Boot Camps & Military Schools in Maryland

If your teen’s behavior has gone beyond the discipline you can provide, you may have considered a juvenile boot camp or military school as a solution. It is essential to understand the differences and requirements of these programs in order to make a selection that will best help your child. There are a variety of teen help programs available and our goal at Help Your Teen Now is to inform and educate you about all of your options. We offer a free phone consultation and an assessment for your teen in order to better help us guide you to the resources you need most.

To see if a military school for troubled teens is the best choice for your teen – Click Here or call Help Your Teen Now at 1-800-901-7347.

Boot Camps Are Not The Best Option for Troubled Teens from Maryland

There are many things you should know about military schools and juvenile boot camps before you decide to enroll your troubled teen. For instance, military schools are generally not willing to handle the needs of students who are involuntary and refuse to respect authority. These academic institutions are designed to train teens who are planning a career as a military officer. Juvenile boot camps were created as short-term programs whose strict rules and military structure were designed to scare teens into respecting authority. However, many of these camps have been closed down in recent years because of unregulated and often questionable methods. These programs may work temporarily, but studies have shown overwhelmingly that without further therapeutic treatment, they are a short-term solution at best. At Help Your Teen Now, we encourage parents to consider an alternative or therapeutic boarding school to combine an academic environment with therapeutic treatment to address the root of behavior problems. Contact us to discuss the options available in your area.

Maryland Regulatory Laws

While accreditation is optional for nonpublic schools, registration is mandatory as a Certificate of Approval from the Maryland State Board of Education. Legitimate church organizations are exempt from this requirement. However, the school must be registered with the state and present acceptable evidence of the church organization’s legal authority status. Annotated Code of Maryland, Education Article 2-206(e)(4). Maryland requires approval to operate “noncollegiate educational institutions.” This certificate is based on educational requirements, the adequacy of the facilities, appropriateness, standards, and personnel requirements. Annotated Code of Maryland, Education Article 2-206(e)

Instructors approved under COMAR 13A.09.09 (private pay) must hold a bachelor’s degree or 120 semester hour equivalent. Those teaching subjects other than English, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science are exempt from this requirement. COMAR 13A.09.09.06. The State Board of Education will establish minimum requirements for issuing diplomas in all nonpublic schools, and approved schools must have a curriculum reflective of those offered in public schools. COMAR 13A 09.09.07A(2).

Nonpublic schools must comply with applicable health, fire safety and zoning regulations. COMAR 13A.09.09.11. Nonpublic school employees who have access to students must undergo a criminal background check. Family Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 5, Part VI and Education Article 2-206.1

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