DIRECTORY OF AFFORDABLE THERAPEUTIC BOARDING SCHOOLS AND THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS FOR TROUBLED TEENS
Provided by: Best Choice Admissions Services

If you have a troubled teenager and low income, the low-cost boarding schools and free boarding schools are listed here which you may want to contact.
List Updated: November 16, 2023
IMPORTANT! If you are interested in one of these low-cost boarding schools or programs, please contact them directly. This website has no affiliation with them. Others have shared them with us, but we do not vouch for them nor endorse them, nor do we have any more information about them than is included here. Be sure to check them out carefully.

ALLEGANY BOYS CAMP LOCATION: Maryland WEB: alleganyboyscamp.org PHONE: 301-478-5721
Gender: Boys only Cost: $1,784/month, no scholarships, non-profit, assistance on a case-by-case basis Student Qualifications: Troubled boys, local only from homes within 4-5 hours away Status of Enrollments: Average wait 3-4 months Ages Served: 9-15 years old Length of Program: 18-24 months Residential or Day School: Live-in program. Students sent home every 6 weeks for extended family weekend.
ANCHOR ACADEMY LOCATION: Missouri WEB: anchoracademymo.com PHONE: 573-471-2900
Gender: Boys only Cost: $1200/month, plus $500 enrollment fee (sliding scale for single parents or w/multiple children) Student Qualifications: None Status of Enrollments: Unknown Ages Served: 17-24 years old Length of Program: Minimum of 12 months Residential or Day School: Residential
ANGELS’ COVE MATERNITY HOMELOCATION: Mt. Vernon, Illinois WEB: anchoracademymo.com PHONE: 573-471-2900
Gender: Female Cost: Adolescent: 10% of the family’s bring home income (flexible). Adult women: $50/month AND must save 30% of their income (for the adult women’s living). Student Qualifications: Prospective resident must the willing to come, not forced Status of Enrollments: No openings — Waitlist for an unknown length of time. Ages Served: 11-17, and adult women Length of Program: 12 months for adolescent. Can stay 3 months after baby is born for adults. Residential or Day School: Residential
BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME of NORTH CAROLINALOCATION: North Carolina WEB: bchfamily.org PHONE: 800-238-4269
Gender: All Cost: Call for specifics Student Qualifications: North Carolina residents only Status of Enrollments: Call for specifics Ages Served: Call for specifics Length of Program: Call for specifics Residential or Day School: Call for specifics
BETHANY’S HOUSELOCATION: North Carolina WEB: bethany.org PHONE: 800-454-0454 or 209-526-3342
Gender: Women Cost: Free Student Qualifications: Pregnant women Status of Enrollments: Call for specifics Ages Served: Adult age 18+ Length of Program: Call for specifics Residential or Day School: Call for specifics
BLOUNT YOUTH HOME (Alice Blount Academy)LOCATION: VIDALIA, GEORGIA WEB: blountyouthhome.com PHONE: (912) 537-7758
Gender: Boys Cost: Call for specifics Student Qualifications: Call for specifics Status of Enrollments: Call for specifics Ages Served: 10-18 years old Length of Program: Call for specifics Residential or Day School: Residential
BOYS HOME OF VIRGINIALOCATION: VIRGINIA WEB: boyshomeofva.org PHONE: (540) 965-7700
Gender: Boys Cost: Sliding scale. No set tuition. Student Qualifications: Call for specifics Status of Enrollments: Has current openings Ages Served: 6-17 years old Length of Program: 2-year commitment or upon graduation Residential or Day School: Residential
BOYS TOWNLOCATION: Various States WEB: boystown.org PHONE: (800) 448-3000
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: Call for specifics Student Qualifications: Call for specifics Status of Enrollments: Call for specifics Ages Served: Age range varies by location Length of Program: Call for specifics Residential or Day School: Residential
CAL FARLEY BOYS RANCHLOCATION: TEXAS WEB: calfarley.org PHONE: 800-657-7124 (must use applicant form at www.calfarley.org/admission/)
