The Wilcox Unified School District recently received some shocking news: teen pregnancy rates in the Arizona city are three times the national average. The news comes just as the school district has approved an abstinence program that will begin January 6th.

"'Our goal is to have six sessions, one each week, beginning in late January,' said [Sally] White [director of Wilcox Against Substance Abuse]. ‘They will be in the classroom setting, just as we do our substance abuse and SRO classes.'"

Students must have their parents' permission to attend the classes, with cover such topics as STDs, teen pregnancy, violence in dating and emotional consequences. The school board voted unanimously to approve the program, which will use age-appropriate material and be available for students in 6th – 12th grades.

Copper Canyon Academy is a boarding school for troubled girls in Arizona. Learn more about their all girls school at www.coppercanyonacademy.com.

Labels: abstinence, pregnancy, sex