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boarding schools for troubled teens In Montana
Help Your Teen Now is a parent advocacy group dedicated to helping families find solutions for their troubled teens. We know that the process of selecting an alternative or therapeutic boarding school program can be overwhelming and you don’t want to spend hours looking for the most effective answers to your questions and concerns. We have a full team standing ready to help you, and our organization offers comprehensive and trustworthy information on all of your options. We look forward to partnering with you as you endeavor to heal your family.
Do Schools for Troubled Teens in Montana Work?
Yes, therapeutic boarding schools and alternative programs in Montana can be effective when chosen carefully to match a teen’s specific needs. These schools combine academic support, therapy, and structured routines to help teens work through behavioral, emotional, or academic challenges. With Montana’s open landscapes and quieter communities, some families find the environment particularly grounding and less distracting than urban settings. Programs in the state can be especially helpful for teens who benefit from outdoor experiences or a change of pace.
For a broader view of options, see our guide to boarding schools for troubled teens.
When Should You Consider a School for Troubled Teens in Montana?
If your teen is showing ongoing issues like defiance, skipping school, anxiety, or risky behavior despite attempts at counseling or intervention at home, it may be time to consider a therapeutic school. Montana’s programs offer more than discipline—they provide therapy, structure, and life skills in a safe and nurturing environment. These schools can serve as a crucial turning point when local support systems are no longer enough.
Contact Help Your Teen Now for free guidance and tailored recommendations. We’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.
Montana Regulatory Laws
Accreditation may be requested by the superintendent of public instruction, but it is not required. Mont. Code Ann. §20-7-102. There are no requirements for licensing, registration or approval. A teaching certificate is required for all instructors at an accredited school. Public schools must provide a course of study that includes the same curriculum or instruction as those taught in a public school. Mont. Code Ann.§20-5-109(4). Accredited schools must meet the Program Foundation Standards of curriculum that are listed in the Administrative Rules of Montana 10-55, established by the Montana Board of Public Education. Mont. Code Ann. §20-7-101.
The Department of Health and Environmental Sciences will oversee regular sanitary inspections of of private school facilities. Mont. Code Ann. §50-1-203. Schools must hold at least eight disaster drills a year based on the hazards that pertain to the area. Mont. Code Ann.§§20-10401, 20-10402, 20-1-404. The sale of drugs within 1,000 feet of a private school is a criminal offense under Montana codes. Mont. Code Ann.§45-9-109.
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
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Educational Recources
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Montana Regulatory Laws
Accreditation may be requested by the superintendent of public instruction, but it is not required. Mont. Code Ann. §20-7-102. There are no requirements for licensing, registration or approval. A teaching certificate is required for all instructors at an accredited school. Public schools must provide a course of study that includes the same curriculum or instruction as those taught in a public school. Mont. Code Ann.§20-5-109(4). Accredited schools must meet the Program Foundation Standards of curriculum that are listed in the Administrative Rules of Montana 10-55, established by the Montana Board of Public Education. Mont. Code Ann. §20-7-101.
The Department of Health and Environmental Sciences will oversee regular sanitary inspections of of private school facilities. Mont. Code Ann. §50-1-203. Schools must hold at least eight disaster drills a year based on the hazards that pertain to the area. Mont. Code Ann.§§20-10401, 20-10402, 20-1-404. The sale of drugs within 1,000 feet of a private school is a criminal offense under Montana codes. Mont. Code Ann.§45-9-109.
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Educational Recources
Statistics for At-Risk Montana Teens
ADD/ADHD
- 9.1%
9.1 percent of children in Montana, aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2016–2019).
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 13.2%
The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Montana is 13.2 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
- 36.3%
Montana ranks 47th with a suicide rate of 36.3 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/MT
DRUG USE
- 11.63%
In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In Montana, about 11.63% of adolescents in this age group reported using illicit drugs, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
ALCOHOL USE
- 11.63%
Approximately 11.63% of teens in Montana suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
TEEN VAPING
- 30.2%
Montana ranks 9th among all states, with 30.2% 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!
Call us and we can help you craft a plan that is individualized specifically to address your child’s unique needs. We offer a free evaluation for your teen that will help us direct you toward the groups, resources and facilities that will be of most value to you. Our experienced professionals and volunteers are standing by to answer any and all of your questions. Our goal is to make this stressful process a little easier on you.
We have thoroughly checked the credentials and success rate of each organization we recommend. Because we are not financially affiliated to any facility or group that we support, you can be assured that you are getting the best, non-biased advice. Call us today to take that first step toward healing your child.