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Boot Camps & Military Schools in South Dakota
When parents of troubled teens seek out a residential treatment program, many look for military schools and boot camps. However, these programs are just a small part of the broad spectrum of treatment programs for juveniles. HelpYourTeenNow has built up a vast network of resources on teen help facilities that we are happy to share with parents who are seeking answers. Instead of a boot camp or military school, consider alternative programs that have a long-term enrollment with professionals working with the teens and a heavily supervised atmosphere. HelpYourTeenNow is a parent advocate group that offers free consultations for parents like you who are looking seriously into a residential treatment program for their at-risk children.
Military Schools and Boot Camps Aren’t the Best Option for Troubled Teens
Military schools are academic schools that focus on college preparation and don’t deal with at-risk teens in a therapeutic manner. Boot camps are private programs often set in rugged, outdoor locations with staffers who act like drill sergeants. These highly physical, strictly structured boot camps also don’t focus on resolving the underlying issues that cause the teen’s rebellious, harmful and defiant behavior. Most experts agree that military schools and boot camps are not the best choices for at-risk teens and their parents seeking therapy.
South Dakota Regulatory Laws
In South Dakota, residential care facilities for children and teenagers are licensed and regulated by the South Dakota Department of Social Services Child Protection Services. Each facility must meet the state standards of care, sanitation and safety.
The South Dakota Department of Education can grant accreditation to a private school as long as it meets eligibility standards set by the state (S.D. Codified Laws §13-3-47). Unlike other states, South Dakota requires private schools that are accredited to hire certified teachers (S.D. Codified Laws §13-1-12.1) and class sizes cannot be more than 22 students. Non-accredited schools are not subject to this requirement. (S.D. Codified Laws §13-27-3). The curriculum for private schools must meet state academic standards (S.D. Codified Laws §13-3-48). The state also requires private school students to take annual national standardized tests (S.D. Codified Laws §13-27-3).
(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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South Dakota Regulatory Laws
In South Dakota, residential care facilities for children and teenagers are licensed and regulated by the South Dakota Department of Social Services Child Protection Services. Each facility must meet the state standards of care, sanitation and safety.
The South Dakota Department of Education can grant accreditation to a private school as long as it meets eligibility standards set by the state (S.D. Codified Laws §13-3-47). Unlike other states, South Dakota requires private schools that are accredited to hire certified teachers (S.D. Codified Laws §13-1-12.1) and class sizes cannot be more than 22 students. Non-accredited schools are not subject to this requirement. (S.D. Codified Laws §13-27-3). The curriculum for private schools must meet state academic standards (S.D. Codified Laws §13-3-48). The state also requires private school students to take annual national standardized tests (S.D. Codified Laws §13-27-3).
(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 South Dakota Teens
ADD/ADHD
- 6.7%
6.7 percent of children in South Dakota, aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2016–2019).
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 19.3%
The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in South Dakota is 19.3 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
- 33.7%
South Dakota ranks 46th with a suicide rate of 33.7 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/SD
DRUG USE
- 7.09%
In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In South Dakota, about 7.09% of adolescents in this age group reported using illicit drugs, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
ALCOHOL USE
- 8.51%
Approximately 8.51% of teens in South Dakota suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
TEEN VAPING
- 23.9%
South Dakota ranks 22nd among all states, with 23.9% 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!
Military schools and boot camps are generally not recommended by experts as long-term solutions for at-risk teens. HelpYourTeenNow is ready to provide you with guidance via a free phone consultation and point you toward programs that have a proven record of success. We are not affiliated with any schools or programs—instead, we rely on our network of parents and experts who have experience in the teen help industry. When you’ve done everything you can do and your teen still needs help, contact us at HelpYourTeenNow.