The Georgia Department of Education's Alternative Education Program (AEP) assists children who require some flexibility to address challenges. Troubled girls may benefit from this program if their needs do not exceed the resources of the local school. The Alternative Education Program provides for an in-school suspension program, a disciplinary alternative education program, a school-community guidance center, a community-based alternative education program, and other alternative education program models that otherwise meet the requirements of the State Board of Education Rule 160-4-8-.12, Alternative Education Programs.
Mandated by the Georgia Department of Education, Magnet Schools are another resource available to troubled girls, as they offer a wide range of distinctive education programs. Some Magnet Schools emphasize academic subjects, such as math, science, technology, language immersion, visual and performing arts and humanities, all designed to meet the needs of youth from diverse racial backgrounds. These would be particularly helpful for girls who are academically gifted but not challenged in their current school setting and whose challenges are minimal enough that a change of school environment is a sufficient intervention.
Fort Stewart is located in Brems Barracks on Fort Gordon, near Augusta, Georgia, and serves youth from all over the state. This program offers a preventative, rather than remedial, youth-at-risk program. The core curriculum of the program includes citizenship, academic excellence (GED attainment), life-coping skills, community service, health and hygiene, skills training, leadership and physical training. There is a five-month residential phase followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from the youth's home community.
Located in Gainesville, Georgia, the Eckerd Academy is a school that aims to support troubled youth. The Eckerd Academy accepts both boys and girls from ages 10 to 18 years. This school offers a small student/teacher ratio of 10:1, state-certified teachers with specialized experience working with students with emotional and behavioral problems, diagnostic/prescriptive reading and mathematics curriculum that enables students to work at virtually any level, including advanced placement courses and experiential field trips.
Pathways to Excellence is a boarding school for troubled teens located on the outskirts of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Pathways to Excellence accepts youth ages 13 to 17 who are suffering with emotional or behavioral problems. This boarding school provides a structured schedule, extensive supervision for struggling youth who are making self-limiting or self-destructive choices, personal development courses and character-building seminars, specialized staff and extra-curricular activities geared at building upon the youth's talents.