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Therapeutic & Alternative Boarding Schools In Iowa

Alternative and therapeutic boarding schools are designed for troubled teens who have gone beyond the reach of their parents help alone. While these schools can be the right solution for many, choosing which school can be a stressful commitment. Help Your Teen Now was created to be an advocate for parents who aren’t sure where to turn for trustworthy information on facilities and treatment options. Our expert team is ready to help you create a plan of action that is specific to your teens needs at no cost to you. Call us today and take the first step toward putting your family back together.

Iowa Regulatory Laws

Accreditation for nonpublic schools is optional, however those seeking accreditation must submit an application to the Department of Education the year before. Iowa Code §281.12. Teacher certification is required for all accredited schools (Iowa Code §280.2) and all schools must maintain adequate staffing. Iowa Code §280.14.

Accredited schools must implement and maintain a minimum educational program as detailed by the Iowa Board of Education. The program must be a “multicultural, gender fair approach.” Iowa Code §§256.11, 280.3. Nonpublic schools must incorporate career education as well as occupational education into their curriculum. Iowa Code §256.11b.

PNonpublic schools are not allowed to perform non-emergency medical services without a license or previous consent. Iowa Code §280.23. Two fire drills and two tornado drills must be held each semester. Warning systems must be installed and safety regulations must be inspected by the local fire department every two years. Iowa Code §100.31. Parents may receive tax credits for books and tuition in private schools. Iowa Code §422.12.

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

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Iowa Regulatory Laws

Accreditation for nonpublic schools is optional, however those seeking accreditation must submit an application to the Department of Education the year before. Iowa Code §281.12. Teacher certification is required for all accredited schools (Iowa Code §280.2) and all schools must maintain adequate staffing. Iowa Code §280.14.

Accredited schools must implement and maintain a minimum educational program as detailed by the Iowa Board of Education. The program must be a “multicultural, gender fair approach.” Iowa Code §§256.11, 280.3. Nonpublic schools must incorporate career education as well as occupational education into their curriculum. Iowa Code §256.11b.

PNonpublic schools are not allowed to perform non-emergency medical services without a license or previous consent. Iowa Code §280.23. Two fire drills and two tornado drills must be held each semester. Warning systems must be installed and safety regulations must be inspected by the local fire department every two years. Iowa Code §100.31. Parents may receive tax credits for books and tuition in private schools. Iowa Code §422.12.

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

Statistics for At-Risk Iowa Teens

ADD/ADHD

  • 9.8%

9.8 percent of children in Iowa, 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 

  • 13.3%

The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Iowa is 13.3 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

  • 13.1%

Iowa ranks 32nd with a suicide rate of 13.1 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/IA

DRUG USE

  • 7.66%

In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In Iowa, about 7.66% 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/#iowa

ALCOHOL USE

  • 11.29%

Approximately 11.29% of teens in Iowa suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).

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

TEEN VAPING

  • 20.1%

Iowa ranks 34th among all states, with 20.1% 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!

As soon as you call, we will give you a free evaluation for your teen to better help us recommend the groups and services that pertain to you. We are dedicated to adding only the most trustworthy and historically successful facilities to our recommendation list. We are not affiliated with anyone we endorse, so you can be sure that the advice you get from us is non-biased. We have done the research work for you, so you can concentrate on your family. Let us be your advocate on this difficult path because we want you to have full confidence in the choice you make. Call us today!