Facility profile Massachusetts

Academy at Swift River

Closed Cummington, Massachusetts

Academy at Swift River was a therapeutic boarding school in Cummington, Massachusetts, operated by Aspen Education Group. It operated from 1997 to 2013.

About Academy at Swift River

It was operated by the Academy of Swift River, a Delaware limited liability company, per its enrollment agreement.source 1, source 2 It was renamed same location now Swift River Recovery, for adults only.source

It was a sister school to Mount Bachelor Academy; considered a CEDU spinoff.source It cost $2,500 to $5,000 per month.source It charged a $6,560 per month program fee (2010 enrollment agreement); $2,500 enrollment fee.source 1, source 2 HEAL calculated a minimum of $81,520 for 12 months ($94,640 if the teen turns 18).source

The minimum stay was 12 months.source 1, source 2 HEAL says it uses the same "Positive Control System" as WWASPS and Eagle Ranch Academy.source It accepts adjudicated youth with public funds, per HEAL.source

It was a member of CITA, NATSAP.source It was accredited by Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; SEVIS approved.source It joined NATSAP in 1999.source It was unlicensed as of 2008.source HEAL found no record it is licensed as a private school, alternative education program or LLC in Massachusetts.source HEAL says it is not licensed as a private school, alternative education program or special education school in Massachusetts.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

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.

199720062008201319972013

  1. 1997

    1. Opened

      Opened in Cummington, Massachusetts

  2. 2006

    1. IncidentJanuary 2006

      Death

      HEAL links an article, dated January 22, 2006, about a Swift River former student who died of an overdose.

      Death January 2006

      source

  3. 2008

    1. Incident

      Lawsuit

      The program was named in two lawsuits, one in 2008 and one in 2010; the outcomes are unclear.

      Lawsuit

      source

  4. 2013

    1. Closed

      Closed

    2. ClosedJuly 10, 2013

      CRC Health Group: Closed three Eastern therapeutic boarding schools and two wilderness programs

      CRC Health Group: Closed three Eastern therapeutic boarding schools and two wilderness programs July 10, 2013

      Aspen Education Group, part of CRC, announced it would close the Academy at Swift River (Cummington, MA), Talisman Academy (Hendersonville, NC), Stone Mountain School (Black Mountain, NC), SUWS Adolescent and Youth Programs (Shoshone, ID) and Adirondack Leadership Expeditions (Saranac Lake, NY) that summer. It cited families' inability to get credit or loans to pay for treatment.

      source

Lawsuits

Every case in the lawsuit directory

Incidents on record

  1. January 2006 Death

    HEAL links an article, dated January 22, 2006, about a Swift River former student who died of an overdose.source

  2. 2008 Lawsuit

    The program was named in two lawsuits, one in 2008 and one in 2010; the outcomes are unclear.source

  3. Abuse

    Survivors report forced labor, humiliation, isolation, coercion, physical punishments and emotional abuse.source

  4. Abuse

    A former student quoted by HEAL alleged that the school used intense peer pressure, long confrontation sessions and manipulation, which he called brainwashing, and that students did physical training as consequences.source

  5. Abuse

    A survivor account on HEAL alleges group sessions of peer screaming and mental pressure, and physical-training consequences in its wilderness phase.source

  6. Abuse

    HEAL wrote that the program reportedly includes physical abuse and humiliating verbal attacks on the children.source

News coverage

  • FamilyLight Dec 8, 2009 Closure

    A License Suspended

    This blog post examines the abrupt license suspension and subsequent closure of Mt. Bachelor Academy by Oregon authorities following allegations of abusive practices, including sleep deprivation, aggressive peer confrontation groups, and inappropriate role-play requirements. The author critiques both the historical use of harsh emotional growth methods by parent corporations such as Aspen Education and CRC Health, and the sudden, unannounced manner in which the state executed the facility's closure.

