Parents hoping to improve a wayward child's behavior will often examine the types of schools that offer behavior-modification programs. This type of school can be a military or a boot camp school and will sometimes involve the parent in the modification program. In these programs, the child will learn to make better decisions and the parent will be given advice and learn techniques to help him. These schools will often include rewards or consequences for the child's behavior and will sometimes include therapy or treatment. Boarding schools are ideal for behavior modification since the child will not be in the environment where he learned the behaviors that need to be corrected.
A boarding school or military school with a residential treatment center, such as the Diamond Ranch Academy in Utah, is one type of school that treats drug abuse and addiction in teens. These schools have qualified medical doctors, counselors and psychologists on staff. The environment is very important to the recovery of troubled teens that undergo drug-abuse treatment. The school's success in treating addiction should be comparable to a treatment center that is not a boarding school.
The types of boot camp or boarding schools with programs that focus on interaction with horses or equine therapy are often sought for teens with mental health issues or emotional problems. Equine therapy is thought to build trust and stronger relationships. The teens are guided by a therapist certified in equine therapy. The therapy decreases stress, anger, hostility and anxiety, and it improves social function. Schools may also focus programs on interaction with other animals.
Military schools are very often the type of school that teaches life skills through regimentation. These schools teach teens study methods and problem-solving strategies that help them succeed in higher education and in the workforce. The teens also learn workplace skills and ethics through work or chores at the school. Some military schools also teach young people leadership and effective communication, and provide vocational training. These types of military boarding schools often do not teach military tactics or drill at all, and many do not offer ROTC programs. Their focus is self-discipline.
The type of school that teaches Christian values will often be nondenominational and not teach doctrine but will focus on Bible principles. These schools usually don't require the teen to be involved in a Christian religion, so Buddhists and those of other non-Christian sects are welcomed. The teens will attend church regularly and set aside time to study spiritual material. They will be taught to treat each other kindly and with respect. These types of schools may or may not have treatment or behavioral programs, but a healthful lifestyle will be reinforced through good daily habits and good behavior.