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boarding schools for troubled teens In Kentucky
Choosing an alternative or therapeutic boarding school for your teen can be a stressful process. It can be hard to know where to start researching and even then, you may not know which groups and organizations are trustworthy and successful. Help Your Teen Now is dedicated to parents just like you. We are a parent advocate/resource agency and one call puts you in touch with our team of experts who have helped hundreds of families just like yours. We put researched and approved information right at your fingertips and can answer questions along the way for free. This is a challenging time for your family and you don’t have to walk this road alone. Call us today!
Do Schools for Troubled Teens in Kentucky Work?
Schools for troubled teens in Kentucky can be an important turning point for families facing difficult behavioral challenges. When matched with a teen’s specific emotional and academic needs, therapeutic boarding schools and alternative programs can offer structure, counseling, and personal growth. While Kentucky may not have as many programs as some larger states, families often consider out-of-state options with proven success rates. Learn more about what “bad kid schools” are really called to better understand the different types of programs available.
If you’re unsure where to start, Help Your Teen Now offers free guidance to help you compare programs and make the best decision for your teen.
When Should You Consider a School for Troubled Teens in Kentucky?
If your teen is struggling with serious behavioral issues, emotional instability, or academic decline, it may be time to explore a therapeutic school. Kentucky families often turn to these programs when local resources, such as school counselors or outpatient therapy, aren’t enough. Whether your teen is acting out, withdrawing socially, or facing issues like substance use or defiance, structured support can make a difference. You may also want to explore our guide on extracurricular activities for troubled teens to support healing and engagement.
Contact Help Your Teen Now—our services are completely free, and we’re here to help you navigate this decision with confidence.
Kentucky Regulatory Laws
Accreditation is optional for non-public or private schools in Kentucky. While there is no accrediting agency at the state department, private schools can choose to be certified or accredited through a recognized national or regional accrediting agency or through a self-study accrediting process provided by the Kentucky Nonpublic School Commission. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §156.160(3). Licensing, Registration and Approval are all optional as well.
Teacher certification is not required at private schools in Kentucky, however the curriculum must reflect the same courses that are taught in public schools. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §156.445(3). Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann.§158.080. Text materials must be approved by the state textbook commission. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §156.445(3).
The local board of health or the Cabinet for Health and Safety is responsible for approving the safety and sanitary conditions of nonpublic schools. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §212.210. Current immunizations are required for all students attending private schools. Exemption based on medical or religious reasons must be officially signed and filed. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §214.034.
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
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Educational Recources
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Kentucky Regulatory Laws
Accreditation is optional for non-public or private schools in Kentucky. While there is no accrediting agency at the state department, private schools can choose to be certified or accredited through a recognized national or regional accrediting agency or through a self-study accrediting process provided by the Kentucky Nonpublic School Commission. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §156.160(3). Licensing, Registration and Approval are all optional as well.
Teacher certification is not required at private schools in Kentucky, however the curriculum must reflect the same courses that are taught in public schools. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §156.445(3). Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann.§158.080. Text materials must be approved by the state textbook commission. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §156.445(3).
The local board of health or the Cabinet for Health and Safety is responsible for approving the safety and sanitary conditions of nonpublic schools. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §212.210. Current immunizations are required for all students attending private schools. Exemption based on medical or religious reasons must be officially signed and filed. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §214.034.
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Educational Recources
Statistics for At-Risk Kentucky Teens
ADD/ADHD
- 12%
12 percent of children in Kentucky, aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2016–2019).
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 23.8%
The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Kentucky is 23.8 per 1,000 females in this age group, according to the World Population Review.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/teen-pregnancy-rates-by-state
TEEN SUICIDE
- 12.2%
Kentucky ranks 27th with a suicide rate of 12.2 deaths per 100,000 adolescents aged 15 to 19, according to data from the CDC WONDER Multiple Cause of Death Files (2020–2022).
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/teen_suicide/KY
DRUG USE
- 7.03%
In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In Kentucky, about 7.03% of adolescents in this age group reported using illicit drugs, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
ALCOHOL USE
- 9.67%
Approximately 9.67% of teens in Kentucky suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
TEEN VAPING
- 26.1%
Kentucky ranks 17th among all states, with 26.1% of high school teens reported to have used vapes. (Drug Watch, 2024).
TEEN PORNOGRAPHY
- 57%
The porn industry experienced a 12.6% annual revenue increase from 2018 to 2023. Adolescent exposure to pornography has steadily risen, with the age of first exposure becoming increasingly younger. 57% of young adults ages 18-25 use porn monthly or more often.
TEEN BULLYING
- 46%
According to Pew Research Center, 46% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 have experienced at least one of six types of cyberbullying behaviors. (Pew Research Center, 2022).
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/12/15/teens-and-cyberbullying-2022/
Summary
We Can Help!
Call us to get a free evaluation of your teen. From there, we will be able to determine the best groups and services to recommend. We have a comprehensive database to give you the information you need without hours of searching. We are committed to making sure that only the best of the best makes our list, and each facility and organization is thoroughly checked out by us. We are not affiliated with anyone we endorse, so you can be assured that the advice we give is non-biased. We want to make sure that you get the knowledge you need to feel confident in your choice. Let us partner with you to select the best alternative or therapeutic boarding school for your child. Call us and healing your family can start today!