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Therapeutic & Alternative Boarding Schools In Mississippi

Teenagers face immense pressure, from puberty changes to fitting in with their peers. Because some teenagers choose to engage in parental conflict and rebel against their authority, many parents of troubled teens find that therapeutic boarding schools provide the right blend of supervision and independence. At HelpYourTeenNow, we are dedicated to helping parents make the right decisions about alternative and therapeutic boarding schools.

Call now for a free consultation on your family situation and learn about some of the pros and cons of therapeutic boarding schools in your area. We have vast experience in dealing with at-risk teens because our parent network is comprised of people just like you who have had to make tough decisions concerning their teen’s future. Call HelpYourTeenNow for free advice from parents who know.

Mississippi Regulatory Laws

Residential care facilities, such as alternative boarding schools, therapeutic boarding schools and residential homes are regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health, which has legal authority granted by the Child Residential Home Notification Act 43-16-1 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. Basic regulations are set and enforced by the department.

There is no requirement for licensing or accreditation for Mississippi private schools, but such schools may request approval by the Mississippi State Board of Education (Miss. Code Ann. 37-17-7) and school standards are outlined in Nonpublic Schools Accountability Standards 2004, a policy document. Schools that seek approval from the state must employ certified teachers, while non-approved schools are not required to (Nonpublic Schools Accountability Standards 2004). The law exempts church schools and private schools from the Mississippi State Board of Health’s standards for food preparation (Miss. Code Ann. 41-3-15). There is also no state policy for testing, professional development or nursing and health.

 

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

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Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Mississippi Regulatory Laws

Residential care facilities, such as alternative boarding schools, therapeutic boarding schools and residential homes are regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health, which has legal authority granted by the Child Residential Home Notification Act 43-16-1 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. Basic regulations are set and enforced by the department.

There is no requirement for licensing or accreditation for Mississippi private schools, but such schools may request approval by the Mississippi State Board of Education (Miss. Code Ann. 37-17-7) and school standards are outlined in Nonpublic Schools Accountability Standards 2004, a policy document. Schools that seek approval from the state must employ certified teachers, while non-approved schools are not required to (Nonpublic Schools Accountability Standards 2004). The law exempts church schools and private schools from the Mississippi State Board of Health’s standards for food preparation (Miss. Code Ann. 41-3-15). There is also no state policy for testing, professional development or nursing and health.

 

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

Statistics for At-Risk Mississippi Teens

ADD/ADHD

  • 14.4%

14.4 percent of children in Mississippi, 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 

  • 27.9%

The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Mississippi is 27.9 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

  • 9%

Mississippi ranks 8th with a suicide rate of 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/MS

DRUG USE

  • 6.56%

In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In Mississippi, about 6.56% 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/#mississippi

ALCOHOL USE

  • 7.79%

Approximately 7.79% of teens in Mississippi suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).

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

TEEN VAPING

  • 21.4%

Mississippi ranks 29th among all states, with 21.4% 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!

Alternative and therapeutic boarding schools can transform at-risk teens from moody, depressed and unmotivated to independent and responsible citizens who achieve academic success and are prepared for life. With the right schools and the right approach, your teen can learn and develop skills to cope with the challenges ahead. HelpYourTeenNow is a leading parent advocate group that helps parents across the country assess their teen’s issues and find therapeutic and alternative boarding schools that are highly recommended, have a history of success and have been personally endorsed by the group. Call HelpYourTeenNow for free advice on this most important step in your teen’s life.