Christian boarding schools for boys can be life-savers for families who have a teen that is struggling with self-destructive behaviors. No parent wants to see their child struggle. And when that struggle spirals him into a life-threatening pattern, it can be unbearable to watch.

Whether drugs, alcohol, sex, illegal activity, mental disorders, or a combination of them is the grip, it doesn’t matter – they can all lead victims down the same destructive path, and in some cases premature death. You’ve thrown every life ring you could think of to save your child from a difficult future – tough love, new schools, homeschooling, counseling, – but no success. Your child might have been to boarding schools before with little results. Are there any options left to change your troubled boy for the better? Yes, there is still hope. Christian boarding schools for boys can make a difference.

If your child has a history with any of these problems, you are not alone. The majority of public school students in the US develop drinking, smoking, and illegal drug addictions before age 18, and one in ten US children are impaired with some form of mental illness. Chances are, your boy is probably one of them. You may have noticed him suddenly change his behavior, hang out with the ‘wrong crowd,’ or withdraw from you. He might not be doing well in school or skip classes altogether. Common signs of troubled boys are also rebellious attitudes and responses toward parents, teachers, and other authority figures.

The Difference between Other Schools and Christian Boarding Schools for Boys

Many public and private schools don’t know how to handle troubled boys. Behavioral problems often go undetected, and when discovered the correction could be misapplied. A troubled boy might pick up on this and overpower his correctors with physical strength. They might claim that the boy is the source of the problem and expel him from the school. Sadly, the real problem is not addressed and it continues to follow the child into his future.

This common tragedy in public and boarding schools is no fault of anyone’s own; it simply comes from a lack of training and experience. That’s where a Christian boarding school for boys can help. Christian boarding schools for boys like Gateway Academy offer a significant advantage to troubled children when other school methods aren’t effective at correcting them. Benefits for troubled boys that attend Christian boarding schools include:

• Competitive athletics, appealing activities, and national / international mission tours
• Excellent individual-paced academic programs that are open year-round
• Transferrable credits to college with SAT and ACT assistance
• Restored confidence and sense of purpose in life
• Opportunity to learn valuable skills in leadership, discipline, and teamwork
• Help from knowledgeable mentors who understand and can relate to your child
• A lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ that transforms lives and heals hurting families
• Individualized Bible Study lessons that foster success and apply the Word to each young man’s situation and needs

All of these benefits and more are available for students at Gateway Academy.

Christian Boarding Schools for Boys Help Hurting Families Heal

Problems with troubled boys often stem from a deeper issue. Learning disorders, lack of harmony in the home, family divorces, stressful transitions, traumatic events, and a difficult childhood are all plausible causes that trigger a troubled child’s behaviors in the first place. Oftentimes he will turn to something to try to soothe the pain or cover it up. Acceptance in a lawbreaking group can make him feel like a tough guy, but produce a false sense of self-worth. Addictions offer a temporary escape from a harsh reality, but the void is still there. Worse, experimenting with such risky endeavors can produce grave consequences for a young man’s body, mind and spirit.

Christian boarding schools for boys are an excellent choice to consider when nothing else seems to be working for your son. In fact, it can be your first choice! Therapy programs and formulas don’t address the needs of the heart, but the loving environment of a Christian boarding school does. At the end of the day, only one thing can heal your child from the problems of his troubled lifestyle – the personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord in His life and the belief that He has rescued him from all of his sins. Only then can that void be filled with love and peace in his heart and his life truly changed for the better.

Gateway Academy – A Christian Boarding School for Boys Designed Specifically for Troubled Children

Gateway Academy was founded with a mission to help troubled boys just like yours. We are honored to have helped over 1,000 teens ages 11 through 17 transform into confident young men and discover who they are in Christ. Originally a Christian military school, the campus has grown to include so much more – a working ranch and farm, competitive athletics, mission trips, a community outreach, and mentorship for parents and families. Academics are offered Monday through Friday year-round, and Chapel service is held for the students twice weekly.

“Gateway Boarding School was the best decision we have made in our entire life,” says boarding school parents David and Joy in a testimony. “Our son’s life was saved from destruction. The education at Gateway was the finest he could have received anywhere.  He became a self-disciplined student with motivated study habits and finished with a 3.9 GPA. He now has the desire and compassion to serve in his community and church, as well as tutoring and mentoring younger kids.”

Nervous about sending your son away to a Christian boarding school for boys? We understand how that feels. Rest assured, Gateway is a loving environment that will welcome your child in his new environment. He will get a second chance in life and a fresh clean slate that is free from sources of negative influences. He will develop healthy relationships with his mentors and learn essential life skills with his peers. Most of all, he will get to know Christ as his Savior and Friend and learn to respect himself, those in authority, and the loved ones in his life.

If you or someone you know has a troubled boy in need of help, Gateway Academy is here to reach out to them. Just give us a call at (850) 547 – 9471 or send us an email to gba.admissions@teenchallenge.cc and we will gladly answer any questions you may have. We are pleased to discuss with you what to expect when you enroll your child at Gateway and what the next steps are regarding his progress. Our individualized learning programs can help your son catch up on schoolwork or even get ahead of the pack with his studies. Are you ready to experience a breakthrough in your troubled child’s life? We’ll be happy to discuss the options with you. We look forward to seeing him at Gateway Academy!