Boarding Schools - A Lifeline for Troubled Teens

B oarding schools have been traditionally regarded as institutions that cater to the needs of troubled teens, or children who come from troubled families. They were, and still are being regarded as places where struggling teenagers are disciplined to conform with what society considers as acceptable behavior. But these days, boarding schools have evolved into an entirely different concept. Times have changed, even good teens who come from normal, happy families can already pursue their studies in boarding schools and turn out to be better individuals. They have now earned the reputation of moulding teenagers to become independent, responsible, self-motivated, and well-rounded individuals capable of making practical decisions in life.

Even though times have changed, and boarding schools are equipped for all types of students coming from various types of family backgrounds, there are still boarding schools specifically designed for troubled teenagers.

Such types of boarding schools help teenagers to deal with a multitude of problems such as drug abuse, stress, depression, conduct disorders, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, obesity, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), oppositional defiant disorders, learning disabilities, violence, and other complex issues of troubled adolescents. The school provides focused attention on the teen’s emotional, behavioral, and academic problems in a safe and structured environment. They employ a lot of techniques like therapeutic programs to enable the child to resolve conflicts through therapy or counseling, personality development workshops and creative activities that emphasize positive attitude, and personal responsibility.

Boarding schools keep teenagers away from negative influences in their immediate environment and make them realize that here are other teens with similar problems. These boarding schools encourage activities to keep the teens preoccupied while teaching them how to live a better life and learn how their behavior and decisions impact their lives. With ample support from family and faculty counseling, a troubled teen’s life can be turned around for the better.

Boarding schools for troubled teens have specialized programs that may last from a few weeks or months to a few years, depending on the teen’s needs. They offer more attention to teenagers by maintaining a small student-teacher ratio, as well as an environment where teenagers can feel uninhibited to express their true emotions. They will be under the supervision of trained specialists who will be able to help them resolve their conflicts in an open and amiable manner.

When looking for an appropriate boarding school for a troubled teenager, take into account the style of program they use, field of specialty, facilities, faculty members, academic requirements, support services like counseling and therapeutic activities that are compatible with the teen’s personality and their particular set of issues. If academic failure is the problem, then a school that focuses on academic excellence with tutoring services may be the likely choice. On the other hand, teenagers who are dealing with complex issues like behaviortal problems and substance abuse, therapeutically oriented schools may be more appropriate.