Classroom Instruction That Keeps Learning Moving Forward
Education and Academic Support Services in Western North Dakota
When a young person enters residential care at Home On The Range, their education does not stop. Home On The Range provides on-site classrooms at the Badlands Learning Center. Badlands Learning Center collaborates with the North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE) to provide classes for the youth at Home on the Range. In addition to earning credits through NDCDE the Badlands Learning Center offers GED preparation and GED testing on-site. Youth continue making academic progress even while addressing emotional and behavioral challenges. Small class settings allow the Learning Coaches to adapt the classroom, pace, and support to individual needs and learning styles. Education plans are built into each youth's overall treatment goals.
Residents at Home On The Range attend school on-site at the Badlands Learning Center. Each day includes scheduled therapy sessions, community living responsibilities such as meal preparation or property maintenance, and recreational or work-based activities that teach practical skills and accountability. The ranch setting offers space for equine work, group activities, and time outdoors within a structured framework.
What Parents Want to Know About School During Treatment
Keeping a young person on track academically during residential care involves practical questions about credits, schedules, and communication. These answers address what families typically ask.
What subjects are taught on-campus?
On-site classrooms cover core subjects including math, English, science, and social studies. Instruction is tailored to individual grade levels, learning plans, and whether a student is working toward a diploma or GED.
How do credits transfer back to a home school?
Staff coordinate with the youth's home school district to ensure coursework aligns with graduation requirements. Credits earned on-campus or through public school attendance in Western North Dakota are documented and transferred when the student returns home.
What if a youth is far behind in school?
Credit recovery and GED preparation are both available. Teachers assess where the student is academically and build a plan that prioritizes the most important coursework or test preparation needed for progress.
Can a youth take electives or advanced classes?
Electives and advanced coursework depend on the student's schedule, goals, and whether they attend public school in Western North Dakota. Staff work with families and schools to support enrichment opportunities when appropriate.
How often do families receive academic updates?
Families receive regular updates during case meetings and phone calls. Teachers and program staff share information about attendance, assignments, test scores, and any changes to the education plan.
Home On The Range treats education as part of healing and long-term success, not as something separate from therapy or daily life. If you are considering residential placement for a young person in Western North Dakota and want to know how schooling will continue, contact us to discuss academic support options.
Home On The Range maintains accreditation, professional memberships, licenses and affiliations with the following organizations and agencies.
Memberships and Accreditation
Council on Accreditation
Association of Children’s Residential & Community Services (ACRC)
ND Conference of Social Welfare
West River Conference of Social Welfare
North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations
Licenses
North Dakota Health and Human Services
Division of Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Affiliations
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Spirit of the West
Grand Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles
North Dakota State Fraternal Order of Eagles
Minnesota State Fraternal Order of Eagles
North Dakota Knights of Columbus
Golden Valley County Fair Association
North Dakota Stockmen’s Association
North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation
North Dakota State University
North Dakota Human Trafficking Taskforce
Ending the Game
Professional Affiliations
Risking Connections
CBISA (Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Abuse)
GEMS (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services)
CPI/NCI (Crisis Prevention Institute/Nonviolent Crisis Intervention)
One Circle Foundation
Professional Staff Memberships
Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA)
Animal Assisted Social Work through the University of Denver