Boise Girls Academy is the adolescent girls program of Adult & Teen Challenge PacWest, operating as a faith-based, long-term residential boarding school for teenage girls aged thirteen to seventeen in Nampa, Idaho. The state-licensed program serves girls who are displaying risky behaviors, struggling in a traditional school setting, or facing challenges such as defiance, depression, low self-esteem, and vulnerability to substance use. Drawing on the Teen Challenge organization’s decades of experience, the academy uses a relational counseling approach grounded in Christian principles to address the root causes behind each student’s behavior.
A Structured, Faith-Based Residential Program
The standard program runs approximately fifteen months, with flexibility for students who need additional time. Housed on a three-acre campus with a 14,300-square-foot main facility, the academy maintains a small student body so that staff can build meaningful, individualized relationships with each girl. Students follow a consistent daily schedule that includes academics, group activities, household responsibilities, physical fitness, and mentoring. Licensed counselors provide individual sessions, and weekly group counseling covers topics such as conflict resolution, personal responsibility, peer reconciliation, and accountability. A guided discipleship curriculum and daily quiet reflection time are woven throughout, and students attend chapel services and off-campus worship as part of the program’s spiritual development component.
Academics, Life Skills, and Family Involvement
The academy delivers an individualized academic program through Lighthouse Christian Academy using the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) curriculum, which is Cognia- and NCAA-accredited. Students work at their own pace with daily progress tracking and clearly defined goals, with a certified on-site teacher supporting those who have fallen behind in traditional settings. Beyond the classroom, girls build practical life skills through rotating responsibilities in meal preparation, animal care on the campus farm, community service projects, and enrichment activities including sports, arts, music lessons, and outdoor recreation. Family involvement is emphasized throughout the program, with regular parent communication by email and phone and scheduled parent weekends designed to support restored relationships and a successful transition home.
