Elon Homes for Children was founded in 1907 by the Southern Convention of the Christian Church, a forerunner of the United Church of Christ, at Elon College, North Carolina. Boys Town of North Carolina was founded in Charlotte in 1970, merged with Elon Homes for Children in 1985 and soon added services for girls. In it hundred plus year history, Elon Homes has served thousands of children and families. Today the agency focuses on safe haven, life skills and education for the children in its care. In 2008, the agency changed its name to Elon Homes and Schools for Children to better reflect the range of services offered to children in its care.

Elon Homes and Schools for Children operates on two campuses. Kennedy Campus in Charlotte offers Family Foster Care, outpatient behavioral and psychological services through Kids Central of the Carolinas, LLC, and operates the Kennedy Charter Public School. On its Elon Campus, Elon Homes has established the first independent, tuition based, college-preparatory school for students from Alamance County and the surrounding area. Elon also provides Family Foster care in the Triad area.

Elon Homes and Schools for Children is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation governed by a board of governors.