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: No stated cost Student Qualifications: Will not accept aggressive students, those requiring excessive medical or psychological care, nor sexual predators. Status of Enrollments: There are many thousands of applicants and few openings. Children accepted from families experiencing challenges relationally, socially, emotionally, or financially. Ages Served: Ages 5-18 (16.5 is the age limit for applying but can stay till 18) Length of Program: Average stay is 2.5 years Residential or Day School: Residential
CHEROKEE HOME FOR CHILDRENLOCATION: TEXAS WEB: chc4kids.org PHONE: 325-622-4201
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: No charge Student Qualifications: Texas residents only. No aggression/violence, no sexually acting out, no severe disruptiveness, must be manageable. Status of Enrollments: Full on the girls’ side. Boys side has openings. Ages Served: School age up to 17 years old Length of Program: Six plus months, but varies. Residential or Day School: Residential
CONNIE MAXWELL CHILDREN’S HOMELOCATION: SOUTH CAROLINA WEB: conniemaxwell.com PHONE: 800-868-2624
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: No cost Student Qualifications: South Carolina residents only, only mild behavioral issues. Status of Enrollments: Depends on age/gender Ages Served: Ages 5-16 (school age) Length of Program: Depends on the situation 1-90 days for crisis program/ OR indefinitely/until HS graduation and beyond if desired. Residential or Day School: Residential
COOKSON HILLS CHRISTIAN HOMELOCATION: OKLAHOMA WEB: cooksonhills.org PHONE: 918-948-6300
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: No one is turned away if they cannot afford Student Qualifications: Call Status of Enrollments: Call for availability Ages Served: 5-17 years old Length of Program: Six week segments for schooling, plus 5-week summer break. Residential or Day School: Residential
EDGEWOOD RANCHLOCATION: FLORIDA WEB: edgewoodranch.com PHONE: 407-295-2464
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: No one is turned away if they cannot afford Student Qualifications: Florida residents only (60-mile radius of the school). Voluntary children only. Status of Enrollments: Openings for girls 11-14 and boys 11-15 currently Ages Served: 7-17 years old Length of Program: 12-month commitment Residential or Day School: Residential
FAIR PLAY CAMPLOCATION: SOUTH CAROLINA WEB: fairplaycamp.org PHONE: 864-647-4311
Gender: Boys. Must agree to placement/have desire to change. Cost: No one is turned away if they cannot afford Student Qualifications: South Carolina & Surrounding States Status of Enrollments: No openings/6 month wait at least Ages Served: 8-15 years old Length of Program: 18 months roughly Residential or Day School: Residential
FRENCH CAMP ACADEMYLOCATION: MISSISSIPPI WEB: frenchcamp.org PHONE: 662-547-6482
Gender: Coed. Non-coed dorms. Does deal with different behavior issues. Cost: Day student $375/Boarding is income based Student Qualifications: South Carolina & Surrounding States Status of Enrollments: Current openings Ages Served: 1st-12th graders Length of Program: Stays until HS graduation Residential or Day School: Residential and Day
FLYING H YOUTH RANCHLOCATION: WASHINGTON WEB: flyingh.org PHONE: 509-658-2990
Gender: Boys only. Will NOT take sexual abusers, serious felons, chronic drug users. Cost: $2000-4000/month sliding scale based, scholarships dependent on donations. Student Qualifications: South Carolina & Surrounding States Status of Enrollments: o current openings. Call. Ages Served: 14-16.5 years old Length of Program: 18 months Residential or Day School: Residential
GOOD NEWS MINISTRIESLOCATION: INDIANA WEB: goodnewsministries.com/boys-home-2/ PHONE: 765-795-3722
Gender: Boys only Cost: Free Student Qualifications: Call Status of Enrollments: Call Ages Served: Call Length of Program: 9 months Residential or Day School: Residential
HAPPY HILL FARMLOCATION: TEXAS WEB: happyhillfarm.org PHONE: 254-897-4822
Gender: Coed. Cost: Day school K-5th is $7000/6-8th is $8400/ 9-12th is $9300. Student Qualifications: They work with those who’ve had difficult life circumstances but are wanting the opportunities their school provides. Status of Enrollments: No openings. Ages Served: K-12th grade Length of Program: Continuous Residential or Day School: Residential and Day school
HEARTLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMYLOCATION: MISSOURI WEB: hcaboardingschool.org PHONE: 660-284-6300
Gender: Coed. Cost: $1620 per year Student Qualifications: Call Status of Enrollments: No openings. Ages Served: K5-12th graders Length of Program: August-May Residential or Day School: Day school only
HOPE HARBORLOCATION: MINNESOTA/SOUTH DAKOTA WEB: hopeharbormn.org PHONE: 507-537-4525
Gender: Coed. Cost: Call for details Student Qualifications: Must live within driving distance. (boys and girls locations vary) Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: 12-17 years old Length of Program: Call for details Residential or Day School: Residential
MID-COURSE CORRECTION (weekend only)LOCATION: MICHIGAN WEB: midcoursecorrection.org PHONE: 810-227-0243
Gender: Coed. Cost: $195-$495 Student Qualifications: Mild behavioral issues Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: 6-18 year olds Length of Program: One weekend only Residential or Day School: Residential
MIRACLE FARMLOCATION: TEXAS WEB: miraclefarm.org PHONE: 979-836-0901
Gender: Boys Cost: Sliding scale fee Student Qualifications: Must be willing to go. Does NOT serve emotional disturbances or physical disabilities. Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: 13-17 years old Length of Program: A little over a year Residential or Day School: Residential
MOUNTAIN STATES CHILDREN’S HOMELOCATION: COLORADO WEB: msch.org PHONE: 303-776-6841
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: Will accept regardless of if parents can afford Student Qualifications: Will consider ADD/ADHD, ODD, Mood disorders, mild attachment issues, PTSD, depression/anxiety. Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: 12-17 years old Length of Program: Call for details Residential or Day School: Residential
OBLONG CHILDREN’S HOMELOCATION: ILLINOIS WEB: oblongchristianhome.org PHONE: 618-592-3633
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: Placement fee and monthly charges based on sliding scale. Student Qualifications: At risk, neglected or abused, behaviors must be appropriate for family setting and willing to cooperate. Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: 5-16 years old Length of Program: Minimum of 1 full school year stay. Residential or Day School: Residential
OKLAHOMA BAPTIST HOMES FOR CHILDRENLOCATION: OKLAHOMA WEB: obhc.org/bch-okc PHONE: 405-942-3800
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: Call for details Student Qualifications: Call for details Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: Ages 6-17 Length of Program: Call for details Residential or Day School: Residential
PINE HAVEN SCHOOLLOCATION: MONTANA WEB: pinehaven.net PHONE: 406-745-4545
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: Sliding scale Student Qualifications: Call for details Status of Enrollments: Long wait list Ages Served: Call for details Length of Program: Call for details Residential or Day School: Residential
REDEEMER’S BOARDING SCHOOLLOCATION: WASHINGTON WEB: redeemersboardingschool.com PHONE: 509-486-8888
Gender: Girls only Cost: $2,950month Student Qualifications: Call for details Status of Enrollments: Long wait list Ages Served: 10-18 years old Length of Program: Flexible length Residential or Day School: Residential
RODEHEAVER BOYS RANCHLOCATION: FLORIDA WEB: rbr.org PHONE: 386-328-1281
Gender: For boys who, because of parental death, desertion, divorce, disability or dysfunctional home situation, have no home of their own. Cost: Sliding scale Student Qualifications: Call for details Status of Enrollments: Yes openings Ages Served: Age 7-17 Length of Program: 12 month minimum Residential or Day School: Residential
SHENANDOAH BAPTIST ACADEMYLOCATION: TENNESSEE WEB: sbcministries.com/sba PHONE: 423-339-0103
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: Call for details Student Qualifications: Call for details Status of Enrollments: Yes openings Ages Served: Preschool to high school age Length of Program: Call for details Residential or Day School: Day school
