Students are given the opportunity to manage and run the Ranch for two to four weeks. As Ranch Manager they make sure chores are completed in a timely manner with excellence. They plan and direct weekly shopping with a budget, and monitor the overall welfare of the students and the animals.

Students practice taking ownership and responsibility for themselves and their community through work with gardening, landscaping, building projects, animal husbandry and ranch maintenance. Staff work closely with the students encouraging personal excellence and helping them to develop skills that can be applied to their lives.

The fiscal curriculum seeks to inspire students not only to work hard but also to work as if they "owned a business." This is done through a financial training model that rewards excellence and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Each week at Life Designs Ranch is a simulated month in the "real world", with a paycheck and bills to pay. Students earn a weekly paycheck based on their level of excellence in punctuality, attitude, effort, safety and ownership. Students learn to manage a bank account and are held accountable to save a percentage of their paycheck each month.

Teams alternate cooking breakfast and dinner for the group. They are coached in cooking a variety of ethnic dishes such as Thai, Italian, Greek, Mexican and even Japanese. They are challenged to use different methods of cooking and baking to gain skills in culinary excellence.

Tutoring is available for students wanting to complete a GED. College classes are available on-line.

Students at Life Designs Ranch have the opportunity to learn and research information and skills associated with a particular vocational interest. They are trained in skills that can be applied to many work and life situations. They complete a resume that includes their work skills and leadership knowledge gained at Life Designs Ranch.