Christian Boarding School in Illinois for Troubled Boys

Salem4youth Therapeutic Christian Boarding School:
Based in Flanagan, Illinois, Salem4youth is a Christian Therapeutic Boarding School for troubled boys and young men in Grades 3-12. We offer an educational program that is specifically structured to support the supervision and training of students that have special challenges.

Christian Therapeutic Boarding School Program:

Educational Program
Salem4youth’s on-campus school, named Valor High School, uses a creative approach to education by providing a mix of instructional, relational and vocational training. It is clear that most of our students are very intelligent, but their ability to learn is often more creative and different than traditional forms of learning.

Valor High School
Valor High School uses a creative approach to education by providing a mix of Instructional, Relational and Vocational training. A classroom consists of one teacher, an aide (as needed) and 11 computer stations for students. Though each teacher may oversee up to 15 students at a time, there are usually no more than 8-10 students at any given time.

Home-School Based Program
The curriculum that Valor High School uses is called Switched on Schoolhouse (S.O.S.) Instead of the rotational approach to a regular High School where students move from classroom to classroom, (and teacher to teacher) and each teacher instructs in a lecture format, Valor High School has one teacher who focuses on each student’s every educational need.

Because many of our students learn more effectively with a one on one approach, our students not only tend to excel but also grow to appreciate and respect their teacher. This relationship helps with overall behavior and maturity.

Residential Program
The Salem4youth is a residential therapeutic program. The program is, on average, a ten to fourteen month program for young men whose behaviors have escalated to the point that they should no longer remain in their homes due to the risk that they may pose to themselves and to others.

Some of these behaviors may include:
- Legal involvement above the level of misdemeanors
- Moderate to acute drug use/abuse
- More than one year behind in school
- More than two school suspension of three days or more
- More than one Axis I diagnosis according to DSM – IV
- More extreme defiant behavior as characterized by a general refusal to cooperate with basic requirements of home/school/community.
- Does not express a desire to be a part of or reunite with family
- Long-term (> one year) pattern of negative behaviors
- Has demonstrated self-harming behaviors

The length of time that each young man stays at Salem4youth is contingent on how he responds to the requirements of the program.

Vocational Program
Many of our young men are creative learners and more hands-on in their approach. Salem4youth is taking the lead in motivating our students with hands-on learning, as an extension to our regular education program. Our young men learn practical skills in our vocational program serve to better equip them for the workforce.

Every school day, students ‘rotate’ into what will eventually be a series of vocational options. An option, or options, that light a passion in a student becomes an added focus of his educational experience here at Salem.

Equine Therapy
Salem4youth is unique to other therapeutic boarding schools and residential programs because of its nationally known horse program. Called the Equine Center for Excellence, through the years, we have found that horses can be some of the best therapists a young man can have.

Many of our students have never been around horses before they arrive at Salem. The soothing and trusting relationship that begins to develop between our horses and the students, often dramatically changes a student’s behavior and resolve.