Christian Boarding Schools in Missouri

Following is a list of Christian Boarding Schools in Missouri that offer options for your young son, daughter, teenager or young adult.

What is a Christian Boarding School?

Christian Boarding Schools (CBSs) are schools that offer a Biblical educational option for your young child, teen, or young adult. The student lives full time at the school.

Most of the CSBs listed below are private schools and are not state funded. However, some do offer reduced tuition because they are funded by donations and fundraisers. Most CBSs provide information for parents to find scholarships and grants, as well as offer payment plans.

Occasionally, CBSs may work with you so that your insurance covers partial costs of medical or mental health care at the school.

CBSs can be similar in structure to a therapeutic boarding school where children or youth with mental health or behavioral issues are able to get the specialized help they need.

Here is a link to our guide on therapeutic boarding schools and how to choose the best one for your youth to assist you in your search.

All students are free to attend these schools and are not required to be Christian.

If your child requires a life away from home at this time, the following list gives you options.

Listing of Christian Boarding Schools of Missouri

Below is a short description of the Christian boarding schools in Missouri along with how to contact each of them.

For more options, click here for all therapeutic boarding schools in Missouri.

Listings are for information purposes and do not imply a recommendation.

Agape Boys Home in Stockton – Now Stone of Help Boy’s Home

Agape Boys Home closed and is now Stove of Help Boy’s Home.

Stone of Help Boys Home in Stockton

The Stone of Help Home for Boys is a Christian-based home for troubled teen boys. The home helps young men deal with issues of disobedience, anger, lying, manipulation, truancy from school, girls, drugs, alcohol, or pornography while maintaining a positive and supportive family-style environment.

The curriculum used at Stone of Help allows the student to progress at his own pace and is tailored to their individual needs. The individualized pace allows the student to catch up with their schooling without being hindered by slower students in his class.

Additionally, Biblically-based counseling is provided to encourage the young man to rebuild damaged relationships.

For more information, please call (405) 343-9525 or check out their website.

Heartland Children and Youth Homes

Heartland Children and Youth Home (HCYH) provides a place for hurting children and teenagers to live and learn away from home as they learn to heal from their past and find their future purpose in life by developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

HCYH is designed for parents or guardians who recognize that their child or youth would benefit from a long-term residential placement. There is no minimum age for placement. The maximum age for placement of residents is 15 years and 6 months. Enrollment for older students may be considered, based on their personal commitment to purpose, mission, philosophy, and desire for a Biblical lifestyle.

In instances where residents have developed addictive behaviors, HCYH provides the required help each child needs, and most often that requires a change of method or training style. HCYH is not a quick fix, a temporary solution, or a refuge from the real world.

HCYH is neither a licensed boarding facility nor an accredited school, and they do not always employ a full-time counselor. However, students will receive Godly advice regarding personal issues, future life decisions, and spiritual matters from their house parents, Pastors, head of the school, administration, and youth leaders who interact with students during a large part of every day.

HCYH is not equipped or staffed to accommodate the mentally or physically disabled, children who exhibit and/or practice homosexuality or deviant sexual or violent behavior, nor are they able to provide care for those who have significant medical issues.

For more information, please call 660-284-6212 or check out their website.

Missouri Baptist Children’s Home in Bridgeton

Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) Children and Family Ministries Residential Program provides a loving environment away from home where children and young adults ages 6 to 21 years old are offered opportunities that promote growth, healing, and positive changes in their lives.

Residential Services are available in Bridgeton, Mount Vernon, and Peculiar (boys only).

In addition to the basic necessities of food, clothing, shelter, and medical care, the children also receive individual, family, and group counseling, public education, a structured environment, psychological care, and recreation. Each child has an individualized treatment plan (IEP) and is assigned a therapist who directs counseling and case management for that child.

The goal of residential care is the reunification of each child with the biological family (if possible) or the development of an alternative family structure if necessary. The average length of stay in residential programs is 6-9 months.

Spiritual development is emphasized. All staff are dedicated Christians who actively share their faith without being judgmental. Bible-based devotions are an important element of daily activities and the residents are encouraged to become involved in a local church.

For more information, please call (314) 739-6811 or check out their website.

Saint Paul Lutheran High in Concordia

Saint Paul Lutheran High is a private, college-preparatory high school for boys and girls in grades 9-12. In addition to an accredited academic program, Saint Paul offers a variety of activities, clubs, and other opportunities for students to get involved, stay active, and provide a variety of different experiences for everyone.  Saint Paul also offers trips off campus for shopping, recreation, and experiencing the culture.

The school’s goal is to encourage students to be academically prepared for a college environment as well as become inspired to see their future as a vocation of service to God and to one another.

