Enrollment Process

Would Cookson Hills partner with my family?

Cookson Hills places high value on family partnership. The following characteristics describe families looking to partner with Cookson Hills.

Families who are:

  • Having difficulty meeting the needs of your child age 5 to 17
  • Desiring to keep a sibling group together in the same location
  • Committed to following a Plan of Care and maintaining involvement (as able) with your child
  • Willing to remain committed to long term placement and allowing your child to complete each school year

How much will it cost my family?

We understand that every family’s financial situation is unique. At Cookson Hills, we invite families to contribute financially in a way that reflects the support they provided while the child was living at home.

Families are responsible for:

• Applying for school tuition support through either a Cookson Hills Scholarship or the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Program.
• Providing medical insurance that is accepted in the state of Oklahoma.
• Paying for counseling services each month if these are not covered by your insurance.
• Maintaining a small account with Cookson Hills for your child’s basic personal needs (such as haircuts, hygiene items, etc.).

Importantly, no child is ever turned away due to an inability to contribute financially. Our goal is to work with each family to find a manageable solution that ensures the child receives the care and support they need.

What's next?

If your child meets our  enrollment criteria  and you are interested in placing your child at Cookson Hills, please fill out the application below to take your next step.

If your child does not qualify for services based on the criteria above, please visit our referral list for additional resources.

STEP 1: Enrollment Application

This 20 minute survey helps us understand how we can best help.

STEP 2: Enrollment Phone Call

This 30 minute phone call helps to clarify any questions from the Enrollment Application.

STEP 3: Family Interview

This 3 hour on-site visit helps you see where your child will be living and helps us complete any remaining assessments.

STEP 4: Enrollment Day

When all assessments are completed and required documents returned, we set the date for enrolling.

Start Application

Quick Links

• Family Handbook
• Daily Schedule
• Enrollment FAQ
• Student FAQ Video
• Referrals List

ENROLLMENT CRITERIA 
CHCS considers students who have at least one of the following criteria for enrollment:

• Lack a safe and stable home environment
• Are living in single parent, adoption, grandparent, or other family member household
• Have experienced abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences
• Have low income or live in impoverished circumstances
• Are beginning to make unhealthy behavior choices or poor peer group
• Struggle with school due to home, school, or community issues

UNACCEPTABLE ENROLLMENT CRITERIA
CHCS provides basic care for students who need safety, structure, and stability. CHCS is not able to provide care for the following circumstances:

• Chronic anti-social behavior that leads to serious aggressive behavior, inability to function in school,
significant emotional dysregulation, or significant substance use
• Severe psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, personality disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional
defiant disorder (ODD), bipolar disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD),
or intermittent explosive disorder (IED)
• Medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, severe food allergies requiring unique diets, physical disabilities
that limit full functioning of programming.
• Severe learning disabilities (Students need to be able to function on their own in a classroom)
• Unsafe sexual misconduct, such as a sexual perpetrator, or voyeurism
• Multiple placements in hospitals, inpatient facilities, residential treatment centers, or similar facilities
• Placement in Juvenile Detention

If your child does not qualify for services based on the criteria above, please visit our referral list for additional resources.

Next Steps

ENROLLMENT FAQ

How old are the children cared for by Cookson Hills? How long can they stay?
At Cookson Hills, we provide a stable home for children ages 5 to 17. Our focus is on long-term care, providing the structure, stability, and support they need to reach graduation. Students who turn 18 during their time at Cookson Hills may choose to sign themselves back into care to ensure a seamless transition toward graduation. By choosing to stay, students commit to maintaining campus and program expectations as they complete their education.

What are the costs of having my child at Cookson Hills?
We work with each family to find solutions so children can receive the care, education, and support they need. No child is ever turned away because a family cannot contribute financially.

School tuition is often offset for families through scholarships, but tuition does not cover the full cost of caring for a child in our program.

We ask families to contribute financially in ways similar to what they provided while their child was living at home. This may include:

  • Apply for school tuition support through a Cookson Hills Scholarship or the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Program.
  • Provide medical insurance that is accepted in Oklahoma.
  • Pay for medical and counseling services each month if these are not covered by insurance.
  • Maintain a small account with Cookson Hills for your child’s basic personal needs (such as haircuts, hygiene items, clothing, medical expenses, etc.).

What about family contact and visits with my child?
We highly value family involvement and aim to maintain regular connections between children and their families. Here’s what you can expect: 

  • Phone Calls: Families have scheduled phone calls with their child twice a month.
  • Visit Calendar: Each year, we provide families with an official Visit Calendar, coordinated by your child’s social worker, based on our year-round school schedule.
  • Break Weeks: There are four designated break weeks during the school year. Families can select two of these weeks for visits lasting up to 7 days each.
  • Holidays and Summer: Additional visits are scheduled around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer break.
  • Weekend Visits: We also offer weekend visits from Friday to Sunday throughout the year, all scheduled according to the official Visit Calendar. 

These structured contacts and visits help maintain important family bonds while supporting your child’s growth and stability at Cookson Hills.

What kind of updates will I receive about my child’s care and experiences?
Families primarily receive communication from their Cookson Hills Social Worker, including report cards, medical updates (both routine and emergency care), scheduling visits, significant behavior issues, and progress/growth. Families are also encouraged to speak with Houseparents during phone calls to learn about their child’s experiences and family events.

Is your school accredited, and are the credits transferable to the college of their choice?
Yes, credits are transferable to college. Our school is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Cognia.

Are the counselors licensed? 
Yes, our Licensed Professional Counselors provide clinical care through a Biblical worldview, integrating professional expertise in each session with Christian faith to support each student's emotional and spiritual growth. To foster future talent, we occasionally utilize supervised graduate interns from partner universities to assist in providing this holistic, Christ-centered care.

How do you discipline students?
Guided by the Love & Logic approach, we create a safe environment where students experience the outcomes of their decisions in a supportive atmosphere. Houseparents offer empathy, helping students take ownership and 'make it right' when boundaries are crossed. Above all, we believe that discipline should never come at the cost of the relationship.

What does structure look like in a big family?
We believe structure provides the roadmap for student success. In our homes, Houseparents blend their own unique parenting styles with a consistent daily rhythm, ensuring life is both organized and nurturing. By maintaining clear expectations, we help students understand the impact of their choices and stay focused on their personal goals.

Do the houseparents have training?
Yes, we believe in supporting those who support our students. In addition to 24 hours of annual training, Houseparents meet weekly with their Social Workers to collaborate on individualized care. This ongoing partnership ensures that every Houseparent has the expert guidance and fresh strategies needed to assist each student in their home thrive.

What boundaries do have with technology and internet use?
To help our students stay focused, we limit personal electronics to handheld gaming devices that do not connect to the internet. Personal cell phones and other wireless devices are not permitted on campus; internet access is monitored and reserved primarily for school purposes. We celebrate growth and responsibility by allowing Seniors to earn 'contracted privileges' for a cell phone and email account under guidance and supervision as they prepare for graduation.