Types of Boarding Schools

This guide to the different types of boarding schools will give you a broad overview of what to expect from each type of school. We also list pros and cons for the different types of schools to help you decide what type of specialization might be most beneficial to your child. CLICK ON the type school to learn more about what they offer.

Boarding School Categories		Schools for Children with Specific Diagnoses
All-Boys Boarding Schools > Schools that only enroll boys.		ADD / ADHD Boarding Schools > Specialize in a curriculum designed to be most effective for kids with attention deficit. Many program focus on experiential education as this works well with ADD kids.
All-Girls Boarding Schools > Schools that only enroll girls.		Anger Management > Therapeutic schools that help teens with anger management issues.
Arts > Schools that offer students an arts focus.		Asperger's Syndrome > Specialty boarding schools for kids with Asperger's syndrome. The curriculum is designed to improve not only academic performnce but social skills and independent living skills.
Co-Ed Boarding Schools > Co-educational boarding schools that enroll both boys and girls.		Attachment Disorder / Adoption Issues > Some therapeutic boarding schools offer special services for teens who are dealing with identiy issues due to being adopted.
College Prep Boarding Schools > Schools that focus on preparation for college.		Autism > Schools that specialize in educating kids witih autism as well as improving their social functioning and communication skills.
Christian Boarding Schools > These schools have a Christian background and may offer Bible study along with academics.		Bi-Polar > Some therapeutic boarding schools will offer specialized care for teens with mood disorder
Christian Therapeutic Boarding Schools >		Depression > Therapeutic boarding schools that help teens with depression
Emotional Growth Schools > These schools specialize in helping teens with emotional problems such as depression while they pursue their academics and prepare for college.		Eating Disorders > Schools that also offer treatment for eating disorders so the student can stay on track academically during recovery
Junior High Boarding Schools > These schools focus on the middle school student in grades 6-8.
Military Schools > Boarding schools with a military component such as ROTC		Learning Differences or Disabilities > Specialized schools for kids with learning differences from ADD to Asperger's to developmental disabilities
Other Religious > There are boarding schools that focus on other specific religions such as Judaism, Mormonism, or very specific Christian religions (e.g., Baptist)		Obsessive Compulsive Disorder > Therapeutic schools can often work with teens with OCD while keeping them on track academically.
Science Schools for teens who are interested in majoring in Science in college		Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Special Needs Schools > These school have the expertize to help children with special needs and range from schools that help kids with learning differences to profound disabilities		Residential Treatment Programs > Many teen treatment programs also offer academics so your teen can earn credits while being treated for substance abuse or behavioral/emotional problems.
Sports These schools offer a strong sports program for student athletes		Schools for Children with Behavioral Issues
Therapeutic Boarding Schools > Specialization in children and teens who need a therapeutic program along with their academics due to behavioral or emotional issues		Schools for Children with Academic Issues
Weight Loss Schools > Schools for overweight or obese children or teens		Schools for Children with Social Issues
Schools with a Wilderness Component > These schools offer an initial wilderness therapy experience designed to get your teen in the right frame of mind to make real changes. These tend to be therapeutic schools.		Schools for Students Over 18 years old > For teens 18 or over who need a structured environment to help them complete high school or start college and develop independent living skills.