How Rolling Admissions at Boys Home of Virginia Meet Families’ Needs Now
Starting Mid-Year Meets the Needs of Students Where They Are
Meeting the Needs of Students Where They Are
January and February brings a particular kind of stress for families struggling with their son’s education. Maybe he’s fallen behind at his current school. Maybe he stopped attending altogether. Maybe the environment just isn’t working, and everyone knows something needs to change—but the thought of waiting until summer, scrambling for applications, and coordinating a fall start date feels overwhelming.
At Boys Home of Virginia, families don’t have to wait. Rolling Admissions means students can apply and enroll now— not hope for a spot this summer. This benefit is one way that we stand apart from other schools. We can provide a living and school environment that meets your son’s needs now.
“We can work with kids based on the records we receive from their school,” explains Theresa Johnson, Director of Education and Principal at Boys Home. “If I need additional information, I’ll reach out to school personnel to get it. We want families to know—it’s not like the end result for them. We can work with students to get them caught up to where they need to be.”
Johnson has spent more than 35 years in education, including her time in public schools, before joining Boys Home in 2016. She knows what it’s like when a student transfers mid-year. She’s seen it countless times. The difference at Boys Home is the level of customization and support it provides.
When a new student arrives at Boys Home of Virginia, we don’t just stick them into an existing schedule based on age or grade level. We begin with personalized assessments using tools like Star Reading and Star Math to determine your child’s abilities. We review transcripts, talk with previous teachers if needed, and sit down with the student directly to figure out what’s going on.
“A lot of times the kids will say, ‘Well, I just didn’t go to school,'” Johnson notes. “They’re pretty forthcoming about it. And then we try to match them up to what we currently have that’s similar to what they were taking.”
Customized Learning Tailored to Each Student
One of the biggest advantages of Boys Home’s small size is the ability to truly individualize education. With an 5-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, there’s no hiding in the back of the classroom. Teachers know exactly where each student stands and what they need to move forward.
Take math, for example. Johnson describes a ninth grader currently enrolled in Algebra II, while his peers work through Algebra I. “We don’t hold kids back based on all the other kids,” she says. “Next year, he’ll probably do pre-calculus, or we may get him into a dual enrollment class at the community college.”
On the flip side, if a student is several grade levels behind in reading, Boys Home engages a reading specialist to provide targeted intervention. The goal isn’t just to pass them through—it’s to address the root of the struggle so academics don’t become a source of frustration or behavioral issues.
“If they’re four or five grade levels behind with reading, there’s going to be an issue for them to continue academically,” Johnson explains. “We don’t want them to become a disruption in the classroom because they’re struggling with reading.”
Teachers use a mix of proven programs and adaptive technology:
- Star Reading and Star Math (through Renaissance) for placement assessments
- IXL for pinpointing specific math weaknesses and addressing them systematically
- Edmentum for credit recovery or courses not offered in-person (like foreign languages or specific sciences)
The approach is hands-on. “Right now we’re seeing kids wanting to use Google to try to get the answers—they want a quick way out,” Johnson says. “So if I see that taking place, I’ll give them a hard copy test. They don’t want to go that route because it seems like more questions. But it makes them think about what they have to do.”
Flexibility That Works for Families
Mid-year enrollment is about academics, logistics, and peace of mind for families navigating a difficult transition.
Because we can accept students throughout the year, families don’t have to put their lives on hold waiting for a traditional school start date.
If a student enrolls in February and needs to catch up on coursework, staff work with them through the summer if necessary. But students also have the flexibility to go home during breaks or attend summer camp—they’re not locked into a rigid recovery schedule that feels punitive.
“We still have that flexibility,” Johnson emphasizes. “They can go to camps. They’re not excluded from other activities.”
For families worried about the emotional toll of sending their son away mid-year, Johnson offers reassurance: “It’s hard to let go. I went through that with my daughter going to college—that empty nest syndrome. But we work with the kids. They have Residential Life Mentors here who have a caring heart for them. They have time in the gym, activities, and church social events. They’re not confined to a cottage or classroom once the school day is over.”
Real Student Success Stories
The proof is in the outcomes. Johnson shares stories of former students who arrived at Boys Home struggling and left with a completely different trajectory.
One young man came to Boys Home four years ago because he wasn’t attending school at home. His mother sent him along with his three siblings—two high school students and two elementary students. “This young man worked and worked and worked,” Johnson recalls. “He ended up enlisting in the Air Force. He’s been sent overseas a couple of times, and I think he’s going back to Officer school now. He stays in touch with people here.”
Another alumnus is currently pursuing his second Master’s degree at the College of William & Mary in accounting. “His parents wanted a better life for him,” Johnson says. “And he’s certainly achieved that.”
A more recent graduate received a four-year Glencairn Foundation Scholarship—a competitive honor that covers tuition for students pursuing specific fields of study.
“We do have some that turn it around,” Johnson reflects. “They may come and tell us they don’t want to be here at first. But when it’s all said and done, they do want to be here.”
Beyond Academics: Building a Future
Boys Home doesn’t just focus on catching students up—it focuses on moving them forward. Students have access to dual enrollment opportunities at nearby Mountain Gateway Community College, allowing them to earn college credits while still in high school. Current students are taking courses in welding, business, biology, and anatomy and physiology.
The school is also expanding extracurricular opportunities to keep students engaged and excited about their futures. New programs include:
- Driver’s Education (now offered online with weekend in-person instruction)
- Music classes with plans for a drum line
- eSports teams
- VFW essay and art contests that result in scholarships and community recognition
Teachers at Boys Home are recognized alongside educators from local public schools and colleges for the Educator of the Year awards. Students participate in community service board counseling when needed and connect with local resources that set them up for long-term success.
“Our teachers are here because they want to give back,” Johnson says. “They want to give back to the kids. That’s what we’re here for—to try to make a difference in their lives.”
What Open Enrollment Means for Your Family
If your family is facing a crisis—whether it’s your son’s academics, behavior, or environment —you don’t have to wait until next school year to get the help you need. We remove the barriers that make getting a fresh start complicated and overwhelming for you and your son, including providing scholarships.
“We can bring them on mid-year,” Johnson says. “We have retired teachers here who’ve all been through it. We can still work with them and get them caught up. Our goal is to work with them where they come in and hopefully get them to graduate from Boys Home.”
Is mid-year enrollment right for your family? Contact our admissions team today to learn more about how Boys Home can help your son succeed.