Location Page
Therapeutic & Alternative Boarding Schools In Massachusetts
It can be stressful when a troubled teen needs full-time care beyond that which a parent can provide. Selecting an alternative or therapeutic boarding school is an overwhelming process and it can be difficult to know where to start. Help Your Teen Now is a resource agency and advocacy group for parents just like you. Our mission is to take the guesswork out of selecting a facility and provide reputable information for those seeking the best treatment option for their child. Our knowledgeable team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the process. We want you to feel confident in your chosen facility, and we are committed to helping you get there. Call us today to discuss our free services.
Massachusetts Regulatory Laws
There are no requirements for Accreditation, Registration or Licensing for private schools in Massachusetts. Approval is mandatory and requires proof that nonpublic schools equal the instruction, curriculum and progress of public schools. Mass. Gen. L. Ch. 76, §1. Private schools do not require official certification for their teachers.
There is no official mandate for the curriculum of a nonpublic school in Massachusetts, however, it is generally understood that courses should be taught with “thoroughness and efficiency” Mass. Gen. L. Ch. 76, §1.
Nonpublic schools are required to educated all students on the statewide anti-hazing policy (Mass. Gen. L. ch. 269, §19)and criminal background checks shall be performed on all employees and volunteers with access to students. Mass. Gen. L. ch. 71, §38R.
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Request Free Admissions Information
Educational Recources
Request Free Admissions Information
Massachusetts Regulatory Laws
There are no requirements for Accreditation, Registration or Licensing for private schools in Massachusetts. Approval is mandatory and requires proof that nonpublic schools equal the instruction, curriculum and progress of public schools. Mass. Gen. L. Ch. 76, §1. Private schools do not require official certification for their teachers.
There is no official mandate for the curriculum of a nonpublic school in Massachusetts, however, it is generally understood that courses should be taught with “thoroughness and efficiency” Mass. Gen. L. Ch. 76, §1.
Nonpublic schools are required to educated all students on the statewide anti-hazing policy (Mass. Gen. L. ch. 269, §19)and criminal background checks shall be performed on all employees and volunteers with access to students. Mass. Gen. L. ch. 71, §38R.
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Educational Recources
Statistics for At-Risk Massachusetts Teens
ADD/ADHD
- 10.2%
10.2 percent of children in Massachusets, aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2016–2019).
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 6.1%
The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Massachusets is 6.1 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
- 5.9%
Massachusets ranks 4th with a suicide rate of 5.9 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/MA
DRUG USE
- 11.11%
In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In Massachusets, about 11.11% 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/#massachusetts
ALCOHOL USE
- 10.90%
Approximately 10.90% of teens in Massachusetts suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
https://drugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/#massachusetts
TEEN VAPING
- 32.2%
Massachusets ranks 6th among all states, with 32.2% 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!
There are many factors to consider when selecting an alternative or therapeutic boarding school for your teen. Call us to get started with a free evaluation of your child. This will help us direct you toward the resources that are most pertinent to your needs. We want you to feel confident in the groups and services we recommend, and we assure you that we are not affiliated with them in any way. Our advice is based on nearly a decade of advising families just like yours. Whether you have questions about paperwork or specific facilities, we are on hand to help you. You no longer have to walk this difficult path alone. Let us be your advocate and take the first steps toward healing your family.