Academy at Ivy Ridge

Lawsuits

• Dungan, et al. v. The Academy at Ivy Ridge, et al. 2006 | Filed | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York

  Families of former students filed a class action complaint on July 25, 2006 in federal court in the Northern District of New York against The Academy at Ivy Ridge in Ogdensburg, its owners, WWASP and Robert Lichfield, an accrediting body, and several referral companies. The complaint alleges the defendants falsely told parents and the public that Ivy Ridge was licensed and authorized by New York State to award high school credits and diplomas. It brings claims under RICO and New York law, including fraud, conspiracy, deceptive business practices and breach of contract. The document on file is the complaint and does not show how the case ended.

• Wood, et al. v. World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools, Inc., et al. Unknown | Fifth Judicial District Court, Washington County, Utah | 120500380 Names this facility

  William Chase Wood and several hundred other former students and their parents sued the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS), founder Robert Lichfield, his business partners and dozens of affiliated programs, marketing and billing companies in Utah's Fifth Judicial District Court in Washington County. The document on file is the plaintiffs' 228-page first amended complaint, submitted July 24, 2013, which refers to claim sheets filed in the case on December 17, 2012 in opposition to a WWASPS motion to dismiss. It alleges that students placed at WWASPS programs in Utah, other states, Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Samoa and the Czech Republic from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s were beaten, restrained, locked in isolation and small boxes or cages, denied food and medical care, sexually abused and forced to work without pay. It alleges the programs operated as a single enterprise that deceived parents and concealed the abuse, and brings negligence, fraud, contract, conspiracy and emotional distress claims. The document does not show how the case ended.

Every case in the lawsuit directory

Incidents on record

1. 2005 Investigation

   In 2005 Academy at Ivy Ridge entered an agreement with the New York attorney general, who accused it of fraudulent and illegal conduct in awarding unauthorized diplomas.source

2. February 2005 Investigation

   In February 2005 the New York Attorney General's office subpoenaed Ivy Ridge and began investigating allegations of physical abuse and later its academics and accreditation.source

3. May 2005 Arrest

   Police arrested 12 students on rioting and assault charges after the May 2005 riot and 48 were expelled.source

4. May 16, 2005 Incident

   On May 16, 2005 a riot broke out at Ivy Ridge; eleven students escaped, 12 students were arrested and 48 were expelled.source

5. August 17, 2005 License action

   On August 17, 2005 Ivy Ridge was ordered to pay $250,000 in civil penalties, stop issuing unauthorized diplomas, stop advertising accreditation and make partial refunds.source

6. Investigation

   The Academy at Ivy Ridge agreed to pay a $250,000 fine and offer restitution to some parents in a settlement with the New York State Attorney General over its accreditation and issuing of diplomas.source

7. 2006 Lawsuit

   NAAS, which accredited the program as NWAC, was a co-defendant in a 2006 class action against the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools over the Academy at Ivy Ridge (U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York).source

8. July 2006 Lawsuit

   A class action filed July 2006 for 25 plaintiffs against Academy at Ivy Ridge, WWASPS, Robert Lichfield, Premier Educational Systems, Jason Finlinson and others alleged the school fraudulently advertised itself as accredited and licensed to issue diplomas; tuition was about $2,800 to $4,000 monthly.source

9. September 12, 2006 Injury

   Four 17-year-old boys at Academy At Ivy Ridge allegedly beat a new 14-year-old student and sent him to the hospital; the school expelled the four boys.source 1, source 2

10. October 24, 2006 License action

    Ivy Ridge Academy's accreditation did not come up for approval at the October 2006 meeting of the New York State Board of Regents, delaying the school's ability to issue high school diplomas, per NewsWatch50 in Watertown, NY.source

11. November 2006 Criminal charge

    In November 2006 two dorm parents were charged with endangering the welfare of a child for failing to prevent the assault.source

12. November 2006 License action

    In late November 2006 the New York State Education Department denied Ivy Ridge authorization to issue diplomas, calling it principally a behavior modification center; enrollment then fell from about 500 to under 100.source

13. License action

    The New York State Education Department rejected the Academy at Ivy Ridge's application and would not let it resume issuing high school diplomas, saying it was principally a behavior modification program and not a school (as quoted by HEAL from news reports).source

14. March 2007 Runaway

    Four students ran away from the Academy at Ivy Ridge in Ogdensburg, NY on March 19, 2007, forcing their way past dorm parents; spokesperson Tom Nichols described the escape.source

15. 2009 Closure order

    The program closed in 2009 following the 2005 Attorney General investigation, the riot and an enrollment decline.source

16. Reported April 2009 Investigation

    The Academy at Ivy Ridge was investigated over its accreditation, resulting in $1.65 million in refunds and fines; a riot at the school led to 40 students being expelled and enrollment dropping from 500 to fewer than 100.source

17. April 2009 Lawsuit

    In April 2009 a judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit over the diploma issue and the school closed later that year.source

18. Abuse

    Allegations include poor living conditions, unauthorized medical procedures, psychological torture, sexual abuse and physical abuse.source

19. Restraint

    Security camera videos obtained from the school show violent restraint tactics used against students.source

20. License action

    The New York Attorney General accused Ivy Ridge of issuing diplomas illegally because the accrediting association had no license to do business in New York, and of misleading parents about diplomas.source

21. License action

    Settled with the NY Attorney General: $250,000 fine and restitution over illegally issued diplomas and misleading accreditation claims.source

News coverage

• U

  The US Sun Jul 27, 2024 Lawsuit

  I was abandoned 2.5k miles from home at ‘Lord of the Flies’ troubled teen school – I thought I’d die any day from abuse

  Survivors Allen Knoll and Dave Bowsher made a documentary together called Teen Torture Inc., which is streaming now on HBO Max. Bethel Boys Academy in Lucedale, Mississippi was closed in 2008 Many pictures of students and campus life Founded in 1978 by Reverend Herman Fountain Students were repeatedly removed from campus in connection with credible allegations of child abuse beginning in 1980 yet the school was allowed to remain open for 10 more years When the state finally intervened, Herman Fountain assaulted a police officer and consequently served 9 months in prison After prison, Fountain reopened the facility under a modified name in 1994 A staff member who was known to be particularly abusive, William Knott, was never held accountable for his crimes at Bethel. However, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for child abuse at his next workplace, Restoration Youth Academy, in 2017 Includes stories from Bethel survivors Allen Knoll, Daniel Edwards, Dave Bowsher, Ralph Nock, Steven Caccamo, Colin Buckley Buckley and Caccamo are also survivors of Academy at Ivy Ridge Buckley and Caccamo founded a non-profit called the Troubled Teen Advocate Group to help other survivors Bethel survivors filed a class action lawsuit that failed Herman Fountain’s son, John, took over as director in the final years of the academy Parents filed a lawsuit against Bethel that was settled out of court A lawsuit filed by a survivor’s father resulted in Bethel and Knott being ordered to pay out nearly $1m Bethel rebranded as Eagle Point Christian Academy in 2005

• 

  The Times Jul 13, 2024 General

  ‘I’d rather die than go back’: Jamaica’s school for troubled US boys

• 

  Reason Jun 27, 2007 Expose

  Mitt Romney's Campaign Connections to Abusive Adolescent Treatment Programs

  The article examines the connections between presidential candidate Mitt Romney's campaign fundraisers and residential treatment programs facing widespread allegations of abuse. Founders Robert Lichfield of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and Mel Sembler of Straight Inc. faced numerous lawsuits and investigations regarding allegations of physical restraint, food and sleep deprivation, and psychological abuse.

• S

  The Salt Lake Tribune May 25, 2003 Corporate

  Overview of World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools Amid Costa Rica Facility Closure archived copy

  Following the arrest of director Narvin Lichfield and an exodus of students prompted by Costa Rican officials, the Academy at Dundee Ranch faced closure. The facility was part of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools network, which faced various allegations including false imprisonment, misrepresentation, and physical restraint.

Staff

Administration

• Jason Finlinson

  Former Director (2006)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Casa by the Sea Owner, Director
  • Second Chances Day Staff
  • Horizon Academy Staff
  • Cross Creek Manor Staff, 2018
  • Never Give Up Youth Healing Services Former Day staff

• Amy H. Ritchie

  Former Assistant Director of Girls Residential Life, Assistant Residential Program Director, Assistant Residential Director (2001-2008, r/troubledteens wiki)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Sunset Bay Academy Co-Founder, Program Director, 2008-2011

Notable staff

• Michael F. Camillo

  Psychiatrist

• Matt Burnham

  Former Therapistsource

• Erik Brossoit

  Former Assistant Director of Boys Residential Lifesource

• George Tulip

  Former Director of Boys Residential Lifesource

• Keith E. Renaud

  Former Dorm Parent (2006, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• Robert B. Lichfield

  Former Staffsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Provo Canyon School Dorm parent, Director, Staff, Director of Residential Living, 1977-2025
  • Teen Help Owner, 1991-2025
  • Wwasp Owner/Founder, Founder, 1997-2025
  • World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) Founder, 2009-2011
  • Teen Mentor School Founder, Owner and Administrator, Registered the business, 2010-2016
  • Cross Creek Manor Staff, 2018
  • Cross Creek Programs Founder, Owner, 2025-2026
  • Cross Creek Staff
  • Browning Distance Learning Academy owner

• Joseph Mitchell

  Former Director of Girls Residential Life (2001, r/troubledteens wiki)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Teen Help Recruiter, 1998

• John E. Free

  Former Dorm Parent (2006, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• Glenn F. Bender

  Former Staffsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Carlbrook School Dean of Academics
  • Cascade School Staff
  • Blue Ridge School Staff
  • Alldredge Wilderness Journey Director of Admissions and Marketing
  • Rocky Mountain Academy Staff
  • Academy at Swift River Admissions Director, before 2019

• Alyn Mitchell

  Former Defendantsource

Rules and practices

Practices

• Restraint
• Level system
• Behavior contracts
• Limits on contact with family

Treatment methods

• Large Group Awareness Training seminars
• Behavior modification
• Feedback or hotseat groups (the Game)

Program philosophy

• Positive Peer Culture

From the program's own papers in our library: Academy at Ivy Ridge Parent Orientation Handbook 2005; Ivy Ridge 2004 Upper Status Student's Handbook; Ivy Ridge 2004 Lower Status Student's Handbook Rev A.

Levels and phases

• In the "Youth Leadership Phase" students had to learn to confront their peers. source
• Student "bunk leaders" were responsible for other students' conduct, and "facility leaders" worked three days a week as staff assistants; both roles were required to complete the program. source
• Upper status students worked "on-shift" monitoring a "family" of lower status students. source

Rules

• Students stood at attention and marched single file to class and activities. source
• The code of conduct barred students from saying anything negative about the school, the staff, the country or other students. source
• Students could never interfere with staff "correction" of another student. source
• Items not on the "Things To Bring" list were confiscated with no guarantee of return. source
• Each class period began with five minutes of enforced silence in the "family"; no one could speak, ask a question or leave their seat. source
• Students had to raise a hand and ask permission to pass gas, then do so standing in a designated area with staff; failing to was a "CAT 1 Rude Manners" consequence. source
• Students could not speak in the classroom until a dorm parent or teacher acknowledged them and gave permission. source
• Even peer tutoring had to be listened to by a staff member or upper status student standing beside them; talking without a listener was "Unauthorized Communication". source

Punishments

• Under the "Zero Tolerance Policy", students who were aggressive, had to be physically restrained, needed long one-to-one intervention, or tried to leave were sent at the parents' expense to Tranquility Bay (Jamaica) or another placement. source
• "Runaway Talk" was a Category 3 rule violation; "Runaway Plans" was Category 4 (loss of three statuses). source
• "Self-Inflicted Injury" was listed as a Category 5 rule violation, the most serious, alongside running away and drugs, with a move back to "Regular" status with zero merits. source
• Students placed on "Intervention" status, in an office away from peers, had to write a 1,000-word essay before returning to activities. source
• Asking a teacher to clear a failed test so it could be retaken was punished as "Manipulation". source
• In the dining room, a lower status student spoken to by an upper status student received a "BRV". source
• If an unapproved movie was watched in the lounge, everyone in the room received a "BRV". source
• Every visit or home pass required a signed contract of 3-5 goals; breaking it earned a "CAT 305, violation of visit". source

