Heartland Academy

For Boys and Girls Aged 12–17

Heartland Academy Provides Hope and Help for Struggling Teens

Heartland Academy offers Christ-centered adolescent programs for boys and girls who need structure, support, and a fresh start. Across our five school campuses, students receive a combination of academic support, counseling, mentorship, spiritual guidance, and daily structure designed to help them grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

Our Heartland Program Locations

Five Campuses. One Heartland Program.

Every Heartland campus offers the same Christ-centered residential program, accredited academics, and family support. What sets each one apart is the setting. Choose the environment where your teen will thrive.

Boys Campus

Georgia

Heartland Boys Academy • Georgia

A hands-on campus experience where boys can participate in animal care, husbandry, gardening, and horticulture, along with unique opportunities like sheep shearing at a local farm.

Boys Campus

Kentucky

Heartland Boys Academy • Kentucky

An outdoor-focused setting with opportunities for cave exploration, mountain biking, rappelling, and other wilderness experiences that encourage confidence, teamwork, and perseverance.

Boys Campus

Florida

Heartland Boys Academy • Florida

A structured campus experience that includes varsity and JV athletics in basketball, baseball, and soccer, along with a rank-and-responsibility system that encourages growth, leadership and accountability.

Girls Campus

Missouri

Heartland Girls Academy • Missouri

An active campus experience featuring five-day weekly physical education, access to Kansas City-area parks and trails, and opportunities for recreation, team-building and leadership development.

Girls Campus

Alabama

Heartland Girls Academy • Alabama

A creative and active campus experience with lake recreation, including canoes and paddle boats, along with opportunities for creative expression, outdoor activities and personal growth.

You’re Not Alone

We Know What You’re Facing

And we can help.

Defiance. Disconnection. Failing grades, explosive anger, or total withdrawal. You’ve tried counseling, consequences, conversations, and nothing’s working.

The Solution

A Proven Path to Lasting Change

This isn’t a quick fix. It’s a comprehensive, residential program designed to address the root causes, not just the symptoms of your teen’s struggles.

For over 60 years, our programs have helped thousands of families rebuild trust, restore hope, and watch their teens become the people they were meant to be.

What Families Experience

Campuses

A Day in the Life

Your teen will be welcomed into a structured, supportive environment designed for growth.

Campus Grounds & Living Spaces

Classroom & Academics

Group Mentoring

Activities

Team Challenges

One-on-One Counseling

Community Meals

Structure. Purpose. Belonging. This is what transformation looks like.

Real stories

From Families Who’ve Been Where You Are

One of the hardest decisions we ever made as a family was sending our son Connor to Heartland after he struggled with learning differences and was asked to leave school, but through the structure, guidance, and support he received there at such a critical age, his life was truly turned around.

From the moment we arrived at Heartland Boys Academy, we knew it was where Trent needed to be, and through the structure, support, and Christ-centered guidance he received there, God transformed his heart, replacing anger and bitterness with faith, respect, and a renewed sense of purpose.

With full confidence, we can say God used Heartland’s accountability, compassion, discipline, and love to restore our son’s life. His darkness and addiction have been replaced with faith, purpose, and a renewed love for his family. Today, he has hope and direction for his future, and we are deeply grateful.

Sending our daughter to Heartland Girls Academy was one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever made, but it became the greatest blessing for our family. The program helped her rediscover hope, responsibility, and purpose, and we are incredibly grateful for the transformation we’ve seen in her life."

We made the difficult decision to send both of our boys to Heartland Boys Academy. Although a hard decision, it was the best decision. This is a fantastic program for young men that teaches discipline, self-control, and having a true relationship with Jesus.

After years of struggling to find help for our daughter, Heartland Girls Academy became the place where true healing began — not just for her, but for our entire family. From the moment we arrived, we experienced genuine care, faith-filled support and a peace that confirmed she was exactly where God wanted her. Today, she is thriving in her faith and future. We will always have a special place in our hearts for the wonderful staff and campus.

We are forever thankful that God led us to this program, and for the powerful transformation that He did in our son during his time at Heartland Boys Academy. We are excited for all that God has in store for Julian’s future!

Through the structure, accountability, mentorship, and Christ-centered guidance at Heartland Boys Academy, we have seen our son Anthony begin to rediscover purpose, resilience, and belief in himself. They did not just change his behavior - they helped restore hope for his future and for our family.

Sending my daughter to Heartland Girls Academy was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I knew in my heart she needed more support than I could give on my own. During her time there, she was supported, strengthened, deeply loved and awakened to who she truly is! I will forever be grateful for the hope and restoration this program has brought into our lives.

I wholeheartedly endorse Heartland Boys Academy. Their structure, support, and focus on life skills transformed my son’s life—giving him confidence, resilience, and a foundation for success. The staff and environment made an incredible difference, and I’m deeply grateful.

