DeSisto School

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

1. 1980 Abuse

   Corporal punishment including slaps to the face for lying.source

2. 1986 Runaway

   Heather Burdick ran away from DeSisto School after a few weeks, triggering a major lawsuit.source

3. 1986 Lawsuit

   Thirteen town residents filed a lawsuit against DeSisto seeking to release Heather Burdick and gain damages.source

4. 1993 Runaway

   A student ran away from a trip to Mexico and was later found in New York and dragged back.source

5. 1995 Seclusion

   A student was sat in a corner for four days without talking, standing up, or eating properly.source

6. 1995 Incident

   Two student riots occurred while the student was enrolled.source

7. 2004 Lawsuit

   Composer Michael Sottile sued DeSisto School in Berkshire Superior Court seeking damages ordered by an arbitrator for breach of contract.source

8. 2004 Incident

   A student swallowed razor blades and was not immediately provided with hospital care.source

9. 2004 Neglect

   A student struggling with self-harm cut her arms and swallowed razor blades, and staff allegedly delayed getting her medical attention for 90 minutes.source

10. 2004 Injury

    A student's hand was injured when placed in restraints.source

11. Reported April 2004 Injury

    A suicidal student broke their neck after jumping off an open balcony when staff failed to hospitalize them.source

12. Reported April 2004 Injury

    A student broke their neck after diving into a swimming pool.source

13. Reported November 2004 Abuse

    A former student recounts that founder A. Michael DeSisto struck her in the face with his college ring, leaving a scar.source

14. Reported January 2005 Injury

    A large 17-year-old student beat up a small dorm parent and put him in the hospital.source

• Fornits lead (other): An MSN community exists for former DeSisto students and staff. http://groups.msn.com/DeSistoStudents (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, April 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4096.34)
• Fornits lead (news): Articles in The Berkshire Eagle over several years document problems at the school. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, March 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4096.31)