Low-Cost Schools for Troubled Teens

Job Corps

• Job Corps provides educational and vocational training for 16- to 24-year-olds. With more than 120 locations across the U.S., young adults can choose to study from 100 career technical areas, as well as earn a high school diploma or a GED. For those with a high school education, Job Corps also guides young adults in the college enrollment process. While at Job Corps, students will learn the technical, interpersonal and personal management skills needed in order to seek gainful employment upon completion of the program. Students may choose to reside in safe, drug-free housing on campus, as well as receive meals, basic health care and an allowance at no extra cost.

National Guard Youth Challenge Program

• If your teen is between 16 and 18 years old, a high school dropout or expellee and unemployed, consider enrolling him in the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. This 22-week program features core components, such as health and hygiene, job skills training, physical training, life-coping skills and many more. Students reside in either an active or closed National Guard base, training center or school campus. Upon completion of the program, a specially trained National Guard member from your local community is specifically matched and maintains a year-long mentoring relationship with your child.

Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and Girlstown, U.S.A.

• Cal Farley's is one of America's largest, privately-funded child and family care providers. The Boys Ranch, open to both boys and girls, provides a stable and safe residential environment, where children can develop positive relationships with their peers and house parents, as well as learn money management, healthy living, interpersonal and legal skills and more. Girlstown, U.S.A., helps young women ages 16-24 obtain a high school diploma as well as gainful employment and/or enroll in college. Both programs and services are administered in a Christ-centered atmosphere. Although based out of Texas, the program is open to all at-risk teens and their families.

Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center

• Eight plus five equals ten might not make much sense to you, but it is the philosophy of Eagle Rock School. Young adults who enroll here are taught eight themes, five expectations and ten commitments for daily life. These include intellectual discipline, spiritual development, effective communication and living in respectful harmony with others. Students who enroll at Eagle Rock tend to have a difficult time with a traditional school structure and seek an alternative form of education. Eagle Rock is a year-round, residential school program located on a 640-acre site just outside of Estes Park, Colorado. Students graduate based on their demonstrated competencies rather than strictly based on good grades and attendance.