Facility profile Missouri
Kansas City Girls Academy
Formerly Highland Girls Academy, Highlands Girls Academysource
Also known as Teen Challenge Kansas City Girls Academy
Kansas City Girls Academy is a christian boarding school in Kansas City, Missouri, operated by Teen Challenge. It has operated since 2007.
About Kansas City Girls Academy
It was purchased by Teen Challenge and reopened as Highlands Girls Academy.source
It cost $4,085 per month ($49,020 per year).source
Also drawn on: Unsilenced, "Teen Challenge New Lifehouse".
As Highland Girls Academy
Nothing on record is dated to these years yet.
As Kansas City Girls Academy
Lawsuits
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Doe, K.H. and Doe, M.H. v. Kansas City Girls Academy, et al.
Outcome: Court allowed plaintiffs to proceed under pseudonyms Jun 3, 2026.
Two former residents sued Kansas City Girls Academy and unidentified entities. Their December 2025 complaint alleges that, as minors at the faith-based program, they were abused, exploited, and compelled to perform unpaid labor. The complaint seeks damages and alleges federal trafficking violations and state-law claims. These are allegations, not findings.
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Haley v. Kansas City Girls Academy, et al.
Outcome: Filed July 2026.
A former resident who attended from 2019 to 2021 alleges she was strip-searched several times and denied bathroom access despite a medical need.
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Brandmeyer v. Kansas City Girls Academy, et al.
Outcome: Filed July 2026.
A former resident who attended from 2019 to 2021 alleges she was sexually assaulted by another student and strip-searched by staff. She also alleges staff cut off family contact, misled parents, and kept her enrolled longer for financial reasons.
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Clapper v. Teen Challenge d/b/a Kansas City Girls Academy, et al.
Outcome: Filed July 2026.
A former resident who attended in 2022 alleges she was strip-searched with male staff present, monitored on camera while sleeping, and denied basic medical care, including during a serious illness. The complaint also describes isolation and shunning used as discipline.
News coverage
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Federal Lawsuit Alleges Forced Labor and Abuse at Missouri Faith-Based Girls School
Two former residents filed a federal lawsuit against Kansas City Girls Academy, alleging they were subjected to forced labor, physical restraint, isolation, and medical neglect while minors at the faith-based facility. The complaint asserts violations of federal anti-trafficking and child-protection laws, claiming the facility used its religious framework to control residents and economically benefit from unpaid labor.
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Former students sue Kansas City Girls Academy for alleged mistreatment
Former students of the Kansas City Girls Academy have filed a lawsuit alleging mistreatment. The lawsuit claims that the facility's actions and policies led to harm. The specifics of the allegations are not available due to access restrictions.
Incidents on record
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Sexual abuse
A survivor reports a resident sexually assaulted other residents and that others were told not to tell their parents.source
News coverage
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An Oklahoma boarding school promised help for troubled girls. Students say they got punishment instead.
Ashlynd Baecht's investigation of New Lifehouse Academy, an unlicensed Christian program for girls in rural Oklahoma: restraint, food restriction and unpaid labor, by former students' accounts.
Former students of New Lifehouse Academy, a faith‑based boarding program in rural Oklahoma, allege that the facility employed physical restraint, food restriction, forced labor, and inappropriate sexual advances rather than providing therapeutic care. The program is not licensed to deliver mental‑health treatment and is the subject of pending federal lawsuits alleging violent restraint and forced labor.
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The trouble with “troubled teen” programs- new court case underlines the issue
A Missouri faith‑based residential program is the subject of a newly filed federal lawsuit alleging involuntary servitude, physical restraint, deprivation of food and hygiene, and other abusive practices. Plaintiffs describe forced labor and spiritual manipulation used to enforce compliance, and the case highlights ongoing concerns about the operation of such programs.
Staff
Notable staff
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Alan Biggers
Elsewhere in the industry
- North Highland Church Assistant Youth Pastor, 2002
- Trinity Church Youth Pastor, 2008
- Life Church Executive Director of Programming, 2015
- Global Teen Challenge, Inc. Director of Advocacy, 2016
- Teen Challenge advocacy director Global
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Deneé Biggers
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Jeff Pirtle
Former Staffsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- New Hope Boys Home Therapist and Administrator
Connections on the network map
The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.
Names
- Highland Girls Academy
Wiki entries
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