Identifying Problems at School and How Schools for Troubled Teens Can Help

The teenage years are known for being tough; tough on parents, tough on kids, tough on just about everyone. But, how tough is too tough? Sure, there are common problems that plague nearly every household or classroom that contains a teenager, but what problems are normal and what problems suggest a need for help? Identifying problems at school and then examining the situation at home is one surefire way to make sure that you, as a parent, are taking the appropriate next steps in correcting the behavior or problem. Being willing to admit when it’s outside of your scope of ability as a parent is the next step in seeking a greater solution that your teen will thank you for in the long run. So, what are the problems that you should be looking for, and how can a school for troubled teens really help?

Suffering Grades

One relatively easy problem to identify? A problem with academic performance. The key in identifying this problem successfully is making sure you take into account all possible reasons that he or she may not be succeeding in their efforts. First of all, can you be certain that due diligence is being put forth at home? How are studying habits and homework time? Next, how are his classmates doing? Is your teen in good company? If so, it may be a problem with the teacher. Lastly, how is the class taught? If your kid is a hands on learner, and his teacher is a known lecturer, it may help to meet with the teacher to see if any accommodations can be made. Once you’ve identified what the main problem is, you’ll be better suited to understand how to fix it. It may not come as a shock to you that a school for troubled teens might just be what he or she needs to boost the grades. Why? These schools typically give students one on one attention to ensure that proper instruction is taking place. No teen will fall through the cracks, and every one will be engaged and challenged with their respective preferred learning method. Boarding schools also set boundaries in place to ensure that kids are studying and completing homework and extra curricular activities as they should be.

Apathy

Apathy is something that many troubled teens display both at home and at school. While they may care about some things, they don’t care about the important things that you want them to care about – homework, tests, proper and appropriate socialization, chores and housework… many apathetic teens simply take an “I don’t care” attitude, leaving parents frustrated and resentful. If you find that your teen is apathetic toward life in general and appropriate discipline won’t change the attitude, consider sending him or her to a school for troubled teens. One on one attention in the classroom and beyond will help him to feel cared for, a sentiment not often felt when you’re lumped into a classroom with dozens of other students, all striving for the same goal. The staff at these schools will work to ensure that every child understands the why behind certain rules, principles, and standards, and will translate that into day to day practical living – in-school performance, homework, personal responsibility, and socialization. Your teen will be given ample reason and opportunity to prove that he cares at a school for troubled teens.

Isolation

Maybe you’re concerned because you don’t see your teen socializing healthily in the way that many other kids are – he prefers to be isolated more often than not, whether it be at lunch in the cafeteria, or at home in his room. Though certain personalities certainly require different levels of interaction, it helps to think about your teen, they’re behavior, and whether or not it’s healthy, long term. In some cases, depending on the severity, psychological evaluation may be helpful in determining next steps. In other cases, it may just be a matter of allowing your kid the opportunity to mingle and socialize with kids whom he considers more like himself. Schools for troubled teens will help your teen feel at home. First and foremost, teens are paired with roommates deemed a good fit by staff and family, and socialize regularly with other kids who grow to be close friends because of a tight knit, living situation. School becomes a lot more fun when you consider your classmates your friends, and friends are a lot easier to make when you see them often.

Poor Behavior

If your teen is having trouble in moral conduct and acts out often, that’s often a sign that something isn’t right, and maybe a school for troubled teens is the appropriate next step. Poor behavior stems from a number of things – a need for attention, apathy, a lack of discipline in the classroom or at home, and frustration or despair on the part of the teen. Any number of those things may be addressed at a boarding school, where there’s appropriate, consistent methods of discipline from instructors and staff who genuinely care. Psychological and home evaluations may be necessary in extreme cases, to determine that the issue doesn’t stem from a place that cannot be controlled by a change in schools. Otherwise, at a school for troubled teens, poor behavior is often easily remedied by clear rules, teachers and staff who care, appropriate socialization, and consistent discipline with healthy consequences. Whether you’ve identified one or many problems, the fact remains that sending your child to a school for troubled teens will only stand to help you with issue resolution.