SHERIDAN HOUSE FAMILY MINISTRIESLOCATION: FLORIDA WEB: sheridanhouse.org PHONE: 945-583-1552
Gender: Boys only Cost: $800/week Student Qualifications: Local only. Will accept behavior issues like suspensions, disruptive behavior, acting out etc. Status of Enrollments: No openings Ages Served: 6-10th graders Length of Program: 10-12 months Residential or Day School: Day school (boys renturn home nightly)
SHILOH CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S HOMELOCATION: MISSOURI WEB: shilohranch.org PHONE: 573-588-2191
Gender: Boys only Cost: No cost Student Qualifications: Will not take kids with need for medication regulation, mental health crisis/suicidal/homicidal, self-harm, need to intensive psych or therapeutic intervention, run away risks, chronic health issues, lower than 70 IQ or risk to others Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: Birth up to 18 OR graduation Length of Program: Indefinitely – until graduation or improvement Residential or Day School: Residential
SHOW ME CHRISTIAN YOUTH HOMELOCATION: MISSOURI WEB: showmehelpingkids.com PHONE: 660-347-5982
Gender: Boys only Cost: Call for details Student Qualifications: Call for details Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: Call for details Length of Program: Call for details Residential or Day School: Residential
STILL CREEK RANCHLOCATION: TEXAS WEB: stillcreekranch.org PHONE:(979) 589-3206
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: No required payments, but financial support is encouraged. Student Qualifications: NOT a behavior modification program. Will accept from out of state. Status of Enrollments: Waitlist Ages Served: Ages 10-14 (will not accept past 10th grade) Length of Program: Stay through HS graduation Residential or Day School: Residential
STILL WATERS CHRISTIAN BOARDING SCHOOLLOCATION: MISSOURI WEB: showmehelpingkids.com PHONE: 660-347-5982
Gender: Boys only Cost: $2500 down payment and $1800 a month- flexible Student Qualifications: Accepting of rebellion, anger, irresponsibility, poor behavior, etc. Status of Enrollments: Waitlist Ages Served: Ages 12-17 Length of Program: Minimum 12 months Residential or Day School: Residential
SUNRISE CHILDREN’S SERVICES (Therapeutic)LOCATION: KENTUCKY WEB: sunrise.org/therapeutic-residential-care/ PHONE: 502-538-1059
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: Call for details Student Qualifications: Works with Behavior and substance abuse issues. Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: Ages 12-18 years old Length of Program: Call for details Residential or Day School: Residential
TEXAS BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOMESLOCATION: TEXAS WEB: calm.org PHONE: 512-255-3668
Gender: Boys and girls Cost: Call for details Student Qualifications: Call for details Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: Call for details Length of Program: Call for details Residential or Day School: Residential

TULSA BOYS HOMELOCATION: OKLAHOMA WEB: tulsaboyshome.org PHONE: 918-245-0231
Gender: Boys Cost: Call for details Student Qualifications: Oklahoma residents only. Status of Enrollments: Call for details Ages Served: Ages 13-18 Length of Program: Call for details Residential or Day School: Residential
WATERSPRINGS RANCHLOCATION: ARKANSAS WEB: waterspringsranch.org PHONE: 870-772-7187
Gender: Coed Cost: Sliding scale Student Qualifications: For those who have been abused, neglected and abandoned. Status of Enrollments: No openings Ages Served: Birth to 12 years Length of Program: Minimum of 2 years stay Residential or Day School: Residential
WEST TEXAS BOYS RANCHLOCATION: TEXAS WEB: wtbr.org PHONE: 325-949-1936
Gender: Coed Cost: Sliding scale. $2,500/mo. Student Qualifications: Texas residents and bordering states accepted. Will not accept if child has had 2 or more placements (hospitals etc), recent suicidal ideations not accepted, amongst other things. Status of Enrollments: Waitlist Ages Served: Ages 11-17 Length of Program: 12 month minimum Residential or Day School: Residential, but NOT a boarding school. Basic care facility.
