Low Cost Boarding Schools

FREE AND LOW COST BOARDING SCHOOLS AND 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: April 2, 2024

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.

FOR LOW-COST SCHOOLS: If you represent a low-cost boarding school for at-risk adolescents and see an error in the info below, or if your school is not listed here, please send us your information, including tuition and other information as listed below, to listings@lowcostschools.com.  Listing here is free.

Troubled Teen Help

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 THE PHONE IS ONLY AVAILABLE MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 9:00-5:00

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

BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME of NORTH CAROLINA

LOCATION: 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 HOUSE

LOCATION: North Carolina
WEB: thebethanyhouseinc.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 VIRGINIA

LOCATION: 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 TOWN

LOCATION: 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 RANCH

LOCATION: 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 CHILDREN

LOCATION: 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 HOME

LOCATION: 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 HOME

LOCATION: 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 RANCH

LOCATION: 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 CAMP

LOCATION: 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 ACADEMY

LOCATION: 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 RANCH

LOCATION: 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 MINISTRIES

LOCATION: 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 FARM

LOCATION: 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 ACADEMY

LOCATION: 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 HARBOR

LOCATION: 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 FARM

LOCATION: 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 HOME

LOCATION: 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 HOME

LOCATION: 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 CHILDREN

LOCATION: 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

RODEHEAVER BOYS RANCH

LOCATION: 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 ACADEMY

LOCATION: 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 MINISTRIES

LOCATION: 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 HOME

LOCATION: 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 HOME

LOCATION: 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 RANCH

LOCATION: 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 SCHOOL

LOCATION: 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 HOMES

LOCATION: 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

BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS

TULSA BOYS HOME

LOCATION: 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 RANCH

LOCATION: 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 RANCH

LOCATION: 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 HOME

LOCATION: 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 SCHOOL

LOCATION: 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-REACH

LOCATION: 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

THERAPEUTIC BOARDING SCHOOLS — https://therapeuticboardingschools.org/

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.