Location Page
Boot Camps & Military Schools in Alabama
When parents find themselves unable to manage their troubled teen’s behavior through traditional disciplinary methods, military school or boot camp may seem like the best solution. However, entrusting your child to full-time care is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. Before making your choice, it is important to understand how these different programs work and the requirements for each troubled teen program. At Help Your Teen Now, we aim to empower parents like you with the information and resources to make informed decisions for your child’s well-being. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Read more to learn if a military school for troubled teenagers is the best program for your teen or call Help Your Teen Now at 1-800-901-7347.
Boot Camps Are Not The Best Option for Troubled Teens from Alabama
There are numerous misconceptions surrounding the objectives and functions of teen military schools and boot camps, particularly for parents in Alabama weighing whether to enroll their teens in troubled youth programs. While the strict regulations and structured environment of military schools may appear appealing for troubled teens, it’s crucial to understand that these institutions aim to equip students for academic achievement and potential military service rather than solely focusing on behavior correction.
Boot camps implement a highly disciplined regimen and military-style approach, yet they are typically short-term, remedial facilities designed to instill respect for authority through intimidation. Most boot camps lack academic and therapeutic components and often fail to address the underlying causes of behavioral issues. While a boot camp might be an initial step in your teen’s therapeutic journey, we strongly recommend considering it alongside a more comprehensive, longer-term plan, such as enrollment in an alternative or therapeutic boarding school.
At Help Your Teen Now, we are committed to partnering with you to determine the best plan of action tailored to your family’s specific needs and circumstances.
Alabama Regulatory Laws
Alabama boot camps and military academies are generally regulated and overseen by state, county, and city juvenile court systems. Teachers must hold state certificates(1975 §16-28-1(1), and the course work must be reflective of that taught in the public school curriculum (1975 §16-28-1(1) Attendance is mandatory, and records of absences of half a day or more must be kept.(1975 §16-28-1(1). Nonpublic schools must also implement a physical education program. (1975 §16-40-1).
The Alabama Department of Human Resources oversees the minimum standards for nonpublic facilities. Building codes must be up to date (1975 §41-9-163(c) fire drills must be held regularly, and all exits must remain unlocked during school hours. (1975 §36-19-10). Instructors and volunteers are subject to sex criminal background checks upon employment (1975§26-20-1). The unlawful sale of controlled substances on campus, or within a three-mile radius is punishable by five years incarceration, with no probation (1975 §13a-12-250).
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Request Free Admissions Information
Educational Recources
Request Free Admissions Information
Alabama Regulatory Laws
Alabama boot camps and military academies are generally regulated and overseen by state, county, and city juvenile court systems. Teachers must hold state certificates(1975 §16-28-1(1), and the course work must be reflective of that taught in the public school curriculum (1975 §16-28-1(1) Attendance is mandatory, and records of absences of half a day or more must be kept.(1975 §16-28-1(1). Nonpublic schools must also implement a physical education program. (1975 §16-40-1).
The Alabama Department of Human Resources oversees the minimum standards for nonpublic facilities. Building codes must be up to date (1975 §41-9-163(c) fire drills must be held regularly, and all exits must remain unlocked during school hours. (1975 §36-19-10). Instructors and volunteers are subject to sex criminal background checks upon employment (1975§26-20-1). The unlawful sale of controlled substances on campus, or within a three-mile radius is punishable by five years incarceration, with no probation (1975 §13a-12-250).
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Educational Recources
Statistics for At-Risk Alabama Teens
ADD/ADHD
- 12.1%
An estimated 7 million (11.4%) U.S. children aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD, according to a national survey of parents using data from 2022.
https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/state-profiles-diagnosis-and-medication-treatment.html
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 24.8%
Alabama ranks 5th in the nation for its teen birth rate, with 24.8 births per 1,000 women. Approximately 74% of teen births in Alabama occur among older teens (ages 18-19), while 16% of these births are to teens who already have children.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/teen-pregnancy-rates-by-state
TEEN SUICIDE
- 15.8%
The suicide rate in Alabama in 2021 was 15.8 per 100,000. Over 48,000 people died by suicide in 2021, averaging out to 1 death every 11 minutes.
https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/suicide/index.html
DRUG USE
- 8.33%
Youth drug abuse is a high-profile public health concern, with at least 1-in-8 teenagers abusing an illicit substance in the last year. Approximately 8.33 percent of adolescents in Alabama, age 12-17, experiment with illicit drugs. (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
https://drugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/#alabama
ALCOHOL USE
- 9.15%
Approximately 9.15% of teens in Alabama suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
TEEN VAPING
- 19.4%
Alabama ranks 37th among all states, with 19.4% of high school teens reported to have used vapes. (Drug Watch, 2024).
https://www.drugwatch.com/e-cigarettes/vape-stat-by-state/
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!
Please call us if you are considering a military school or boot camp to solve your teen’s behavior. There are a variety of options that may be a better long-term solution for your teen’s specific needs. Alternative and therapeutic boarding school facilities provide education, staff therapists, and a team dedicated to addressing the root of the problems, not just the symptoms. We offer a free consultation that will help us guide you toward the groups and organizations that will be most effective for your family. Boot camps and military schools are not your only option to reverse your child’s self-destructive behavior. Call us today and put your family back on the path to healing.