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Boot Camps & Military Schools in Missouri
You may feel like putting your troubled teen into a boot camp is the only option you have when he or she is making bad choices when it comes to friends, substance abuse and school. Military schools and boot camps may seem like attractive options because they promise quick fixes for your teen’s problems. However, HelpYourTeenNow can assist you in looking at all your options when it comes to helping your at-risk teen with a truly therapeutic program that will build a solid foundation for success. Our free consultation gives you the information you need to determine whether boot camps are right for your child.
Military Schools and Boot Camps Aren’t the Best Option for Troubled Teens
When parents envision a teen help program, they often feel that a hard-core, paramilitary atmosphere will force their child to shape up and pay attention. However, studies show that boot camps do not provide long-term therapeutic benefits for teens with issues and in some cases, can make behaviors worse. True military schools are designed to prepare teens for officer positions in the military and will not accept students with behavior issues. There are a range of other programs out there designed to provide at-risk teens with the structure, supervision, therapy and rehabilitation they need to become productive citizens. Troubled teens will find more success with alternative programs rather than boot camps.
Missouri Regulatory Laws
When it comes to licensing residential programs for teens, the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services monitors compliance and enforces the state standards. The Residential Program Unit of this division regulates all public and private residential facilities, including military schools and boot camps.
Teachers don’t need to be certified to teach in Missouri private schools (Mo. Rev. Stat.§168.071), and there are no licensing requirements nor accreditation requirements. As long as the school teaches about state history, U.S. history and the Constitution of the United States, the private school does not need to follow any established curriculum (Mo. Rev. Stat. §170.011). A private school must ask for and keep track of current immunization records (Mo. Rev. Stat. §167.181(4).
(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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Missouri Regulatory Laws
When it comes to licensing residential programs for teens, the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services monitors compliance and enforces the state standards. The Residential Program Unit of this division regulates all public and private residential facilities, including military schools and boot camps.
Teachers don’t need to be certified to teach in Missouri private schools (Mo. Rev. Stat.§168.071), and there are no licensing requirements nor accreditation requirements. As long as the school teaches about state history, U.S. history and the Constitution of the United States, the private school does not need to follow any established curriculum (Mo. Rev. Stat. §170.011). A private school must ask for and keep track of current immunization records (Mo. Rev. Stat. §167.181(4).
(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 Missouri Teens
ADD/ADHD
- 10.3%
10.3 percent of children in Missouri, aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2016–2019).
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 18.8%
The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Missouri is 18.8 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
- 12.3%
Missouri ranks 28th with a suicide rate of 12.3 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/MO
DRUG USE
- 7.46%
In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In Missouri, about 7.46% of adolescents in this age group reported using illicit drugs, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
ALCOHOL USE
- 9.17%
Approximately 9.17% of teens in Missouri suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
TEEN VAPING
- 20.7%
Missouri ranks 32nd among all states, with 20.7% 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!
Contact HelpYourTeenNow for services that are specifically designed to provide parents like you with as much information as possible about military schools and boot camps, along with other options. We’ll assess your family situation and give you all the resources you need to make a wise decision. Boot camps and military schools are designed for short-term fixes, not long term solutions. HelpYourTeenNow is ready to assist you with the process of healing your family through residential treatment programs for teens, so call today for a free consultation.