Facility profile California
CEDU Middle School
CEDU Middle School was a therapeutic boarding school in Running Springs, California, operated by CEDU. It operated from 1992 to 2005.
About CEDU Middle School
It opened in 1991.
It cost $4,150 per month in 1996.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: Thread for Ways to Change or Shut down CEDU Only (2004, 7 posts)
- Fornits: Cedu Middle School (2004, 1 post)
- Fornits: Brandi Elliot Resigns (2004, 10 posts)
- Fornits: about cedu middle school.... (2004, 4 posts)
- Fornits: BRAINWASHING TECHNIQUES USED BY CEDU EXPLAINED (2005, 2 posts)
- Fornits: Brown Schools History (2005-2009, 23 posts)
- Fornits: New Zealand offspring closed (2007, 22 posts)
- Fornits: so what's with these former failed stand-up comics? (2009, 1 post)
- Fornits: Was cedu middle school the same as cedu running springs? (2009, 5 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.
1992
Opened in Running Springs, California
2001
Provo Canyon School Closure
1 article in Woodbury Reports.
Provo Canyon School Closure November 1, 2001
This industry newsletter from November 2001 compiles announcements regarding staff appointments, facility upgrades, and educational resources across various private residential and therapeutic programs for youth.
2005
Closed
Incidents on record
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Abuse
Survivors report extreme psychological abuse, sleep deprivation, physical and sexual abuse, solitary confinement and forced manual labor at CEDU Middle School.source
News coverage
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State Investigators Examine Potential Connections Between Convicted Offender and Defunct CEDU School
California Department of Justice investigators are examining potential connections between a convicted serial offender and the now-defunct CEDU School in Running Springs. The investigation focuses on whether a contracted psychiatrist's assistant was granted unsupervised access to students during the 1990s amidst broader allegations of institutional abuse and rights violations.
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Seen 'n Heard, 11/2001 - Short news clips about Special Schools & Programs
This industry newsletter from November 2001 compiles announcements regarding staff appointments, facility upgrades, and educational resources across various private residential and therapeutic programs for youth. Noticeable updates include personnel changes at CEDU schools, facility enhancements at Sunhawk Academy, and the release of a documentary featuring the wilderness program SUWS.
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TRIBUTE TO SUSAN WOLFSON
Susan Wolfson, the Non-Public School Coordinator for CEDU Middle School and CEDU High School, suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage on April 15, 1999 and died on April 16. CEDU canceled classes and provided counseling for students and faculty to process the death, and plans for a memorial garden and scholarship fund were discussed.
1 article about celebrities and viral stories
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Review of Paris Hilton's memoir
The article reviews Paris Hilton's memoir, which recounts her experiences at the Provo Canyon boarding school and CEDU program, including allegations of sexual abuse and other mistreatment. It notes her later public disclosures and the broader cultural context of her brand, while also referencing related media such as the documentary "This Is Paris."
Staff
Administration
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Brandi Elliott
Elsewhere in the industry
- Friends of Families Foundation Co-Founder, 2008
- Friends of Families Founder, 2008
- Friends of Families with Children in Crisis Foundation Staff, 2009
- Northwest Academy Director of admissions and business development, 2011-2012
- Boulder Creek Academy Interim admissions director, 2012
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David LePere
Former Director (before 2007)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Cherokee Creek Boys School Executive Director, 2007-2014
- Wilderness Quest Executive Director, before 2007
- CEDU High School Director, before 2007
- Mount Bachelor Academy Staff, before 2007
- Highland Wilderness Adventure Program Staff, 1980
- Natsap President of the Board of Directors
- Compass Rose Academy Former Board of Directors member, Board member
- CEDU Family of Services director
- Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Industry Council member
Notable staff
-
Diana Boyer
Former Admissions
Elsewhere in the industry
- Ascent Inc. Community Liaison, 2007
- CEDU High School Director of Admissions
- Auldern Academy Director of Admissions
- Cedu Manager, Family Resource Team
- Northwest Academy Director of Admissions
-
Mel Wasserman
Former Foundersource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Cedu Founder, 1967-2026
- CEDU High School Founder, 1967-2002
- Synanon Member, before 1967
- Rocky Mountain Academy Owner, 1982
Connections on the network map
The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.
Ownership
- CEDU Family of Services
Documents
Wiki entries
We have questions about CEDU Middle 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
Materials the project holds for this facility. Ask through the correction form to see any of them.
News and media
- News articles
Other documentation
- NATSAP profile
Official documentation
- Inspection reports
- State reports