Membership Criteria
Full Membership
To become a full member, programs must:
- Maintain a residential component with a defined residential curriculum and enrichment activities such as sports, clubs, tutoring, and community service.
- Incorporate education as a primary program component, whether through an on-site school or attendance at local public or private schools, with additional educational supports on campus.
- Target socially and/or economically disadvantaged youth whose homes cannot adequately meet their needs.
- Maintain a youth development, strength-based approach focused on the futures of young people. Counseling may be available, but is not the primary focus of the program.
- Intend to have youth enrolled for at least one academic year, while keeping in mind the best interest of each child.
- Have licensure or accreditation in good standing.
Membership dues are based on the number of youth served at capacity.
Affiliate Membership
Affiliate membership is reserved for programs and organizations that fall outside of a traditional residential education program, but are interested in the issues of residential education or work with residential education programs. Affiliate members are entitled to most of the benefits of full membership with some limitations.