Facility profile California
Cascade School
Cascade School was a therapeutic boarding school in Whitmore, California. It operated from 1984 to 2003.
About Cascade School
The campus was sold to River View Christian Academy.source It was founded by Michael Allgood.source
It was a member of NATSAP (original founding member).source It joined NATSAP in 1999.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: Prisc. Bleke connection (2002-2009, 4 posts)
- Fornits: Cascade Closing-DECREASED ENROLLMENT (2004-2011, 178 posts)
- Fornits: Mr. Kerr/Cascade Lawsuit (2004-2005, 6 posts)
- Fornits: Cedu survivor from 82-85 wants feedback from all (2004-2006, 105 posts)
- Fornits: Behavior Modification: Persuasion, Manipulation, and Coercio (2004, 13 posts)
- Fornits: Cedu and Cascade are related there was a walk out at Cascad (2004-2017, 26 posts)
- Fornits: CASCADE SCHOOL (2004, 3 posts)
- Fornits: Former students, staff, and observers discuss Cascade School and its closure (2004-2009) (2004-2009, 110 posts)
- Fornits: Oh the memories... (2004, 1 post)
- Fornits: Your little boy or girl would never do this!!!!! (2005, 3 posts)
- Fornits: cascade/cedu (2005, 6 posts)
- Fornits: Emotional abuse charlatan decieves parents manipulates teens (2005-2006, 10 posts)
- Fornits: Cascade 1989-1991 (2006, 4 posts)
- Fornits: Cascade Teacher (2006, 1 post)
- Fornits: Marathon Workshops (2006, 56 posts)
- Fornits: CASCADE/ CEDU STAFF overlaps (2007-2011, 5 posts)
- Fornits: Running Springs/John Padgett BITES THE BIG ONE. (2007-2009, 24 posts)
- Fornits: What is known about Shepherd's Ranch Christian Academy (2008-2012, 5 posts)
- Fornits: CEDUWATCH updated list (2009-2012, 64 posts)
- Fornits: Posters discuss the 2009 shutdown of Mount Bachelor Academy for abuse and neglect (2009, 231 posts)
- Fornits: Accountability (2010, 7 posts)
- Fornits: Posters discuss employee arrest and conditions at Julian Youth Academy in 2011 to 2012 (2011-2012, 66 posts)
- Fornits: Cascade School (2017, 1 post)
Incidents on record
News coverage
-
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.
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Seen 'n Heard - Apr, 2000 Issue (page 3)
The April 2000 issue of Seen 'n Heard reports several updates on special schools and programs, including the formation of a new non‑profit, staffing changes, and upcoming wilderness therapy sessions. No allegations of abuse or misconduct are reported.
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Letters to the Editor
Letters published in Woodbury Reports in February 1995 feature feedback from parents expressing satisfaction with various youth transport services, emotional growth programs, and wilderness treatment facilities. The correspondence outlines parental experiences utilizing companies such as West Shield for adolescent transport to programs including SUWS, Mount Bachelor, Cascade, and the Wilderness Treatment Center.
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Seen 'n Heard, 4/1992
This newsletter issue provides brief industry updates regarding various residential schools and emotional growth programs, including staff appointments, insurance funding strategies, and upcoming program activities. Mentioned facilities include Elan School, Cascade School, Glenholme School, Cross Creek Manor, Amity School, and Mt. Bachelor Academy.
2 articles about celebrities and viral stories
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Memoir Details Allegations of Institutional Misconduct at Provo Canyon School
In her memoir 'Paris,' celebrity advocate Paris Hilton details allegations of physical restraint, chemical restraint, seclusion, and medical misconduct during her time as a resident at Provo Canyon School and other treatment facilities. The publication of the book coincides with her ongoing advocacy for increased industry regulations, transparency, and oversight within the troubled teen industry.
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Paris Hilton documentary explained: What's #BreakingCodeSilence?
The article outlines the #BreakingCodeSilence movement, which encourages former participants of boarding‑school‑style behavior‑modification programs to share their experiences. It references Paris Hilton’s testimony about alleged abuse at facilities such as Provo Canyon School and describes broader claims of harsh discipline, forced labor, and chemical restraint within the troubled teen industry.
Videos
Staff
Administration
-
Jackson Culotta
Former Headmaster (2000, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Cherokee Creek Boys School Headmaster, Co-Founder and Headmaster
- Rocky Mountain Academy Staff
- CEDU Therapist and CEDU Admin
- Boulder Creek Academy Program Director, before 2000
Notable staff
-
Michael Allgood
Founder (1984, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- CEDU Foundation Family head, 1973
- Natsap Board member, 1999
- CEDU High School Family Head, before 1984
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Barbara Cass
-
Matthew Lovell
Former Program Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Carlbrook School Dean of Advising
- Mount Bachelor Academy Program Director
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Suzanne Caswell
Former Associate Head/Directorsource
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Charlie Price
Former Academic Deansource
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Genelle Petrey-Boeggeman
Former Admissions, Academics and Nursing Departmentssource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Mount Bachelor Academy Director of Admissions
- Cherokee Creek Boys School Executive Director
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Genelle Petry
Former Admissions Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Cherokee Creek Boys School Director of Admissions, Executive Director, and Mentor
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Glenn F. Bender
Former Staffsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Carlbrook School Dean of Academics
- Blue Ridge School Staff
- Alldredge Wilderness Journey Director of Admissions and Marketing
- Academy at Ivy Ridge Staff
- Rocky Mountain Academy Staff
- Academy at Swift River Admissions Director, before 2019
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John Padgett
Former CEDU staff member (1984, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- CEDU Family of Services
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Paula Rudy
Former Master Facilitatorsource
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Sunny Weir
Former Director of Admissionssource
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Ron Cavanaugh
Former Staffsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Mount Bachelor Academy Residence Supervisor
- Cedu Staff
- Amity School Staff
Connections on the network map
The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.
Member
- NATSAP
Other staff
Documents
From the Unsilenced archive
62 documents about Cascade School that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Cascade School.
Documents
- 200_evacuated_in_California_as_fires_destroy__damage_homes___1988_09_19.pdf
- 200_flee_Northern_California_fires___1988_09_19.pdf
- 2_Calif_fires_put_200_on_run___1988_09_19.pdf
- 5_seek_3_seats_in_Whitmore___1991_11_02.pdf
- 5_teens_found_in_Lassen_had_real_survival_class___Part_1___1985_10_24.pdf
- 5_teens_found_in_Lassen_had_real_survival_class___Part_2___1985_10_24.pdf
- 5_teens_missing_in_Lassen_wilderness___1985_10_23.pdf
- A_prep_rally_in_California___Part_1___2008_10_08.pdf
- A_prep_rally_in_California___Part_2___2008_10_08.pdf
- Additional Links for Cascade School.xlsx
- Additional Links for Cate School.xlsx
- Advocacy_firm_has_new_office___2002_01_04.pdf
- An_exercise_in_excess___2005_06_05.pdf
- Arson_fires_raging_out_of_control_in_California___1988_09_19.pdf
- Attitude_counts_for_more_than_you_think___Part_1___2002_09_29.pdf
- Attitude_counts_for_more_than_you_think___Part_2___2002_09_29.pdf
- BAR_approves_increase_in_foster_home_residents___1985_02_08.pdf
- Calif__fires_force_evacuations__Yellowstone_gets_help_from_cold___1988_09_19.pdf
- California_brush_fires_consume_more_homes___1988_09_19.pdf
- Cascade School.pdf
- Cascade_s_closure_is_a_tragedy___2004_01_24.pdf
- Christopher_Orwig_Obituary___2004_10_09.pdf
- Elite_boarding_school_closes___Part_1___2004_01_15.pdf
- Elite_boarding_school_closes___Part_2___2004_01_15.pdf
- Fitness_Gurus___1996_02_05.pdf
- Five_girls_rescued___1985_10_25.pdf
- Five_teen_girls_rescued_in_snow___1985_10_24.pdf
- Five_teenage_girls_rescued_3_days_in_Lassen_snow___1985_10_24.pdf
- Five_teenagers_missing_near_Lassen___1985_10_23.pdf
- Five_teens_missing_in_Lassen_wilderness___1985_10_23.pdf
- For_the_record___1994_03_31.pdf
- Former_Carpinteria_teacher_is_suspected_in_sex_abuse_cases___Part_1___2021_08_06.pdf
- Former_Carpinteria_teacher_is_suspected_in_sex_abuse_cases___Part_2___2021_08_06.pdf
- Gary_Moniz_Obituary___2004_04_30.pdf
- Lassen_deputies_resume_research_for_five_missing_teenaged_girls___1985_10_23.pdf
- Laughing_matters___2002_12_01.pdf
- Lost_teens_found___1985_10_24.pdf
- Marilou_Murphy_Obituary___2021_08_19.pdf
- Memoir_recounts_family_tumult___2005_08_21.pdf
- Missing_students_are_found__were_prepared_for_long_stay___1985_10_24.pdf
- More_fires_in_West__progress_made_in_Yellowstone___1988_09_19.pdf
- Northern_California_fires_force_evacuations___1988_09_19.pdf
- Peter_Towson_graduates_from_MICA_in_Baltimore___2004_05_30.pdf
- Private_school_in_Whitmore_wins_expansion_OK___1985_07_26.pdf
- Raymon_Tiffany_MD_Obituary___2006_05_05.pdf
- School_puts_agents_to_the_test___Part_1___2005_05_28.pdf
- School_puts_agents_to_the_test___Part_2___2005_05_28.pdf
- Schoolgirls_disappear_during_hike___1985_10_23.pdf
- Schools_reel_after_teacher_s_arrest___2021_11_01.pdf
- Searchers_find_5_schoolgirls___1985_10_24.pdf
- Sex_abuse_allegations_made_at_private_school___2021_07_02.pdf
- Sexual_abuse_allegations_at_elite_campus___Part_1___2021_07_02.pdf
- Sexual_abuse_allegations_at_elite_campus___Part_2___2021_07_02.pdf
- Snow_signals_the_beginning_of_the_end_in_park_fire_fight___1988_09_19.pdf
- Storm_should_diminish_today___Part_1___1985_10_23.pdf
- Storm_should_diminish_today___Part_2___1985_10_23.pdf
- Teens_found_safe_after_3_days_in_Lassen_snow___1985_10_24.pdf
- Teens_lost_in_the_wilds_get_a_real_survival_class___Part_1___1985_10_24.pdf
- Teens_lost_in_the_wilds_get_a_real_survival_class___Part_2___1985_10_24.pdf
- Whitemore_starts_to_grow_up_from_German_roots___1985_08_08.pdf
- Yellowstone_gets_help_from_snow___1988_09_19.pdf
- Zachary_David_Sotman_Obituary___2015_11_05.pdf
Wiki entries
We have questions about Cascade School
If you were there, worked there or sent your child there, you can help fill in what our records are missing. Each question takes a moment; skip anything you do not know.
Materials and links
External links
A program's own website is linked as an archived snapshot, so the page reads as it did when it was captured.
Survivor posts and discussion
Reference and research
- Secret Prisons for Teens - Cascade School
- Beyond Therapeutic: A Story that is Both Shocking and Inspiring (2007-06-26)
- Oh the Glory of it all - Excerpt (2006-04-25)
- Cascade School Fornit Wiki
- Oh the Glory of It All (2006-04-25)
- Lee Veltman: The Cascade School, CEDU and the Troubled Teen Industry (2016-10-22)
From SCIAD NET.