  • cafety.org Aug 17, 2006 Event

    Upon discharge from programs, teens report happiness

    A multi‑center study of nearly 1,000 adolescents in private residential treatment programs reported significant reductions in behavioral and emotional problems from admission to discharge. Both parents and the youths themselves indicated improvements in communication, family relationships, and overall functioning. The findings were presented at the American Psychological Association meeting in August 2006.

  • Woodbury Reports Oct 1, 2001 General

    Seen and Heard - October 2001

    This industry newsletter compilation details various administrative updates, staff appointments, program expansions, and leadership changes across multiple therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness programs, and youth residential facilities for October 2001. Notices include new program accreditations, facility curriculum updates, and personnel transitions within the troubled teen industry.

  • Woodbury Reports Apr 1, 1998 General

    Seen 'n Heard, 4/1998 - Short news clips about Special Schools & Programs

    The article reports on a series of brief news items concerning various residential programs and related legislative proposals, including the death of an adjudicated youth at Arizona Boys Ranch and a California bill to create a new Juvenile Services Facility license category. It also notes expansions, staffing changes, and new program offerings at several private schools and treatment centers across the United States.

Videos

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Staff

Administration

  • John Marquis

    Former Executive Director (2010)source

  • Don Vardell

    Former Executive Director (2007)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Frank Bartolomeo

    Former Interim Executive Director, Executive Director (2007)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • The Spire School at Greenwich Education and Prep Executive Director, 2010
    • The Spire School Executive Director, 2012
    • Rushford Vice President of Child and Adolescent Services, 2012
    • Rushford at Stonegate Springs Vice President of Child and Adolescent Services, 2013

  • Bar Clarke

    Former Executive Director (2013)source

  • Jason Bennett

    Former Program Director (2010)source

  • Rudy Bentz

    Former Dean of Student Life, Headmaster (1997-2025, r/troubledteens wiki)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Tim Brace

    Former Founder and Executive Director, Executive Director (1997, r/troubledteens wiki)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Christopher Carlin

    Former Program Director (2003-2025, r/troubledteens wiki)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Michael Charnley

    Former Residential Staff and Counselor, Program Director (2000-2009, r/troubledteens wiki)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

Notable staff

  • Dan DuBois

    Former Academic Director (2008)source

  • Fred Sperry

    Former Therapist (2005)source

  • Ben Warner

    Former Residential mentor (2008)source

  • Mary Jo DeGrandi

    Former Admissions Director (2013)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Jamie Bishop

    Former Outdoor Instructor (2013)source

  • Craig Bettenhausen

    Former Teacher (2005)source

  • Jeremy Sullivan

    Former Clinical Director (2010)source

  • Samantha Cole

    Former Staff (unspecified) (before 2014)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Daniel Nicewicz

    Former Cook (2005)source

  • Amy L. Robichaud

    Former Staff (before 2011)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Vincent Schmidt

    Former Founding Therapist/Clinical Manager, Clinical Manager (1995)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Ashby Academy Director of Admissions and Marketing, 2006
    • SUWS Adolescent and Youth Program Director of Admissions, 2007

  • Ann-Mary Cloutier

    Former Learning Specialist (2013)source

  • Brian Rank

    Former Passages Mentor (2005)source

  • Cindy Efinger

    Former Head of Residential Program (2013)source

  • Chessie Bloom

    Former Residential mentor (2008)source

  • Paul Ravenscraft

    Former Director of Admissions and Marketing (2007)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Brian Gage

    Former Residential Mentor (2005)source

  • Peter W. Stevens

    Former Interim Academic Director (2013)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • ASD Support Services Advisory Board member / educational consultant, 2014
    • Oliverian School Dean of Academics, 2008

  • Jackie MacNeish

    Former Physical education program (2008)source

  • Carey Maguire

    Former Residential Mentor (2005)source

  • GL Mazard Wallace

    Former Residential Mentor (2005)source

  • Lisa Hunt

    Former Admissions counselor (2008)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Project Adventure, Inc. Senior Trainer and Consultant, before 2008

  • Tracy Edwards

    Former Director of Residential Life (before 2012)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Michael Kilfeather

    Former Residential Mentor (2005)source

  • Deborah Young

    Former Teacher (2005)source

  • Sharon Hartunian

    Former Staff (2013)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Audrey Everson

    Former Clinical Counselor (2002, r/troubledteens wiki)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Erica Thiessen-House

    Former Lead Peer Group Counselor (2001, r/troubledteens wiki)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Hannah Price

    Former Staffsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Christopher Locke

    Former Unknown positionsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Andrew Coe

    Former Assistant Director of Counselingsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Glenn F. Bender

    Former Admissions Directorsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Brian Ray

    Former Assistant Dean of Admissionssource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Jill Bentz

    Former Director of Trainingsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Alix Nelson

    Former Counselorsource

  • Bethany Flagg

    Former Residentialsource

  • Brenda Stokes

    Former Exec. Asst.source

  • Brittany Gutermuth

    Former Teachersource

  • Charles Tripler

    Former Teachersource

  • Cherie Dame

    Former Residentialsource

  • Christopher Kusmeskus

    Former Residentialsource

  • Clayton Salem

    Former Residentialsource

  • Colleen Ryor

    Former Teachersource

  • Dan Phoenix

    Former Residentialsource

  • Dana Dodge

    Former Maintenancesource

  • David Martin

    Former Maintenance/Facilitiessource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Deb McGranaghan

    Former Counselorsource

  • Dennis Wilcox

    Former Registrarsource

  • Elizabeth Donahue

    Former Counselorsource

  • Erin Flemming

    Former Nursesource

  • Geri Wilcox

    Former Finance Managersource

  • Greg Williams

    Former Teachersource

  • Iris Martin

    Former Residentialsource

  • Jean Wagner

    Former Nursesource

  • Jeff Winston

    Former Teachersource

  • Jennifer LaForest

    Former Teachersource

  • Jon Wallender

    Former Teachersource

  • Jordana Amato

    Former Counselorsource

  • Judith Lyons

    Former Learning Specialistsource

  • Kalei Carlson

    Former Residentialsource

  • Kathy Blackburn

    Former Counselorsource

  • Linda Capen

    Former Transportationsource

  • Lisa DeLisle

    Former HR Managersource

  • Marc Stanislas

    Former Residentialsource

  • Mark Piaget

    Former Residentialsource

  • Martha Ballou-Baldwin

    Former Admin. Asst.source

  • Melinda Misener

    Former Teachersource

  • Michael Griffin

    Former Residentialsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Michael Richtell

    Former Residentialsource

  • Nayiree Roubinian

    Former Admin. Asst.source

  • Nicholas Watroba

    Former Math Teachersource

  • Phil Buffum

    Former Facilities Asst.source

  • Rhonda Papallo

    Former Admissions Directorsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Stonegate at Rushford H3W Facilitator

  • Richard Champoux

    Former Nursesource

  • Richard Curtis

    Former Counselorsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Family Support Collaborative Clinical Interventionist

  • Ruth Moore

    Former HIPAA Officersource

  • Shelly Ispan-Laing

    Former Staffsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Shelly Szkutak

    Former Residentialsource

  • Ted Sisley

    Former IT Managersource

  • Thom Pasculli

    Former Residentialsource

  • Todd Lavigne

    Former Residentialsource

  • Adele Logan O’Keefe

    Admin

    Elsewhere in the industry

Rules and practices

Practices

  • Limits on contact with family

Treatment methods

  • Large Group Awareness Training seminars
  • Wilderness therapy
  • Feedback or hotseat groups (the Game)

From the program's own papers in our library: Academy at Swift River Family Handbook.

Rules

  • The "no sex" agreement covered holding hands and flirting and banned romantic relationships between students; breaking a major agreement could bring restrictions or expulsion. source
  • Girls had to be clothed going to the showers because male staff might be supervising the dorms; staff were to roam in and out of every dorm room during dorm times. source
  • During "Pathways" students could have no personal items such as photos, stuffed animals or books; after the first Resolution they could receive photos of immediate family only (no friends) and three books. source

Punishments

  • "Bans" barred a student from any communication, including talking and eye contact, with another student or from an activity; the handbook said most kids would go on bans at some point. source
  • Weekend "Work Projects" such as shoveling, gardening and cleaning buildings were given as consequences for negative behavior. source
  • The "no violence" agreement counted self-harm and starving alongside fighting and graffiti; breaches were met with consequences from restrictions to expulsion. source
  • Restrictions were folders of writing assignments in three levels: "Reflections" (3-7 days), "Challenges" (7-10 days, with a weekend of work projects) and "Self Studies" (10-12 days, for running away or repeated breaches), which removed all free time and added weekend work projects, early wake-ups and many bans. source
  • Restriction writing assignments used a "Think, Feel, Do" model whose middle section pushed students into past pain such as adoption, loss or eating disorders; the handbook said students were often in an emotional state for days and regressed, and called this expected. source

Contact with family

  • Visits were tied to Family Resolutions: the first visit was on campus, the first off-campus visit (3 nights in a hotel) came after the second Resolution, and the first home visit after the third. source
  • All mail sent and received was read and approved by the student's counselor; outgoing letters had to be turned in unsealed. source
  • Letters with swearing or an "unhealthy" style such as threatening or blaming were not sent; the student or family member was counseled and made to rewrite them. source
  • On arrival students could write only to parents, siblings and grandparents; extended family was added after the first Resolution. source
  • After the second Resolution a student could propose writing to 3 friends approved by parents and counselors; these were the only friends the student could see on the first home visit, and two more were allowed after it. source

Searches

  • Mentors searched students' clothing and luggage at enrollment and on return from visits; staff liaisons also did random dorm searches. source
  • Every package was checked by a counselor before the student got it, and outgoing packages were checked by staff. source

Therapy and seminars

  • The handbook said the program was moving to an approach "relational in nature rather than confrontational" and away from a traditional "emotional growth" school. source
  • Students went through five "Lifesteps", full-day emotional workshops on anger and fear, insecurities and "cover-ups", shame, and forgiveness; parents took part in portions of them at Family Resolutions. source
  • Group therapy met three times a week in circles of about 15 students and 2 staff; students were asked to share very intimate details of their lives and received very direct feedback. source
  • At the "Personal Challenge" after the fourth Lifestep, each student performed a staff-chosen task in front of the whole school and their parents, such as a shy student singing and dancing. source
  • Students took part in Native American sweat lodges run by ASR staff, four rounds over about two hours in the dark and heat; the handbook said they were not life-threatening and not required. source
  • The handbook said parents were notified and their consent obtained before treatments, "medications (non psychotropic)" and referrals; a contracted psychiatrist managed psychotropic medication weekly. source

Admission and fees

  • The handbook strongly recommended a wilderness program before enrollment and said almost 60% of students came directly from one. source

What parents were told

  • At each of five "Family Resolutions" parents first met staff in the Great Room without their children, then joined them for multi-family group therapy of about four families. source
  • The handbook told parents not to send many gifts to soften homesickness, saying the child needed to feel the loneliness and sadness of being away from loved ones. source
  • The handbook told parents that most belongings students said were stolen were really lost or misplaced, and asked parents to report unfamiliar items their child sent home. source

Connections on the network map

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Other staff

Documents

Documents on file (48)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (20)

From the Unsilenced archive

88 documents about Academy at Swift River 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 Swift River.

Documents (88)

From SCIAD NET

1 document about Academy at Swift River that Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. SCIAD NET keeps it on Google Drive, where it opens.

Wiki entries

Materials and links

Government records

1 of these from SCIAD NET.

Survivor posts and discussion

Advertising and marketing listings

Reference and research

3 of these from SCIAD NET.

Archived pages

From SCIAD NET.

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction