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Boot Camps & Military Schools in Ohio

If you are dealing with the stress of raising an out-of-control teenager, you may have considered military school or boot camp as an option. Deciding on full-time behavioral care for your child can be an overwhelming decision, and it is important to understand the requirements and goals of the various teen help programs available. At Help Your Teen Now, we can answer your many questions and guide you through choosing the facility that will most benefit your troubled teen. We offer a free phone consultation and family assessment in order to direct you to the resources that will help. Call us today to get started. Learn if a military school for troubled teens is the best program for your teen.

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

Military schools and boot camps are often touted as the solution to struggling teens, however the reality is quite different from what is portrayed in the movies. There are factors to consider that may keep these programs from being an effective fit for your troubled child. For instance, the strict regimen of military schools do not accommodate those who consistently flout authority. They are academic facilities for students who are preparing for service in the military. Boot camps, while employing a similar strict schedule and rigid rules, have gained a reputation for being unregulated and unsafe, with very short-term results to show for it. We strongly encourage parents to explore options that will address the therapeutic needs of their children, by choosing a facility that treats the root of the problem instead of just the symptoms. There are a variety of facilities, such as alternative and therapeutic boarding schools, that combine academics with long-term behavior modification. Contact us today to discuss the options in your area.

Ohio Regulatory Laws

Accreditation for nonpublic schools is optional in Ohio. A school may choose to become accredited and approved by the state board of education, or by completing the chartering process and complying with the Operating Standards for Ohio’s Schools, Ohio Admin. Code §§ 3301-35-01–3301-35-07 and §3301-35-11. Ohio Admin. Code§3301-35-12.

Instructors in chartered schools are not required to hold a teaching certificate as long as they have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Standards for teacher certification in non-chartered private schools allow for certification without further educational requirements for teachers who have attended Bible colleges and Bible institutes. Non-chartered, non-tax-supported schools are exempt from certification fees. ORC §3301.071

A non-chartered private school must offer a curriculum with the following subjects: language arts; geography, the history of the United States and Ohio, and national state, and local government; mathematics; science; health; physical education; the fine arts, including music; first aid, safety, and fire prevention; and other subjects as prescribed by the school. Ohio Admin. Code §3301-35-08. Potential applicants are subject to criminal checks before employment. ORC §3319.39.

Chartered private schools are allowed state allocations for 1) physician, nursing, dental, and optometry services; 2) speech and hearing diagnostic services; 3) diagnostic psychological services; 4) therapeutic psychological and speech and hearing services; and 5) guidance and counseling services. ORC §3317.06(B), (C), (D), (E) and (F)

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

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Ohio Regulatory Laws

Accreditation for nonpublic schools is optional in Ohio. A school may choose to become accredited and approved by the state board of education, or by completing the chartering process and complying with the Operating Standards for Ohio’s Schools, Ohio Admin. Code §§ 3301-35-01–3301-35-07 and §3301-35-11. Ohio Admin. Code§3301-35-12.

Instructors in chartered schools are not required to hold a teaching certificate as long as they have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Standards for teacher certification in non-chartered private schools allow for certification without further educational requirements for teachers who have attended Bible colleges and Bible institutes. Non-chartered, non-tax-supported schools are exempt from certification fees. ORC §3301.071

A non-chartered private school must offer a curriculum with the following subjects: language arts; geography, the history of the United States and Ohio, and national state, and local government; mathematics; science; health; physical education; the fine arts, including music; first aid, safety, and fire prevention; and other subjects as prescribed by the school. Ohio Admin. Code §3301-35-08. Potential applicants are subject to criminal checks before employment. ORC §3319.39.

Chartered private schools are allowed state allocations for 1) physician, nursing, dental, and optometry services; 2) speech and hearing diagnostic services; 3) diagnostic psychological services; 4) therapeutic psychological and speech and hearing services; and 5) guidance and counseling services. ORC §3317.06(B), (C), (D), (E) and (F)

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

Statistics for At-Risk Ohio Teens

ADD/ADHD

  • 10.4%

10.4 percent of children in Ohio, 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 

  • 17.6%

The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Ohio is 17.6 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

  • 9.6%

Ohio ranks 13th with a suicide rate of 9.6 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/OH

DRUG USE

  • 7.98%

In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In Ohio, about 7.98% 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/#ohio

ALCOHOL USE

  • 9.67%

Approximately 9.67% of teens in Ohio suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).

https://drugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/#ohio

TEEN VAPING

  • 29.8%

Ohio ranks 11th among all states, with 29.8% 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!

If you’re contemplating enrolling your troubled teen in a military school, contact us as soon as possible. Depending on your teen’s specific needs, therapeutic boarding schools, and residential treatment facilities might offer more suitable alternatives. These institutions are equipped to address a range of issues, including ADHD, RAD, substance use, and sexual behavior. At Help Your Teen Now, we provide complimentary family assessments and phone consultations to help identify the best-fit solution for your teen.