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Boot Camps & Military Schools in West Virginia
When troubled teens need full time help, parents often turn to military schools and boot camps for answers. However, studies show that these programs may not be the best solution. HelpYourTeenNow is a parent advocate group with resources for parents just like you who are looking for detailed, accurate information on how to help their at-risk children. With a free phone consultation, we will assess your family’s situation and go through your options with you. Once you have all the information we can provide, you’ll be able to make wise decisions for your whole family.
Military Schools and Boot Camps Aren’t the Best Option for Troubled Teens
The idea of tough discipline and quick results inspire many parents to send their children to military school and outdoor boot camps, hoping for amazing changes in their troubled teens. However, these programs are not designed to help teens deal with the challenges they are facing. Military schools focus on preparing young cadets for college, and private boot camps are not usually run by therapists, but “drill sergeant” staffers, forcing kids to comply. Neither of these approaches is effective for rehabilitating teens who suffer from problems ranging from ADD/ADHD and depression to self-harm or eating disorders. Avoid military schools and boot camps for teens and seek out alternatives that have a greater success rate.
West Virginia Regulatory Laws
Facilities that treat juveniles must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services Bureau for Children and Families. This West Virginia department is part of the Office of Children and Family Policy, Division of Children and Adult Services.
If a private school wishes to operate in West Virginia, it does not need to be accredited but it does need to register with the West Virginia State Superintendant of Schools (WV Code §18-28-6). Each school must gain approval from its local board of education. West Virginia private schools do not need to hire teachers with certification. Classes must be taught in English (WV Code §18-2-7) and national and state standardized testing is optional. However, West Virginia private schools are encouraged to administer approved national tests annually (WV Code §18-28-3).
(U.S. Department of Education, State Regulation of Private Schools, 2009)
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
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Educational Recources
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West Virginia Regulatory Laws
Facilities that treat juveniles must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services Bureau for Children and Families. This West Virginia department is part of the Office of Children and Family Policy, Division of Children and Adult Services.
If a private school wishes to operate in West Virginia, it does not need to be accredited but it does need to register with the West Virginia State Superintendant of Schools (WV Code §18-28-6). Each school must gain approval from its local board of education. West Virginia private schools do not need to hire teachers with certification. Classes must be taught in English (WV Code §18-2-7) and national and state standardized testing is optional. However, West Virginia private schools are encouraged to administer approved national tests annually (WV Code §18-28-3).
(U.S. Department of Education, State Regulation of Private Schools, 2009)
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Educational Recources
Statistics for At-Risk West Virginia Teens
ADD/ADHD
- 12.9%
12.9 percent of children in West Virginia, aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2016–2019).
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 22.5%
The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in West Virginia 22.5 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
- 9.4%
West Virginia ranks 11th with a suicide rate of 9.4 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/WV
DRUG USE
- 8.78%
In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In West Virginia, about 8.78% of adolescents in this age group reported using illicit drugs, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
https://drugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/#west-virginia
ALCOHOL USE
- 9.58%
Approximately 9.58% of teens in West Virginia suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
https://drugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/#west-virginia
TEEN VAPING
- 35.7%
West Virginia ranks 1st among all states, with 35.7% 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!
When you call HelpYourTeenNow, we’ll help you assess whether you should send your at-risk teen to a residential rehabilitation program as well as help you figure out what kind of program might work best. Look beyond military schools and boot camps to authentic therapeutic programs that work on resolving the underlying issues that are causing your teen’s poor behavior. Call HelpYourTeenNow for a free phone consultation and get the most accurate information you can’t find anywhere else, coming from parents and experts who have experience in these programs and who are eager to share it with you.