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Military Schools and Boot Camps in Arizona
When parents seek outside help for their troubled and at-risk teens, they often get advice from others telling them to place their child in military school or boot camp to scare teens out of their bad behavior. However, it’s important for parents like you to understand the different kinds of teen help programs out there in order to select the one that will best help your teen. At HelpYourTeenNow, we help parents just like you get informed about your options, and our free phone consultation will give you the knowledge you need to move forward.
Military Schools and Boot Camps Aren’t the Best Option for Troubled Teens
There are several types of teen help programs out there, but military schools and boot camps for teens are not what you see in the movies. Real military schools are military-style academic institutions that prepare students for officer service in the military, and are not meant to help at-risk teens. Boot camps are short-term, military-style remedial facilities with rigid schedules and tough discipline designed to scare kids into respecting authority. Generally, these are non-therapeutic and non-academic, and don’t really deal with the teen’s issues causing the behaviors. A good boot camp may be the first step toward a more long-term therapy program. At HelpYourTeenNow, we will work with you as you explore other options for your teen, such as working ranches, therapeutic boarding schools and alternative high schools.
Arizona Regulatory Laws
The Arizona Department of Health Services regulates and licenses boot camps, military schools, teen work ranches and wilderness camps in the state of Arizona. There is no public oversight of private schools in Arizona and 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 clearly 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
Approximately 8.2% of Arizona children are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD each year. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011 report) https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/prevalence.html
In 2017 among Arizona teens, there were 22 live births per 1,000 females aged 15-19. Arizona ranks 15th in the nation for teen pregnancy. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2009 Study). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/arizona/arizona.htm
Arizona ranks 20th in the nation for suicide, with 11.3 % of teens attempting suicide and 19.2% seriously considering it. (Center for Disease Control, 2017 Stats of the State, Arizona Report)
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/arizona/arizona.htm
https://nccd.cdc.gov/YouthOnline/App/Results.aspx?LID=AZB
A 2017 study determined that 33% of Arizona teens abuse alcohol while 20% of teens admit to binge drinking. 19% of Arizona teens use marijuana and 29% were offered, sold or given an illegal drug on school property. (Center for Disease Control, 2017 Arizona Report.) https://nccd.cdc.gov/YouthOnline/App/Results.aspx?LID=AZB
In 2017, U.S. Department of Justice reported 102 juvenile arrests for aggravated assault, 66 juvenile arrests for robbery, 666 juvenile arrests for larceny, 455 juvenile arrests for drug abuse and 38 juvenile arrests for weapons charges. (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2017).
https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/crime/qa05103.asp?qaDate=2017
For the 2014-2015 school year, Arizona reported a 77.4% high school graduation rate. (U.S. Department of Education, Graduation Rates 2010-2015) http://www.governing.com/gov-data/high-school-graduation-rates-by-state.html
Summary
If you are a parent dealing with a troubled teen and thinking about a military school or boot camp as a solution, talk to HelpYourTeenNow first. We provide a free phone consultation that will help assess your child’s needs and guide you to the programs that will actually help. Choosing a boot camp or military camp is risky—there are too many that skirt state licensing requirements, have no therapists on staff and engage in questionable methods. HelpYourTeenNow will guide you to other, more effective options for your family. Call for a family assessment and free consultation on taking those first steps to restoring your teen’s self-confidence and good behavior.
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