident deposit

Eagle Rock School offers troubled youth a chance for a new beginning in a stimulating environment. This is a non-profit organization focused on young people who dropped out of school or are very close to dropping out. This amazing high school is entirely funded by the American Honda Education Corporation, a nonprofit branch of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Eagle Rock School is very close to the top of our list of low cost boarding schools for troubled youth for a very good reason. Although taking care of troubled youth 24/7 is very expensive and demanding, this boarding school is completely free. Students only need to cover travel expenses to and from the Eagle Rock School and a $300 incident deposit.

3. Agape Boarding School

Tuition: Free*

We are close tho the first among the low cost boarding schools for troubled youth, and the remaining boarding schools on our list offer free tuition for troubled youth. However, we urge you to contact schools directly to check under which conditions they offer free tuition. Agape is a non-profit, charitable institution which provides education for troubled young boys. Scholarship funds (mostly funded by donations) are equally distributed in an attempt to keep tuition as low as possible. If you fill out their Inquiry Form, you can find out the exact cost of tuition. However, it seems that full scholarship is available for low-income families who cannot afford this school for their troubled teenager. Agape is dedicated to improving your boy’s academic, behavioral and spiritual growth.

2. Lakeland Grace Academy

Tuition: Free*

Lakeland Grace Academy is a non-profit boarding school for girls with self-destructive behavior and those who need behavior modification. Tuition fees at this academy are much lower than in other therapeutic academies because Lakeland Grace Academy is a non-profit ministry of Teen Challenge. Their official website offers a couple of options for those who need help in providing therapeutic education for their girls.

1. Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch

Tuition: Free

Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch (and the Girlstown USA) is a Christian residential program for troubled youth. Although the name “Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch” suggests that this is another all-male type of boarding school, this is actually a different boarding school on this list because they are open to both, boys and girls ages 5-18. Tuition is completely free because, according to them, “financial resources should never stand between a family in crisis and much-needed help.” Families are asked to cover transportation and medical costs while the school covers all other expenses thanks to their committed supporters. Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch is definitely a right choice for number one spot on our list of 10 low cost boarding schools for troubled youth because it is free and open for both, boys and girls.