How to Find a Boarding School for a Child With a Criminal Record

A boarding school is a place where students both live and study. Many juvenile-crime experts believe boarding schools are a viable option for juvenile delinquents, as they separate the juveniles from their possibly destructive peer group at home. In addition, many boarding schools enforce strict discipline with an emphasis on appropriate social behavior.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Therapist

1. Research boarding schools designed specifically for juvenile offenders. The Family First Aid Web site has a list of schools to get you started (see Resources below). You can also contact local law-enforcement officials for advice.
2. Narrow your list to a few schools and call the appropriate administrators. You'll want to know about the school's average success rate. Those that are reluctant to give you a straight answer may not have the success rate you desire.
3. Speak to parents who have children enrolled in the schools you're considering. Administrators should be able to put you in contact with parents of current students.
4. Take a tour of the facilities to make sure they meet your expectations. This is also a good way to compare new students and soon-to-be graduates.
5. Balance emotion and logic when making your final decision. While it's best to avoid making a decision when you're upset and frustrated, you can't choose a boarding school solely on logic. You need to feel good about the school, too.
6. Contact a therapist as soon as your child leaves. Many parents harbor guilt over their child's delinquent record and develop a sense of loneliness once the child has left. A therapist can help you come to terms with these feelings so you can better focus on the well-being of your child.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that you and your child have the right to privacy when choosing a boarding school. No one has the right to know your reasons for sending your child to a boarding school or have access to your child's crime record, other than the institution you ultimately select.
• Don't use boarding school as a threat to correct delinquent behavior. Threats can have the opposite psychological effect, causing some teens to indulge in even-riskier behavior in an attempt to "live it up" while they can.

Who Can Help: