Facility profile Oregon
Academy at Sisters
Academy at Sisters was a therapeutic boarding school in Bend, Oregon, formerly run by J Bar J Youth Services. It operated from 1994 to 2025.
About Academy at Sisters
It was operated by J Bar J Youth Services.source It closed in 2025.source
It offers a Pathways program for graduates 18+ transitioning to full independence.source Students in the Learning Center meet with local business owners and executives from companies such as Nike, Google, Microsoft, IBM, NBC and Apple to discuss keys to success.source Stays lasted 12 to 24 months.source It cost $5,400 per month tuition (2010 contract), plus a $6,000 deposit.source 1, source 2 5-level system (Level 0 to IV) with point cards, house restriction and low spend punishments.source It authorizes release of information to Next Step for Success parent coaches.source
It was accredited by Northwest Association of Accredited Schools; registered with Oregon Department of Education.source
Survivor testimony
What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.
Reported on survivor forums
- Fornits: Parents and survivors debate practices at Copper Canyon Academy and Sisters (2005-2006) (2005-2006, 40 posts)
- Fornits: The Academy at Sisters, OR (2005, 7 posts)
- Fornits: Forum members warn teenager facing placement at Academy at Sisters 2010-2020 (2010-2020, 422 posts)
- Fornits: Looks like somebody posted Morgan's parents to ED (2010, 104 posts)
- Fornits: Morgan G. Read this NOW! Emergency! (2010, 6 posts)
- Fornits: Dr. Phil again and again (2010, 22 posts)
Timeline
From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.
1994
Opened in Bend, Oregon
2010
Abuse
HEAL received two family reports alleging abuse and violations, one in 2008 and one in May 2010.
Abuse
source
2019
Injury
The lawsuit alleges that on January 27, 2019 a student attacked a resident for about 15 seconds while a staff member stood in the room, causing loss of...
Injury January 27, 2019
The lawsuit alleges that on January 27, 2019 a student attacked a resident for about 15 seconds while a staff member stood in the room, causing loss of consciousness and tooth injury, and that staff refused to take her to a doctor.
2020
Runaway
A 2020 survivor reports running away from the La Pine branch and hitchhiking 40 miles before being caught.
Runaway
2021
Runaway
A January 2021 survivor review reports two residents took the office master key, money and a program vehicle and ran away at night.
Runaway January 2021
Lawsuit
A $2.3 million lawsuit filed August 2, 2021 against J Bar J Youth Services alleges a no-intervention policy left a former resident with a traumatic brain...
Lawsuit August 2, 2021
A $2.3 million lawsuit filed August 2, 2021 against J Bar J Youth Services alleges a no-intervention policy left a former resident with a traumatic brain injury and damaged teeth after an attack by another student.
2025
Closed
Incidents on record
-
2010 Abuse
HEAL received two family reports alleging abuse and violations, one in 2008 and one in May 2010.source
-
January 27, 2019 Injury
The lawsuit alleges that on January 27, 2019 a student attacked a resident for about 15 seconds while a staff member stood in the room, causing loss of consciousness and tooth injury, and that staff refused to take her to a doctor.source
-
2020 Runaway
A 2020 survivor reports running away from the La Pine branch and hitchhiking 40 miles before being caught.source
-
January 2021 Runaway
A January 2021 survivor review reports two residents took the office master key, money and a program vehicle and ran away at night.source
-
August 2, 2021 Lawsuit
A $2.3 million lawsuit filed August 2, 2021 against J Bar J Youth Services alleges a no-intervention policy left a former resident with a traumatic brain injury and damaged teeth after an attack by another student.source
-
Abuse
Survivors report psychological/emotional abuse, restricting food, medical neglect, violent physical restraints, solitary confinement tactics and forced manual labor.source
Videos
Staff
Administration
-
Stephanie Alvstad
Former Executive Director (2009)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- J Bar J Youth Services Executive Director, 2008
Notable staff
-
Mara Mueller
Former Staff (2013)source
-
Christina Wilson
Former Staff (2008)source
-
Betsy Jacobson-Warren
Former Marketing Director (2012)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Healing Reins Therapeutic Riding Center Executive Director, 2006
- New Leaf Academy of Oregon Admissions Director, 2008
- Ponca Pines Academy Executive Director, Launched and directed, 2008-2025
- Natsap Board of Directors member, before 2025
- Sedona Sky Academy Former Executive Director
-
Chesley Strowd
Former Admissions (2007-2012)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- NorthStar Center Admissions Director, 2008
-
Connie Peters
Former Instructor (2012)source
-
Janet Bedell
Former Teacher (Read Campus) (2009)source
-
Gemma Biancucci
Former Therapist (2012)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- NorthStar Center Former Therapist
-
Guy Leguyonne
Former Marketing and Admissions Coordinator, Admissions (2008-2009)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Clear Vision Consulting Owner, 2004
- Introspections Costa Rica (ICR) Director of Communications, 2006
- Introspections of Costa Rica Admissions Director, 2007
- SageWalk Wilderness Former Admissions Director (2001)
-
Denise Kelly-Simpson
Former Admissions office, Admissions (2008-2012)source
-
Dr. Julie Schneider
Former Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director (2009-2012)source
-
Rick Buening
Former Academic Director (2012)source
-
Janice Cummings
Former Admissions Directorsource
-
Mindy Elliott
Former Program Co-Directorsource
-
Suzy Rosen
Former Clinical Directorsource
-
Sandy Vaughn
Former Program Co-Directorsource
-
Angelina Montoya
Former Medical Mgmtsource
-
Jenny Fischer
Former Behavioristsource
-
Rick O'Dell
Former Operations Managersource
Licensing and inspections
- Licensed as
- The Academy at Sisters; JBARJ Youth Services - The Academy at Sisters
- License category
- (TBS) Therapeutic Boarding Schools
8 inspection reports on file. Search all Oregon reports
Every report, by date
- Jun 12, 2023 Unannounced - 7 findings
- Jun 12, 2023 Unannounced - 7 findings
- Nov 1, 2022 Unannounced - 9 findings
- Nov 1, 2022 Unannounced - 9 findings
- Jul 5, 2022 License Renewals - 3 findings
- Jul 5, 2022 License Renewals - 3 findings
- Oct 26, 2021 Unannounced - 10/26/2021
- Oct 26, 2021 Unannounced - 10/26/2021
Connections on the network map
The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.
Documents
Woodbury Reports Mentions (17)
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Woodbury Reports, April 2009 (#176), P. 18: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, August 2010, P. 15: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, August 2013, P. 6: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, December 2008 (#172), P. 23: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, December 2011, P. 11: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, December 2012, Pp. 10, 12: Academy At Sisters; San Cristobal Ranch Academy; Anasazi Foundation Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, July 2008 (#167), P. 17: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, June 2008 (#166), P. 31: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, June 2008 (#166), P. 31: Sandhill Child Development Center; CALO Programs; Academy At Sisters; Evangelhouse Christian Academy Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, June 2012, P. 14: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, March 2009 (#175), P. 19: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, May 2007 (#153), P. 20: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, November 2009 (#183), P. 12: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, October 2008 (#170), P. 30: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, October 2012, Pp. 5-6: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, September 2010, P. 10: Academy At Sisters; Agape Baptist Academy Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, September 2012, P. 12: Academy At Sisters Woodbury Reports page
From the Unsilenced archive
48 documents about Academy at Sisters that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Academy at Sisters.
Documents
- 2021QTR4-JBJYS-Academy-RIS.pdf
- 2022QTR1-JBJYS-Academy-RIS.pdf
- 2022QTR2-JBJYS-Academy-RIS.pdf
- AAS-Release-Forms-2021B.pdf
- AAS-Release-Forms-8-2021.pdf
- AAS-Tuition-Agreement-2021B.pdf
- AAS-Tuition-Agreement-2021C.pdf
- AAS-Tuition-Agreement-8-2021.pdf
- AAS_Release-Forms2019.pdf
- AAS_Tuition-Agreement2019.pdf
- AAS_Tuition-Agreement2020B.pdf
- Acad. Appl. Rev.10-99.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Application.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Level 0 Point Card Sample p.2.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Level 0 Point Card Sample.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Level Criteria p.1.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Level Expectations p.1.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Level Work p.1.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Level Work p.2.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Level Work p.3.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Level Work p.4.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Low Spend Guidelines.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Release Agreement.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Tactics p.1.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Thinking Changing Rearranging Worksheet.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Thinking Errors p.1.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Thinking Errors p.2.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Thinking Errors p.3.pdf
- Academy at Sisters TPA Given to Parents p.1.pdf
- Academy at Sisters TPA Given to Parents p.2.pdf
- Academy at Sisters TPA Given to Parents p.3.pdf
- Academy at Sisters Tuition Contract 2009.pdf
- Academy at Sisters.pdf
- Academy-2019-20-Course-Schedule.pdf
- Academy-2019-immunization.pdf
- Academy-at-Sisters-2020-21-course-schedule.pdf
- Academy-at-Sisters-Application-2021.pdf
- Academy-at-Sisters-Application.pdf
- Additional Links for Academy at Sisters.xlsx
- AdministrativeManagement.pdf
- ApplicationForAdmission.pdf
- ApplicationForAdmission2006.pdf
- ApplicationForAdmissionV4A.pdf
- Deschutes-Co.-Immunzation-rates.pdf
- Immunization-report-21.pdf
- JBJYS TBS Unannounced 10-26-2021.pdf
- People v. S.R. (In re S.R.).pdf
- Referral-Agent-Disclosure-Guide.pdf
Wiki entries
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Materials and links
External links
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