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Boot Camps & Military Schools in Alaska
It is commonly thought that when a teen is troubled beyond the help of his or her parents, a rule based, highly rigid boot camp or military school is in order to correct destructive behavior. However, there are many differences between the types of programs that are available for your family and understanding them fully is the best path to making the right choice. At Help Your Teen Now, our mission is to educate and inform parents who are looking at behavior correcting options. We offer a free consultation and assessment to determine what your specific needs are as well as direct you to the proper resources. We want to be your advocate in finding the best solution for your family.
Boot Camps Are Not The Best Option for Troubled Teens from Alaska
There are several reasons why a military school or boot camp may not be the best option for your teen. One of the misconceptions about these programs are that they exist to correct excessive behavior through rigid rules and military style structure. However, military schools are intended to both provide a superior education and prepare students for life in the armed services. Troubled students with self destructive behavior issues will not be allowed to stay. Boot camps follow a similar agenda, minus the education, and adopt a military approach to participants in order to frighten teens into respecting authority. Although these types of programs may be a reasonable start to a longer term therapeutic program, the results are usually short lived and do not address the root of the problem with your child. We strongly recommend that you have your teen assessed in order to determine what kind of therapeutic program will be most likely to generate long term success. We can help. Call us today!
Alaska Regulatory Laws
Private institutions in Alaska may become accredited through the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, however, it is not required. Alaska Stat.§14.07.020(10). Private schools are exempt from state education requirements as long as they comply with Alaska Stat.§§14.45.100, although state safety and health provisions still apply. Alaska Stat.§14.45.100.
Teacher certification is required for exempt schools but not non-exempt schools. All private schools must offer a curriculum comparable to that offered and regulated by public schools in the state. Alaska Stat. §14.30.010(b)(1). The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development prescribes regulation standards for safety and health within private schools. Alaska Stat. §14.07.020(7). Safety drills must be conducted at least once a month. Alaska Stat. §14.03.140.
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
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Educational Recources
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Alaska Regulatory Laws
Private institutions in Alaska may become accredited through the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, however, it is not required. Alaska Stat.§14.07.020(10). Private schools are exempt from state education requirements as long as they comply with Alaska Stat.§§14.45.100, although state safety and health provisions still apply. Alaska Stat.§14.45.100.
Teacher certification is required for exempt schools but not non-exempt schools. All private schools must offer a curriculum comparable to that offered and regulated by public schools in the state. Alaska Stat. §14.30.010(b)(1). The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development prescribes regulation standards for safety and health within private schools. Alaska Stat. §14.07.020(7). Safety drills must be conducted at least once a month. Alaska Stat. §14.03.140.
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Educational Recources
Statistics for At-Risk Alaska Teens
ADD/ADHD
- 8.1%
8.1 percent of children in Alaska, aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2016–2019).
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 17.7%
The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Alaska is 17.7 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
- 30.2%
Alaska ranks 45th with a suicide rate of 30.2 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/AK
DRUG USE
- 6.99%
In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD) nationwide. In Alaska, about 6.99% of adolescents in this age group experimented with illicit drugs, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
ALCOHOL USE
- 8.33%
Approximately 8.33% of teens in Alaska suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
TEEN VAPING
- 26.1%
Alaska ranks 18th among all states, with 26.1% 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 contact us if you are considering a military school or boot camp for your struggling teen. There are a variety of options that promote a long term solution for behavior modification. Alternative and therapeutic boarding schools can offer both a quality education as well as therapy services designed to address the root of the problem with your child. Military school and boot camp are not your only options for reversing the pattern of bad or concerning behavior. We offer a free consultation and assessment to get you on your way to putting your family back on track. Call us today to get started.