Parenting can really be tough especially when kids are transitioning from “teen-age” to youth, they start exhibiting some level of disobedience, they are not that “sweet baby” you used to know again, they are more rebellious, and now give more attention to their gadgets. In fact, some of them even go as far as being bullies, drinking, smoking, getting expelled, being depressed, etc.
One thing you should know is that you’re not alone, lots of families have times they struggle to raise their kids. In fact, 11.2% of Florida kids between the ages of 4-17 are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD; Around 17% of Florida teen girls had alcohol before turning 13; and Florida ranks 28 of all the states in teen suicides.
But that doesn’t mean we should give up on them, right? And, the good news is that there is hope, in therapeutic boarding schools in Florida.
However, even though we know that boarding schools for troubled youth will help to recover them, the cost is quite expensive and continues to increase as time goes on.
The not-so-good news is that there are not so many free boarding schools for troubled youth in Florida, in fact, there is just one. But the bright side is that most – perhaps all – therapeutic boarding schools for troubled youth in Florida provide scholarships or other financial assistance programs that can help you to finance the education of your kid, and we also listed these schools.
Also, it would be nice if you go through some of these free government boarding schools in the United States, perhaps you’ll find a suitable school for your kid there.
Before we list them, let’s mention some benefits of attending any of these boarding schools.
Benefits of Boarding Schools for Troubled Youth in Florida
A. Withdrawal
A boarding school helps kids to abstain from his/her toxic friends, avoid screen time, change their environment, and focus more on themselves and their mental stability. They might fight their new change at the beginning but they will adapt with time and it will become part of them as time goes on.
B. Mental Healing
The truth is, if you can change someone’s mindset, you have changed the person’s personality. That is what your kid will gain, since they have withdrawn from their peers and gadget, they will start having mental healing because people around them and their teachers will treat them with love, which helps them to see the world differently.
C. Peace
Usually, a troubled teen has had lots of dysfunction with their family, and this usually stairs up their emotion to anger, or doing silly things. So, staying in a boarding school helps them to abstain from family, and only gives room to letter exchange, and intermittent visits, which reduces this pressure and introduces calmness and peace.
It even helps the family to start bonding together again, because there will be a new level of viewing their relationships.
Free Boarding Schools for Troubled Youth in Florida
1. Lakeland Grace Academy
- Location: 6740 S Carter Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813, United States
Lake Grace Academy Christian Boarding School for Girls Who Are Struggling is the only free boarding school for troubled youth in Florida. It is an all-girls Christian school that provides students with the tools they need to become leaders and overcome behavioral difficulties in their lives.
One of the ways they use to restore troubled girls is by providing their students with individual, group, and family therapy which deals with the underlying issues behind their behaviors. The major issues Lakeland Grace Academy encounters include self-esteem issues, academic failure, rebellion, anger, defiance, depression/suicidal thoughts, deceitfulness, manipulation, promiscuity, drug issues, and eating disorders.
So what the school also does is make counseling part of their regular activities in school.
Boarding Schools for Troubled Youth in Florida Funded by Scholarship
2. Shepherd’s Hill Academy
For generations, this school has been helping boys and girls between the ages of 12-17 to heal and recover from any of the addictive and behavioral issues that can affect youth today. And, their success is attributed to the preeminence of a Christian-Boarding School approach.
The school doesn’t only provide scholarships to help pay for their fees, but they also provide insurance coverage, payment plans, and other resources. Their scholarship ranges from $3,000-$5,000.
3. Timothy Hill Academy
This school provides a therapeutic boarding school exclusively for boys between the ages of 13-17, and this includes adopted boys. Through their “Work Sharp™,” they provide vocational education and personal mentoring.
As a non-profit school, their fees are affordable, and they still provide scholarships and other financial aid programs to enable you to fund your kid’s education.
4. Haven Wood Academy
This school is a therapeutic Academy for girls, and they give professional therapy as well as academic guidance to teens who struggle with emotional and behavioral issues. Their financial assistance includes Medicaid Insurance, Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) Funding, and Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
5. Liahona Academy
This is an all-boys boarding school for troubled teens in Florida that blends academics, therapy, recreation, and life skills to create a comprehensive program designed to help troubled boys heal. The school aligns with a financing program to help parents obtain the funding needed to get their son’s help.
Conclusion
You must have noticed that some of these schools in FL provide financial aid to help parents fund their kids’ education. Moreover, if there will be more free boarding schools for troubled youth in Florida in the future, we promise to update this list and still notify you.