WESTVIEW BOYS HOMELOCATION: OKLAHOMA WEB: westviewboyshome.com PHONE: 580-688-9281
Gender: Boys only. Cost: Operate on sliding scale. No one turned away. Student Qualifications: Will work with those who have issues with school, authority, self discipline, or other similar issues. Status of Enrollments: Waitlist Ages Served: Ages 12-18 Length of Program: 12 month minimum encouraged Residential or Day School: Residential
WILL LOU GRAY OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLLOCATION: SOUTH CAROLINA WEB: willougray.org PHONE: 803-896-6480
Gender: Coed Cost: No tuition cost Student Qualifications: Residents of SC and legal residents of US. Voluntary only. Status of Enrollments: Call Ages Served: Ages 16-19 Length of Program: Trimester Residential or Day School: Residential
YOUTH-REACHLOCATION: TEXAS WEB: youth-reach.org PHONE: 281-459-4555
Gender: Boys/men only. Cost: No cost Student Qualifications: Voluntary only. Will accept anywhere in the US. Status of Enrollments: Call Ages Served: Ages 12-17 Length of Program: indefinite. Typically 12-24 months Residential or Day School: Residential
OTHER PROGRAMS (SHORT TERM AND YOUTH JOBS):
JOB CORPS (Free – NATIONWIDE) Job Corps is a free education and vocational skills training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job. For eligible youth at least 16 years of age, Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life. If you are interested in placing your teen in a Job Corp program in your area, call (800) 733-JOBS or (800) 733-5627. An operator will provide you with information about Job Corps, place you in touch with the admissions counselor closest to where you live, and mail you an information packet about the Job Corp program.
FREE DRUG PROGRAM (San Antonio, TX)(WEB: www.pdap.com/sahome.htm)
YOUTH BUILD USA –In YouthBuild programs, unemployed and under-educated young people ages 16-24 work toward their GED or high school diploma while learning job skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people. To find a location near you, call 617-623-9900.
NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CHALLENGE — (40 locations) (Coed, age 16-18) A preventive non-religious youth-at-risk program, targets unemployed, drug-free, and law-free high school dropouts. Core components of the program are citizenship, academic excellence (GED/high school diploma attainment), life-coping skills, community service, health and hygiene, skills training, leadership/followership, and physical training. The five-month residential phase is followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from each youth’s community (WEB: www.ngyf.org/)
OTHER HELPFUL DIRECTORIES
BEST THERAPEUTIC BOARDING SCHOOLS — https://besttherapeuticboardingschools.com/
CHRISTIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS — https://christianboardingschools.org/
PATHWAYS COUNSELING — OUTPATIENT COUNSELING ONLY – (WEB: bchfs.com/counseling-services/) Ph: 618-382-4164
SAMHSA — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Online directory to help locate treatment facilities for adolescents and adults. Call 800-662-HELP; 1-877-767-8432 (Spanish); (WEB: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/)
FOR FAMILIES WITH TRI-CARE MILITARY INSURANCE Residential Treatment Programs for Military Families utilizing Tri-Care Insurance: https://www.tricaredirectories.com/LISTINGS/mainRES.htm FOR MEDICAID or STATE INSURANCE FAMILIES Medicaid recipients may attempt to get a list of programs that will work with their insurance directly from their State’s Medicaid Office:
1. Call Member Services – the Member Services number is located on the back of the Medicaid insurance card – ask for their list of preferred providers for Residential Treatment Centers, both in and out of their coverage area.
2. Do not let Medicaid ask to pre-qualify the student or patient over the phone – just request that they provide you with their list of programs, or website address where providers are listed.
3. Inquire Directly – programs accepting Medicaid often require that the child meets the medical necessity requirements for coverage. Then, the program will begin to act as the family advocate to get funding for the child’s stay. However, this can take months. Inquiring directly through Medicaid may save a 4-month wait to be evaluated.
Some states post providers who work with Medicaid on a webpage, please search for your state’s Medicaid providers via the Internet. If your child has been hospitalized for crisis stabilization or short-term treatment, ask the hospital for a social worker who can assist you in finding longer-term placement using Medicaid services.
IMPORTANT! If you are interested in one of these programs, please contact them directly. This website has no affiliation with them. Others have shared them with us, but we do not vouch for them nor endorse them, nor do we have any more information about them than is included here. Be sure to check them out carefully.