Life Quest Girls Academy: Affordable Boarding School for Girls

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Life Quest Girls Academy. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on the personal review of Alyssa Carter, website owner.

Life Quest Girls Academy in Parowan, Utah is an affordable boarding school for girls because it’s a non-therapeutic school for teens. Is Life Quest right for your daughter? Read on for a detailed explanation of all this alternative program has to offer.

I had the opportunity to visit with Monte Hawkins who is the owner of Life Quest together with his wife, Rachael. I was impressed with the school’s dedication to improving the lives of girls in their care.

Progressive Boarding School for Teen Girls

Life Quest Girls Academy is a boarding school for girls ages 12-17. The school uses a unique model to meet the needs of pre-teen and teen girls who have the desire to engage in positive behaviors and become successful in life.

At Life Quest, girls live on campus 24/7, attend school, and have the opportunity to engage in extra-curricular opportunities. Young women come to the program from all over the United States and world.

The Academy hosts up to 36 girls at a time. This smaller group makes it possible for young women to build healthy relationships with peers and adults. The staff is open to creative solutions and tailoring the program to fit your daughter’s specific needs.

Life Quest Academy is a non-therapeutic boarding school, which means that they do not have therapists on staff (although outpatient therapy is available) and their setting is best designed for girls who want to focus on academics and are open to personal growth.

Caring Leadership Improves Boarding School Success Rates

Research shows that quality staff improves treatment outcomes for all types of experiences, including boarding schools.

One of the highlights of Life Quest is the dedication and care of the staff. Owners Monte and Rachael get to know each girl and do all they can to foster their growth and independence. Rachael is a certified Life Coach who offers services for girls who are moving on to college or other adult life situations.

Staff promote safety and nurturing so that girls can develop their full potential.

Who Does Life Quest Accept?

Life Quest is not a therapeutic boarding school, which means they offer a supportive, safe environment for willing teen girls.

Life Quest has had success supporting students who have:

• Struggles at home and school.
• Trouble keeping up academically in a traditional classroom.
• Struggles with low self-esteem.
• Need of a more positive environment.
• Social media issues.
• Engaged in self-harm.
• Negative influence from peers.
• Immaturity.
• Been adopted.
• An IEP or 504 plan.
• Been diagnosed with ODD.
• ADHD.
• Dealt with bullying.
• Desire for independence but need supervision and structure.
• A RAD diagnosis (mild) or attachment issues.
• A diagnosis of autism (less severe or formerly called Asperger’s).
• Addictive tendencies.

Life Quest works well as a transitional option for girls coming out of a successful completion of residential treatment, therapeutic boarding school, or wilderness programs. While a return home is always the goal, girls may stay at Life Quest until they turn 18 years old and become independent adults.

Who does Life Quest NOT accept? The school is best for teen girls who want to be there and are willing to make positive choices. It’s not a good fit for children with severe attachment disorder, severe autism, extreme behavior challenges, or active addictions.

If you have further questions about if your daughter could be accepted into Life Quest, an admissions counselor is happy to chat with you about your family’s specific situation.

Academic Focus with Recovery or Acceleration

Academics are a high priority at Life Quest. All school is online through an accredited program. This gives girls the option for either academic recovery or acceleration. Girls who are behind in their school work can catch up and graduate from high school. For those who want it, they can accelerate by moving more quickly through material at their own pace.

All online instruction is supervised by staff and additional tutoring options are available.

Learning Practical Life Skills

Girls have the opportunity to engage in many elective activities to stay busy and learn important skills they will use throughout life.

A highly valuable elective is the self-improvement course where all students work on topics that focus on old-fashioned, traditional values. The girls receive an academic credit upon full completion of this course.

Extra-curricular activities at Life Quest include:

• 4H program which includes activities like gardening, showing animals, and winter sports
• 12-step program
• Farm activities
• Working with animals like horses, puppies, and sheep
• Sports
• STEAM and technology
• Outings in the community such as movies, bowling, and bonfires

Girls also keep busy with daily responsibilities including cooking, laundry, and cleaning.

Life Quest for Girls: An Affordable Boarding School in Utah

Because the program is non-therapeutic, tuition is competitive and much lower than at many therapeutic boarding schools. (In fact, tuition is lower than some non-boarding private high schools, making this an affordable option for families.)

How much does tuition cost at Life Quest? Tuition in 2022 is $4,500 per month which includes all room, board, and education. There are a few small fees for additional outings and tutoring.

Life Quest offers some scholarships based on financial need. Click here for more solutions for how to pay for boarding school.

Parent Reviews of Life Quest Academy All-Girls Boarding School

Here is what some parents had to say about their family’s experience with Life Quest:

“Thank you for all you do for the girls. Thank you for your kindness, patience and support. We appreciate all the work you all do. We are able to sleep at night knowing our daughter is safe and in an environment where she can learn to be the girl we know her to be!”

Donna, parent

The girls cook and clean up their own meals. They do a 12 Step program. They do online schooling for 5 hours a day. They learn to take responsibility for their actions. It is a fantastic program. My daughter is making wonderful progress. So thankful to the staff who work with her every day.

Georgia, parent

Click here to read more parent reviews about Life Quest in Utah.

If you think Life Quest Academy might be a good fit for your daughter, I encourage you to give them a call at 435-294-3129, email [email protected] or find more information on their website.