Our son attended Heartland Boys Academy for a year, and we saw real growth in his emotional and social maturity. He was safe and well cared for academically, emotionally, and spiritually by Mr. Walker and his staff. For families needing a supportive environment, HBA is a great place to turn.

We sent our adopted daughter away as a 16-year-old who was angry, disrespectful, stealing and lying. She returned home one year later apologizing, expressing thankfulness and displaying respect. She is now enrolled in a Christian school, engaging with wholesome friends, playing two sports and working diligently. Her smile lights up any room. Forever thankful.

I went to Heartland Girls Academy and it was the hardest thing I had ever done. But the moment that I submitted to the program was when I realized how much it would help me. Through it all, the staff there helped, loved and guided me through my difficulties. They helped me to work towards a better version of me. I am honored to be a graduate of this program.

The Process

The Program Journey

From your first call to graduation and beyond, here’s what to expect.

Free Family Consultation

A confidential call to understand your teen’s situation and see if the program is the right fit.

Campus Arrival and Enrollment

Upon enrollment, your teen is welcomed by staff who begin learning about their strengths, challenges, and goals. This helps our team create an individualized plan to support their growth throughout the program.

Customized Growth Plan

A personalized roadmap addressing your teen’s specific challenges and goals.

Daily Mentorship + Coaching

One-on-one support through our PSNL (Personal Studies for New Life in Christ) framework, daily accountability with experienced mentors.

Therapeutic Activities + Peer Growth

Group sessions, outdoor challenges, and real-world skill building alongside peers on the same journey.

Family Reintegration Planning + Support

Supports are available through Hope Counseling and our team works with families to ensure that a long-term care plan is established prior to leaving.

Post-Program Support

Our counseling team makes themselves available long after our students leave the program. This brings another level of care & long term success which is the heart of life transformation.

Accredited by

Common Questions

Honest Answers to Hard Questions

Is 12 -15 months really necessary?

Our experience has shown a strong connection between the length of a program and the lasting impact it can have in a young person’s life. While many people can change their behavior for a short period of time, our goal is not simply temporary behavior modification. Real and lasting change takes time.

Many of the struggles students face have developed over years and cannot be resolved in just a few months. The first phase of the program focuses on identifying and addressing the root issues behind destructive behaviors. From there, students begin the deeper work of personal growth, restoration, and healthy reintegration into family and community life. For this reason, our program is a minimum of 12 months, with some students benefiting from up to 15 months of continued support.

What if my teen doesn’t want to go?

It is very common for teens to resist the idea of leaving their normal environment, even when their current choices are creating serious problems. We encourage parents to have an honest conversation with their child about the possibility of placement before enrollment. Our admissions coordinators are available to help guide families through these conversations and share practical advice from their experience working with many families in similar situations.

In some cases, families choose to use a professional youth transport service to assist with admission. Teen Challenge does not provide transportation, but we recommend using agencies that are properly trained, certified, and committed to treating young people in a safe and respectful manner.

How much does the program cost?

Teen Challenge Behavioral Health homes operate as private residential programs and do not bill insurance. Because we are a faith-based program, families invest directly in the cost of care and services provided.

Our monthly tuition is significantly lower than many residential programs of this type, which often exceed $10,000 per month before insurance. For current tuition rates and payment details, we encourage families to contact our admissions team. We are happy to walk you through the costs and answer any questions.

Will my teen fall behind in school?

No. Students attend our fully licensed academy while enrolled in the program. Coursework is individualized and paced according to each student’s academic level so they can make steady progress.

Many students find that the structured environment helps them refocus and succeed academically. For students who are performing at a high academic level, dual enrollment opportunities may also be available.

Any Guarantees?

No program can guarantee specific outcomes. Real and lasting change depends largely on a student’s willingness to engage in the process.

Our team works closely with students and families to create a plan that encourages growth, accountability, and healthy decision-making. While we are committed to providing guidance, structure, and support, meaningful change ultimately requires effort and participation from both the student and the family.

What’s your success rate?

“Success” can mean different things to different families. For some, it means restored relationships. For others, it means improved behavior, emotional stability, or renewed direction in life. Because each student arrives with unique challenges and goals, outcomes can vary.

We have observed that approximately 75% of students who complete the full 12–15 month program do not return to the same behaviors that originally led to placement. Our goal is to work closely with each family to establish meaningful goals and help students develop the character, habits, and support systems needed for lasting change. While it can be difficult to address years of struggle in a single year, we regularly see significant growth, and many families experience restored relationships as a result of the process.

Can we visit the campus?

Yes. We welcome families who are considering enrollment to schedule a tour of our campus. Visiting in person is a great way to see the environment, meet some of our staff, and learn more about the program.

While most students do not attend the initial tour with their parents, they are welcome to visit if it is appropriate for the family. Campus tours must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance, and visiting guardians will be asked to provide a valid photo ID upon arrival.