34°35′46″N 112°28′05″W / 34.5959797°N 112.4681734°WSpring Ridge Academy, was a behavioral health residential facility for female adolescents 13-17 years old. In 2023, Spring Ridge Academy announced on their website they had permanently closed.[4]
| Spring Ridge Academy | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
13690 S Burton Rd , Yavapai County , Arizona 86333 United States | |
| Information | |
| School type | For-profit program, Behavioral Health Residential Facility |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founders | Jean (Jeannie) Courtney |
| Status | closed |
| Closed | February 2023 |
| NCES District ID | 42 |
| CEEB code | 030422 |
| NCES School ID | A0900156[1] |
| Principal | Justin Zych |
| Teaching staff | 11 (on an FTE basis)[1] |
| Gender | Girls |
| Age range | 13-17 |
| Number of students | 48 |
| • Grade 9 | 3 |
| • Grade 10 | 11 |
| • Grade 11 | 16 |
| • Grade 12 | 18 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 4.4[1] |
| Hours in school day | 5.8 |
| Accreditations | Cognia (education)[2] |
| Tuition | $126,000 to $162,000[3] |
| Website | springridgeacademy |
Background
The campus was originally a house with a barn attached and only had one student.[5] By the end, it was capable of housing up to 76 girls with a facility that included classrooms, medical areas, labs, and athletic fields and courts.[5] Spring Ridge Academy was operated by Suzanne Courtney (Executive Director) at its time of closure.[6]
Programming
Spring Ridge Academy described itself as a "clinical therapeutic program with a college preparatory academic curriculum".[7]
The program included four phases that each student completed at their own pace.[7] The program's average length of stay was 14 to 18 months.[7]
Parents or guardians who had their child admitted to Spring Ridge paid tuition and fees. Medical insurance may have covered part of the costs.
Controversy
In 2021, the parent of a former resident filed a lawsuit against Spring Ridge Academy, alleging causes of action for negligence and fraud, amongst other things.[8][3][9] The mother claims that the troubled teen program used non-evidence-based treatment practices on her daughter and misrepresented the tactics the program used before she enrolled her child there.[8][3] In a large group awareness training workshop, for example, girls at Spring Ridge Academy were allegedly instructed to beat their chairs with rolled-up towels containing their anger while other students screamed at them.[3]
Other former students have claimed that the workshops at the center of the lawsuit are "abusive" and "shame-based."[9] Former students say they had to participate in attack therapy as well.[9]
Spring Ridge Academy has also been accused of using conversion therapy.[10]
Other alumni have come forward alleging abuse as part of the Breaking Code Silence movement, describing the academy as a cult and as being exploitative of families.[11] One Spring Ridge Academy alumnus was also featured in a Lifetime movie special Beyond the Headlines: Cruel Instruction, talking about the allegations of abuse in the troubled teen industry and the PTSD and anxiety that many survivors continue to live with.[12][failed verification] Spring Ridge Academy issued several in response to the lifeline movie.[13][14][15]
References
External links
- Official website (Spring Ridge Academy)
- Official website (New Day Rising)
- NCES website