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Boot Camps & Military Schools in New Mexico

When teens make poor choices as a result of social, emotional or physical causes, it’s hard for parents to stand by and watch. If your teen is exhibiting risky behavior, it may be time to seek out professional help. At HelpYourTeenNow, we can provide you with information on therapeutic programs, such as military schools, boot camps and more. HelpYourTeenNow is a group of parents and professionals with lots of experience in residential therapeutic programs designed to help at-risk teens. HelpYourTeenNow offers any interested parents a free consultation, where we’ll assess your unique situation and then work with you on selecting the best program for your child.

Military Schools and Boot Camps in New Mexico

Decades ago, troubled teens were sent to boot camps and military schools to get straightened out, but today, experts agree that such programs are often more harmful than helpful. Military schools are academic institutions designed to prepare young men and women for college or service in the armed forces. Boot camps are punishing physical outdoor camps with a bad reputation for abuse and negligence. Neither of these programs will give your child the healing and help he or she needs. Avoid military schools and boot camps in favor of more therapeutic rehabilitation programs.

New Mexico Regulatory Laws

All juvenile residential facilities must be licensed by the New Mexico Department of Health and must meet the minimum state standards to remain in operation.

New Mexico private schools don’t need to be licensed or accredited, however, a school may apply for accreditation through the Public Education Department of New Mexico (22-2-2 D, G. NMSA 1978). Private school teachers do not need to be certified or licensed (Fe Community School v. State Bd. of Education, 518 P.2d 272 (N.M. 1974). Attendance records are mandatory for New Mexico private schools (22-12-7 NMSA 1978). Immunization records are also required for each student that attends (24-5-4 NMSA 1978). New Mexico’s Instructional Material Law allows private schools to use free instruction materials from the Public Education Department (22-15-1 through 22-15-14 NMSA 1978).

(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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New Mexico Regulatory Laws

All juvenile residential facilities must be licensed by the New Mexico Department of Health and must meet the minimum state standards to remain in operation.

New Mexico private schools don’t need to be licensed or accredited, however, a school may apply for accreditation through the Public Education Department of New Mexico (22-2-2 D, G. NMSA 1978). Private school teachers do not need to be certified or licensed (Fe Community School v. State Bd. of Education, 518 P.2d 272 (N.M. 1974). Attendance records are mandatory for New Mexico private schools (22-12-7 NMSA 1978). Immunization records are also required for each student that attends (24-5-4 NMSA 1978). New Mexico’s Instructional Material Law allows private schools to use free instruction materials from the Public Education Department (22-15-1 through 22-15-14 NMSA 1978).

(U.S. Department of Education, State Regulation of Private Schools, 2009)

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

Statistics for At-Risk New Mexico Teens

ADD/ADHD

  • 7.5%

7.5 percent of children in New Mexico, aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2016–2019).

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9489617/

TEEN PREGNANCY 

  • 21.9%

The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in New Mexico is 21.9 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

  • 19.6%

New Mexico ranks 43rd with a suicide rate of 19.6 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/NM

DRUG USE

  • 11.42%

In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In New Mexico, about 11.42% of adolescents in this age group reported using illicit drugs, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.

https://drugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/#new-mexico

ALCOHOL USE

  • 8.41%

Approximately 8.41% of teens in New Mexico suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).

https://drugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/#new-mexico

TEEN VAPING

  • 34%

New Mexico ranks 3rd among all states, with 34% 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.

https://www.addictionhelp.com/porn/statistics/

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!

Military schools and boot camps are not the answer when your teen exhibits out-of-control behavior. Other options, such as therapeutic boarding schools and residential treatment facilities give them a greater chance at success. HelpYourTeenNow provides interested parents and teens the information that can determine whether a program is more likely to be successful or if it doesn’t have a good rate of success. During the free phone consultation, HelpYourTeenNow will educate you, support you, and empower you to step in and make positive changes to your teen’s life.