Financial assistance is available through various endowments and scholarships that have been gifted to Saint Paul. Saint Paul also offers a work study program where paid jobs on campus are available for those who qualify, which can be used to assist with expenses. There may be outside sources of aid from congregations, districts, or other places. 

For more information, please call (660) 463-2238 or check out their website.

Shelterwood in Independence

Shelterwood is closed. July, 2023.

Teen Challenge Missouri

The following programs are part of the great Teen Challenge network.

Hope Home of the Ozarks in Springfield

The Hope Homes of the Ozarks residents are men and women aged 18+ dealing with life-controlling issues or desperate situations such as post-incarceration, addiction, sex trafficking, and homelessness. Residents must have a desire to change.

Their program is an intense one-year residential discipleship and recovery program where residents learn to discover their God-given talents and future through discipleship-based recovery homes in a faith-filled, family setting. The emphasis is on transformation through the life-changing love of Jesus Christ.

Hope Home offers a variety of classes such as relapse prevention, reintegration, art therapy, and anger management. They also provide weekly Living Free groups that are led by trained facilitators and a regular financial freedom class taught by a local banker.

Discipleship within the Hope Homes includes Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, community service, volunteerism, mentorship, work projects, and personal spiritual development.

For more information, please call (417) 920-5880 or check out their website.

Teen Challenge International of Mid-America in Cape Girardeau

Adult Teen Challenge Mid-America is a long-term, residential, faith-based program that ministers to men ages 18 and older with drug, alcohol as well as other addictions. The program’s primary goal is to help each student develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and apply the lessons they learn to every part of their lives.

The 12 to 14 month program provides students the opportunity to develop their skills and talents in these areas:

• SPIRITUAL – Daily chapel services, prayer and devotion, choir, student ministries, student praise, worship, Bible study, and Biblical counseling are provided by staff.
• ACADEMIC – Bible teachings and Bible-related classes, along with the High School Equivalency (HSE) program enable students to restart their education, take and pass the HSE exam and move on to community college, technical schools, university studies, and beyond.
• VOCATIONAL – Work-study programs teach basic job skills and productivity in a structured environment designed to instill a solid work ethic, preparing and enabling students to enter the workforce, become productive members of society, and support themselves and their families.

For more information, please call (573) 335-6508 or check out their website.

Teen Challenge of St. Louis (for men) & Diane’s House (for women) in High Ridge

Teen Challenge of St. Louis offers a long-term, 12-month residential program for both men and women ages 18+. They base the curriculum and community of the program on God’s Word—the Bible.

Teen Challenge’s practical Bible-based courses help men and women transition from alcoholism and substance abuse to a life of freedom in Christ. This is done through classes, individual study, personal mentoring, work ethic training, and involvement in the Christian community.

Tuition for Teen Challenge is affordable. They request a one-time fee of $500 and students can receive long-term residential care. This low cost is made possible through generous contributions from caring individuals, churches, organizations, and the business community.

For more information, please call (636) 677-1776 or check out their website.

Teen Challenge of the Four States in Neosho

Teen Challenge of the Four States is a 12-month residential recovery center for men ages 18+ who are seeking freedom from substance abuse addictions. The program will teach them tools based on Biblical principles that assist them in the recovery process.

They not only learn how to change deeply entrenched, self-destructive behavior but discover a new identity in Christ that makes these changes possible.

Each program participant learns how to turn to God, be honest with himself, experience inner healing, and learns to develop healthy relationships that will enrich their lives. Teen Challenge’s goal is to return each resident back to their family and community as a healthy and productive man.

Admission costs are as follows and are due at the time of arrival:

• $800.00 Non-refundable intake fee
• $100.00 For a return bus fare
• $ 30.00 Medical Fees
• $ 75.00 Minimum for student account

For more information, please call (417) 451-2980 or check out their website.

Teen Challenge Boys Academy of the Ozarks in Branson West

Ozarks Teen Challenge provides a 15-month residential program for at-risk teen boys ages 12-17 who have struggled with:

• Drug Abuse/Addiction
• Alcohol Abuse/Addiction
• Sexual Issues/Addictions
• Chronic Low Self-Esteem
• Running Away
• Defiance
• Truancy

Students work through a program that provides them with:

• individual counseling and mentorship
• a customized academic track
• leadership training
• life skills training
• community service opportunities
• physical fitness training
• and outdoor skills development

Ozarks Teen Challenge understands adolescents. In addition to the above, they focus on teaching basic life skills to each student from day one. These include personal hygiene, cleaning, laundry, cooking, and organization.

Once your child is accepted into the program, there is a non-refundable $500 admission fee.

For more information, please call (417) 272-3784 or check out their website.

Click here for a free PDF printable checklist of the 7 steps to take when your child needs residential treatment.