Contact with family

• No phone calls were allowed until the child earned "Advanced" status; the handbook said earlier calls would let the child try to convince parents to remove them. Even then, calls were "short and not too frequent" and collect. source
• Parents were told not to ask for an exception to speak to a child who had not earned phone privileges. source
• Students could write only to their parents; parents were asked to send return-address stamps so the school could check mail came only from or went only to parents. source
• The first recommended visit was the PC1 workshop, about seven months after enrollment, and only after both parent and child had completed the Discovery seminar. source
• Parents could tour the facility at any time, but without the child seeing them. source
• A first visit was approved only if the child's phone calls with parents had been "productive". source
• Even at "Service Status", an upper status level, a student had two phone calls a month with parents (three at Honor, four at High Honor). source
• At the PC2 and PC3 Parent-Child seminars, held off campus with parents, students could not communicate with friends, call anyone but immediate family, or use the internet or email. source

Restraint, isolation and transport

• The handbook said staff restrained students only as a last resort, while also saying highly oppositional students occasionally made physical intervention unavoidable. source
• The handbook named "run-watch" and "suicide-watch" as statuses under which students were not in uniform. source
• The handbook barred students from acting as staff on transports and from assisting staff in runaway recovery outside the school. source

Searches

• Only parents could write to students, and every letter was opened in front of staff. source
• Students' belongings were inventoried after every visit, home pass or seminar. source

Therapy and seminars

• Premier Educational Seminars barred pregnant parents, those with high blood pressure or heart care, and those in intensive therapy from its parent seminars. source
• Daily "Progress Review" was a staff-run peer group in which students gave and received feedback on their problems. source
• Medication was self-administered under non-medical staff, and the handbook warned students might go without their medication for periods. source
• The school's services included no formal individual therapy; the handbook said it was usually not needed or recommended. source
• School labs were suspended during the "Premier Education seminars" held at the school. source
• Upper status students sat in on lower status students' group and were required to give feedback. source
• Students brought a signed seminar contract to Parent-Child seminars and a "Life Contract" to PC3; an unsigned seminar contract was a Category 3 violation. source
• Upper status students were used to staff the seminars. source

Daily life

• The handbook said staff weighed cost to parents against medical need when deciding whether a child saw a doctor or dentist. source
• Medical decisions were often made by non-medical staff. source

School

• Students who completed high school requirements did not receive their diploma until they left the program. source

Admission and fees

• The handbook said students who turned out to be unsuitable would be referred to a treatment program, not sent home, and that this delayed their return home. source
• The handbook disclaimed responsibility for injuries, self-harm, suicide attempts and sexual activity despite supervision. source

What parents were told

• Parents were asked to fax or email a "Commitment Letter" saying they would keep the child in the program "regardless of how long it may take"; the family representative went over it with the child. source
• The handbook told parents that a child's complaints about the school were a "tactic" to set parents and school against each other. source
• A child who complained to parents instead of filing an internal grievance was presented as likely manipulating them. source
• The handbook listed statements such as "I'm treated like a prisoner!", "No one cares about me; staff do whatever they want to me!" and "You can't believe the staff" as the child's "Guilt Trip Phase". source
• Parents were told every phase of the child's distress (denial, guilt trip, anger, negotiation) was an effort to get them to remove the child, and to "remain strong in their resolve". source
• Parents who had promised the child a set length of stay were told to take it back and tell the child they would stay until they qualified for "Completion". source
• On off-grounds visits and home passes students had to be under 100% supervision by family, with no friends. source
• On home passes the student was to keep Ivy Ridge's hours under "continuous family structure". source

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Other staff

• Carlbrook School worked at both

Ownership

• WWASPS

Wiki entries

• Academy at Ivy Ridge Ogdensburg, NY | 2001-2009

Other programs run by World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS)

