Facility profile Georgia

Hidden Lake Academy

Formerly Ridge Creek School, Ridge Creek School (formerly Hidden Lake Academy) appearedsource

Closed Dahlonega, Georgia

Hidden Lake Academy was a therapeutic boarding school in Dahlonega, Georgia. It operated from 1994 to 2011.

About Hidden Lake Academy

It was renamed to Ridge Creek Academy; a separate entity from Ridge Creek Wilderness.source It was run by Ridge Creek, Inc. (state listings: Child Caring Institution, Mountain Brook Academy, and Outdoor Program).source CEDU-affiliated spin-off, not owned by CEDU.source Creekside Wilderness Academy renamed Ridge Creek School.source It opened opened an unlicensed wilderness program (alleged); majority of employees ex-military.source The owner is an educational consultant who refers only to his own programs and, per the report, funded creation of NATSAP (allegation by anonymous survivor).source

Its address was 830 Hidden Lake Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533.source It cost $5,400+ per month.source It cost about $5,000 per month.source Stays lasted 15 to 18 months.source

HEAL survivor report alleges HLA uses CEDU terms and techniques (peer groups, rap, bans, fall-out); original Headmaster was a former CEDU employee.source It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.source It cost $2,950 uniform, clothing, computer and testing fees due at enrollment (2010).source It charged a $600 one-time computer fee, non-refundable (2010 enrollment agreement).source

It was licensed by the Georgia agency as a Therapeutic Camp (per its grievance policy); listed as Child Caring Institution, Mountain Brook Academy and Outdoor Program.source 1, source 2 It was a member of NATSAP from 1999 to 2011.source It joined NATSAP in 1999.source

Also drawn on: Wikipedia.

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.

199420062007200920102011202519942025

  1. 1994

    1. Opened

      Opened in Dahlonega, Georgia

  2. 2006

    1. IncidentSeptember 11, 2006

      Lawsuit

      On September 11, 2006 three plaintiffs filed a federal class action petition against the school and Len Buccellato alleging uncertified teachers, unqualified...

      Lawsuit September 11, 2006

      On September 11, 2006 three plaintiffs filed a federal class action petition against the school and Len Buccellato alleging uncertified teachers, unqualified counselors, unlicensed staff dispensing medication, enrollment of court-ordered violent children and overbilling.

      source

    2. IncidentSeptember 18, 2006

      Lawsuit

      A federal class action lawsuit was filed in the Gainesville branch of the US District Court accusing Hidden Lake Academy of "tragic mistreatment of troubled...

      Lawsuit September 18, 2006

      A federal class action lawsuit was filed in the Gainesville branch of the US District Court accusing Hidden Lake Academy of "tragic mistreatment of troubled teenage students and families," per the Dahlonega Nugget.

      source

    3. IncidentNovember 8, 2006

      Lawsuit

      Hidden Lake Academy filed an answer, defenses and counterclaim to the class action complaint against it in the US District Court for the Northern District of...

      Lawsuit November 8, 2006

      Hidden Lake Academy filed an answer, defenses and counterclaim to the class action complaint against it in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division.

      source

    4. Lawsuit

      J.O.R., et al. v. Hidden Lake Academy, Inc., et al.

      J.O.R., et al. v. Hidden Lake Academy, Inc., et al.

      Four families identified by initials filed a class action complaint on September 11, 2006 in federal court in Gainesville, Georgia against Hidden Lake Academy, its related nonprofit entities, and founder Dr. Leonard Buccellato.

      Outcome: The court granted the motion to approve the distribution of settlement proceeds and the case is concluded post-judgment.

      Court
      U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division
      Case number
      2:06-cv-00146-WCO
      Status
      Closed

      All lawsuits on record

  3. 2007

    1. Incident

      Incident

      Headmaster Joe Sapp reported the school lost about 100 students between the lawsuit filing and the following August.

      Incident

      source

    2. IncidentAugust 2007

      Lawsuit

      In August 2007 a federal judge denied class action status after the school agreed to settle for a reported $400,000; the settlement was paid in full on June 30, 2009.

      Lawsuit August 2007

      source

  4. 2009

    1. IncidentAugust 2009

      Lawsuit

      A class action suit against Hidden Lake Academy was reported settled for $400,000, paid from the bankruptcy fund (August 2009 update, reported by an anonymous victim).

      Lawsuit August 2009

      A class action suit against Hidden Lake Academy was reported settled for $400,000, paid from the bankruptcy fund (August 2009 update, reported by an anonymous victim). (HEAL, Quick Links | HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY (A.K.A. RIDGE CREEK SCHOOL, RIDGE CREEK WILDERNESS) dahlonega, GA (archived 2025-07-12))

  5. 2010

    1. Incident

      Restraint

      The 2010 enrollment agreement states staff are trained and certified to perform TACT-2 therapeutic holds when necessary.

      Restraint

      source

    2. IncidentJanuary 2010

      Investigation

      In January 2010 the state of Georgia found violations when investigating Ridge Creek, Inc.

      Investigation January 2010

      In January 2010 the state of Georgia found violations when investigating Ridge Creek, Inc. - Mountain Brook Academy.

      source

  6. 2011

    1. IncidentJanuary 2011

      Incident

      Students at Ridge Creek School reportedly started a riot in January 2011, per a Fox Atlanta I-Team report; deputies responded.

      Incident January 2011

      source

    2. Closed

      Closed

  7. 2025

    1. IncidentReported July 2025

      Abuse

      A survivor reported being held in an "isolation cabin" watched 24/7, fed moldy bread and denied hygiene products and a shower.

      Abuse Reported July 2025

      A survivor reported being held in an "isolation cabin" watched 24/7, fed moldy bread and denied hygiene products and a shower. (HEAL, Quick Links | HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY (A.K.A. RIDGE CREEK SCHOOL, RIDGE CREEK WILDERNESS) dahlonega, GA (archived 2025-07-12))

    2. IncidentReported July 2025

      License action

      An anonymous survivor report alleged HLA operated for 7 years without a license as a traditional boarding school while advertising as a therapeutic school, and...

      License action Reported July 2025

      An anonymous survivor report alleged HLA operated for 7 years without a license as a traditional boarding school while advertising as a therapeutic school, and is not listed with the Office of Regulatory Services as a Residential Treatment Center. (HEAL, Quick Links | HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY (A.K.A. RIDGE CREEK SCHOOL, RIDGE CREEK WILDERNESS) dahlonega, GA (archived 2025-07-12))

    3. IncidentReported July 2025

      Restraint

      An anonymous survivor report alleged HLA performs restraints in violation of its statement against them, screens mail and limits phone contact.

      Restraint Reported July 2025

      An anonymous survivor report alleged HLA performs restraints in violation of its statement against them, screens mail and limits phone contact. (HEAL, Quick Links | HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY (A.K.A. RIDGE CREEK SCHOOL, RIDGE CREEK WILDERNESS) dahlonega, GA (archived 2025-07-12))

As Ridge Creek School

Incidents on record

  1. January 2011 Incident

    Students at Ridge Creek School reportedly started a riot in January 2011, per a Fox Atlanta I-Team report; deputies responded.source

As Hidden Lake Academy

Lawsuits

  • J.O.R., et al. v. Hidden Lake Academy, Inc., et al. 2006 | Closed | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division | 2:06-cv-00146-WCO

    Outcome: The court granted the motion to approve the distribution of settlement proceeds and the case is concluded post-judgment.

    Four families identified by initials filed a class action complaint on September 11, 2006 in federal court in Gainesville, Georgia against Hidden Lake Academy, its related nonprofit entities, and founder Dr. Leonard Buccellato. The complaint alleges that from 2000 onward the therapeutic boarding school misrepresented that its teachers were state certified and its counselors clinically trained, let unlicensed staff dispense medication, and enrolled violent students despite telling parents it did not. It also alleges routine strip searches, student labor, and undisclosed charges and mark-ups on top of an advertised all-inclusive tuition of over $5,900 a month. The copy on file is the first 27 pages of the complaint and does not show how the case ended.

Incidents on record

  1. September 18, 2006 Lawsuit

    A federal class action lawsuit was filed in the Gainesville branch of the US District Court accusing Hidden Lake Academy of "tragic mistreatment of troubled teenage students and families," per the Dahlonega Nugget.source

  2. Lawsuit

    HEAL states that the law firm Berger & Montague was representing multiple survivors and families in a class action against Hidden Lake Academy.source

  3. November 8, 2006 Lawsuit

    Hidden Lake Academy filed an answer, defenses and counterclaim to the class action complaint against it in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division.source

Incidents on record

  1. September 11, 2006 Lawsuit

    On September 11, 2006 three plaintiffs filed a federal class action petition against the school and Len Buccellato alleging uncertified teachers, unqualified counselors, unlicensed staff dispensing medication, enrollment of court-ordered violent children and overbilling.source

  2. 2007 Incident

    Headmaster Joe Sapp reported the school lost about 100 students between the lawsuit filing and the following August.source

  3. August 2007 Lawsuit

    In August 2007 a federal judge denied class action status after the school agreed to settle for a reported $400,000; the settlement was paid in full on June 30, 2009.source

  4. August 2009 Lawsuit

    A class action suit against Hidden Lake Academy was reported settled for $400,000, paid from the bankruptcy fund (August 2009 update, reported by an anonymous victim). (HEAL, Quick Links | HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY (A.K.A. RIDGE CREEK SCHOOL, RIDGE CREEK WILDERNESS) dahlonega, GA (archived 2025-07-12))

  5. 2010 Restraint

    The 2010 enrollment agreement states staff are trained and certified to perform TACT-2 therapeutic holds when necessary.source

  6. Restraint

    Ridge Creek's enrollment agreement says it is a non-restraint facility but staff are certified to perform TACT-2 therapeutic holds.source

  7. January 2010 Investigation

    In January 2010 the state of Georgia found violations when investigating Ridge Creek, Inc. - Mountain Brook Academy.source

  8. Reported July 2025 Abuse

    A survivor reported being held in an "isolation cabin" watched 24/7, fed moldy bread and denied hygiene products and a shower. (HEAL, Quick Links | HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY (A.K.A. RIDGE CREEK SCHOOL, RIDGE CREEK WILDERNESS) dahlonega, GA (archived 2025-07-12))

  9. Reported July 2025 License action

    An anonymous survivor report alleged HLA operated for 7 years without a license as a traditional boarding school while advertising as a therapeutic school, and is not listed with the Office of Regulatory Services as a Residential Treatment Center. (HEAL, Quick Links | HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY (A.K.A. RIDGE CREEK SCHOOL, RIDGE CREEK WILDERNESS) dahlonega, GA (archived 2025-07-12))

  10. Reported July 2025 Restraint

    An anonymous survivor report alleged HLA performs restraints in violation of its statement against them, screens mail and limits phone contact. (HEAL, Quick Links | HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY (A.K.A. RIDGE CREEK SCHOOL, RIDGE CREEK WILDERNESS) dahlonega, GA (archived 2025-07-12))

  11. Abuse

    A parent testified to the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor that attempted suicides, rapes, cuttings, broken limbs, zip-tying and hazing occurred and were not properly reported, with EMS records including life flight transport.source

News coverage

  • New York Times Oct 19, 2023 General

    The Troubled-Teen Industry Offers Trauma, Not Therapy

  • 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.

  • Seen 'n Heard Oct 1, 2001 General

    Seen 'n Heard - October  2001 Issue (page 1).

    The October 2001 issue of Seen 'n Heard reports a series of updates from various private schools and wilderness programs, including new leadership appointments, program openings, and accreditation approvals. No incidents of abuse or misconduct are reported. The piece serves as a directory of industry developments.

  • 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.

Staff

Administration

Notable 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

Documents

Documents on file (41)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (10)

From the Unsilenced archive

23 documents about Hidden Lake Academy that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their folders: Hidden Lake Academy, Hidden Lake Academy - Ridge Creek School, Ridge Creek.

Wiki entries

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

Advertising and marketing listings

Reference and research

7 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