Is the staff qualified for their position with the school? Do you perform background checks on staff prior to hiring?
Who is the director and what are their credentials and background?
Can I speak with the director personally?
Does the staff participate in continuing education?
Does the program employ a full time psychologist or liceIs the facility licensed?
How many years has the school/program been in operation?
Are there extra fees over the tuition?
What is the average stay? Is there aftercare?
What is the success rate? Is there a guarantee? (Most cannot give an accurate success rate since families are all very unique with different circumstances).
If my child turns 18, can they stay if they are willing to?
Do you offer open enrollment?
What are the average age and how many students are in the school?
If it is coed, are males and females kept separate? How?
Which form(s) of discipline is/are used? What are their consequences?
Will my teen have access to cell phone and/or internet? What are the policies on usage?
Are the academics accredited? Through what organization?
Will my teen’s transcripts be accepted at their local school?
Are the teachers credentialed? What is their experience?
Do you offer special education or help with learning disabilities?
Are SAT, ACT, or other college placement tests available at the school?
What extracurricular opportunities are offered? Do you offer music, sports, arts, etc?
Do you offer vocational or college courses?
Are there extra fees for special classes?
Is therapy offered and is it included in the tuition?
If not, what is the fee and will my insurance cover it?
Is there a doctor or nurse on staff? If not, how often do they visit?
Do you accept children on medication? Does this school/program believe in medication?
Will you keep a child that doesn’t want to attend? How?
Do you accept children that are escorted?
Can the child be expelled? If so, what must they do to get expelled?
Do you accept teens that are extremely aggressive?
Do you accept court appointed teens?
Do you accept teens with criminal records?
What types of children are accepted into the school?
What are the consequences for children that become out of control?
What is the tuition? What does it include?
Do you offer educational loans?
What is the termination policy? If we decide to remove our child prior the completion of the contract, are there penalties?
Should an attorney review the contract for our family?
Is there a discount if we pre-pay tuition in full?
Do you accept medical insurance? Will you file for us?
If my child is 17+ years old, can they legally sign themselves out of a program? In certain states, this is allowed.
*Most contracts will give the school/program temporary custody of your child. This is in the event that they need to have medical treatment for him/her, or if a child runs away, gets picked up by authorities for whatever reason, they will only release a child to a custodial or guardian. Most contracts will also state that this in no way supersedes or replaces the rights of the parent which means that we will always communicate with the parent and submit to the parent regarding decisions for their child.
If a teen runs away, what procedure is taken?
Is the facility staff secured 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Is there regulations put on mail and phone calls?
Do staff members read the mail? Do they monitor the calls?
Can we visit the school prior our child’s enrollment?
Will I be able to speak with my child? How often?
When can we expect our first visit after our child is enrolled?
How often can I visit my child? Are there required visits for parents?
Will I be allowed to take my child off campus?
Will I be allowed to have weekend visits off campus with my child?
Will my teen come home for the holidays? What is the schedule?
Do you offer transportation to the airports? What is the fee for this?
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