• Bell(e) Academy Terra Bella, California | Closed
• Bethel Boys' Academy Lucedale, Mississippi | Closed
• Bethel Girls Academy Petal, Mississippi | Closed
• Brightway Adolescent Hospital St. George, Utah | Closed
• Camas Ranch Plains, Montana | Closed
• Canyon View Park Trout Creek, Montana | Closed
• Carolina Springs Academy Donalds, South Carolina | Closed
• Casa by the Sea Baja California, Mexico | Closed
• Coral Island Academy Fiji | Closed
• Coral Reef Academy Vaitele, Samoa
• Cross Creek Center La Verkin, Utah | Closed
• Cross Creek Manor La Verkin, Utah | Closed
• Darrington Academy Blue Ridge, Georgia | Closed
• High Impact Baja California, Mexico | Closed
• Linden House St. George, Utah | Closed
• Midwest Academy Keokuk, Iowa | Closed
• Morava Academy Brno-Bystrc, Czech Republic | Closed
• Never Give Up Youth Healing Services Amargosa Valley, Nevada | Closed
• New Beginnings Maternity Home Utah
• Oceanside Teen Center Mexico | Closed
• Old West Academy Randolph, Utah | Closed
• Paradise Cove Aufaga, Samoa | Closed
• Pillars of Hope Centro America, Costa Rica | Closed
• Pine View Christian Academy Mississippi | Closed
• Royal Gorge Academy Cañon City, Colorado | Closed
• Sky View Christian Academy Hawthorne, Nevada | Closed
• Spring Creek Lodge Academy Thompson Falls, Montana | Closed
• Sunrise Beach Cancun, Mexico | Closed
• Sunset Bay Academy México, Mexico | Closed
• Teen Mentor School Tarcoles, Costa Rica | Closed
• Tranquility Bay Calabash Bay, Jamaica | Closed
• US Youth Services Lecompte, Louisiana | Closed
• Youth Foundation Success Academy La Verkin, Utah | Closed

Materials and links

Materials the project holds for this facility. Ask through the correction form to see any of them.

News and media

• News articles

Manuals and handbooks

• Parent manual
• Student or resident manual

Other documentation

• Archived website

External links

A program's own website is linked as an archived snapshot, so the page reads as it did when it was captured.

• Archived website (Wayback Machine)
• Archived website (Wayback Machine)
• Archived website (Wayback Machine)
• Archived website (Wayback Machine)
• Archived website (Wayback Machine)
• academyivyridge.com (archived copy) live site
• Archived website (Wayback Machine)
• Archived website (Wayback Machine)
• Archived website (Wayback Machine)

Survivor posts and discussion

• Facebook group of Ivy Airheads
• reports
• Library at Ivy Ridge after it was abandoned
• Academy at Ivy Ridge
• MrYecht
• Inside the Program Podcast: Ep. 2 - The Academy at Ivy Ridge
• Inside the Program: Ep. 3: My Journey to Hell and Back

Reference and research

• Academy at Ivy Ridge Wikipedia Page
• 269. Academy at Ivy Ridge
• Academy at Ivy Ridge
• Academy at Ivy Ridge, New York
• Academy at Ivy Ridge Dispropaganda YouTube Channel
• ESAREMone Believe ft Liz Bills Music Video (2015-01-28)
• The Truth About Academy at Ivy Ridge (2009-01-04)

6 of these from SCIAD NET.

Other links

• Reform school survivors allege abuse of their personal files too (archived copy) live site
• Secret Prisons for Teens - Academy at Ivy Ridge (archived copy) live site
• Link to Survivor Testimony - WWASP Survivor (archived copy) live site
• Academy at Ivy Ridge - WWASP Survivors (archived copy) live site
• image (archived copy) live site
• image (archived copy) live site
• reports (archived copy) live site
• AIR Graduate (archived copy) live site
• Copy of Ivy Ridge Class Action Lawsuit (archived copy) live site
• Ivy Ridge Academy Staff Members Charged in Connection with Assault on Teen
• Ivy Ridge request denied, 'BLINDSIDED': State says 'behavior modification center' can't be run as private school
• Julie's Story - Breaking Code Silence (archived copy) live site
• Photos of Ivy Ridge after it was abandoned (archived copy) live site