Boot Camps & Military Schools in Arizona

When parents reach out for assistance with their troubled and at-risk teens, they often receive suggestions from others advising them to enroll their child in a military school or boot camp as a way to deter negative behavior. However, parents in your position must familiarize themselves with the various teen support programs available to ensure they choose the most suitable option for their teen’s needs. At Help Your Teen Now, we guide parents like you, offering valuable insights into your options. Our free phone consultation is designed to equip you with the information necessary to make informed decisions about your troubled teen.

Military Schools and Boot Camps in Arizona Aren’t the Best Option for Troubled Teens

Various types of teen support programs exist, but it’s important to debunk the misconceptions surrounding military schools and boot camps portrayed in movies. Authentic military schools function as academic institutions with a military-style structure, primarily preparing students for officer roles in the military rather than catering to at-risk teens. On the other hand, boot camps are military-style corrective facilities featuring strict routines and disciplinary measures to instill respect for authority. Typically, boot camps lack therapeutic and academic components, they often fail to address the underlying issues behind teen behavior.

While a well-structured boot camp may serve as an initial step toward addressing behavioral concerns, exploring additional long-term therapy options for your teen is essential. At Help Your Teen Now, we’re dedicated to assisting you in exploring alternative avenues such as working ranches, therapeutic boarding schools, and alternative high schools as potential solutions for your teen’s needs.

Arizona Regulatory Laws

The Arizona Department of Health Services regulates and licenses Arizona’s boot camps, military schools, teen work ranches, and wilderness camps. There is no public oversight of private schools in Arizona. They are not required to have the following: accreditation, registration, licensing, or approval (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann.§15-802F.2). The Arizona State Board of Education or individual school districts don’t have control or provide supervision over private schools (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann.§15-161). Teachers are not required to have certification or licensing when employed by a private school, but certain subjects must be taught, such as mathematics and science (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann.§15-802A). Private school zones must be drug-free, and signage must be visible, establishing this (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §13-3411). All private and public schools must provide adequate safety drills and support safety programs as outlined by the local fire marshals (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann.§§41-2165; 2163A.4). Private schools must also follow all safety standards while school is in session (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann.§15-151).

Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf