Facility profile Virginia
Maple Hall Academy
Formerly Whetstone Academy
Maple Hall Academy was a therapeutic boarding school in Lexington, Virginia. It operated from 2021 to 2024.
About Maple Hall Academy
Closely affiliated with Whetstone Academy (SC), also founded by John Singleton.source It was founded by John Singleton.source
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.
2021
Renamed Maple Hall Academy
It had been Whetstone Academy.
Opened in Lexington, Virginia
2024
Closed
2025
J.P. et al. v. Singleton Investment Properties LLC, Whetstone Academy LLC, Dr. John Lee Singleton Jr. (D.S.C. 8:25-cv-00318), complaint
J.P. et al. v. Singleton Investment Properties LLC, Whetstone Academy LLC, Dr. John Lee Singleton Jr. (D.S.C. 8:25-cv-00318), complaint
Plaintiffs filed a civil complaint against the operators and owners of a therapeutic boarding school alleging negligence, gross negligence, and premises liability. The minor plaintiff, a resident at the facility, experienced abuse, neglect, and exploitation while under the supervision of defendants' staff between September 2024 and November 2024.
Outcome: A Confidentiality/Protective Order was entered, indicating the parties stipulated certain discovery material as confidential. On October 23, 2026, the court entered an order on a motion for extension of time.
- Court
- United States District Court District of South Carolina Anderson Division
- Case number
- 8:25-cv-00318-BHH
- Status
- In progress
As Whetstone Academy
The record kept under this name
Incidents on record
-
Incident
HEAL classifies Whetstone Academy as a Suspected Abusive program; survivors report punitive punishments, emotional abuse and attack therapy.source
News coverage
-
Lawsuit: Upstate boarding school failed to protect resident from sexual assault
A federal lawsuit alleges that Whetstone Academy in Oconee County, SC, failed to protect a 14-year-old resident from sexual assault by another student in 2024. The boy’s family claims he was subjected to prolonged outdoor confinement, inadequate supervision, and regressive trauma symptoms. The facility denies responsibility.
Staff
Administration
-
Sharon Stricker
Head of School (2011, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Cherokee Creek Boys School Clinical Director, Program Director, 2006-2020
-
Bryan Tomes
Cofounder, business director
Elsewhere in the industry
- New Leaf Academy of North Carolina Academic Director, 2006
- Glen Willow Academy Academic Director, Head of School, 2011-2025
- New Leaf Academy NC Academic Director, before 2011
- Asheville Academy for Girls Executive Director, 2012-2025
- Equinox RTC Director of Business Development and Founding Partner, Founder, 2016-2025
- Magnolia Mill School Academic Director and Operations Director, Founder, before 2016
- Lake House Academy Academic Director, 2010-2021
Notable staff
-
Jeremy Nunnelley
Clinical Director (2012)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Cherokee Creek Boys School Primary Counselor, 2003
- Pacific Quest Therapist, 2015
- Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness Therapist, 2017
- Trails Carolina Staff, before 2012
-
John L. Singleton
Owner and CEOsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Aspen Education Group Staff
- Brandon Hall School President/Head of School
- Trails Carolina Director of Business Development
- Pathway Family Center Board Member
- Maple Hall Academy Owner/CEO, Founder, CEO and Owner
- Stone Mountain School Program Director, Academic Director
- New Leaf Academy of North Carolina Staff, before 2009
- Cedars Academy Executive Director, 2007-2009
- NATSAP board of directors
-
Shawn Ziluck
Co-Founder and former Program Coordinatorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Cherokee Creek Boys School Counseling Department Manager (2010)
-
Justin Cantalini
Clinical Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- SUWS of the Carolinas Former Field Instructor
-
James Holcomb
Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Cherokee Creek Boys School Teacher, 2008-2020
-
Todd W. Singer
Advisory Board Chair (2013)source
-
Chass Armstrong
Director of Business Developmentsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Family Help & Wellness Digital Marketing Manager, 2015
- Maple Hall Academy Director of Business Development
-
Matt Kiefer
Therapistsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Capstone Treatment Center Night Staff
- Mount Pleasant Academy Program director
-
Sally Clay
CFOsource
Elsewhere in the industry
As Maple Hall Academy
Lawsuits
-
J.P. et al. v. Singleton Investment Properties LLC, Whetstone Academy LLC, Dr. John Lee Singleton Jr. (D.S.C. 8:25-cv-00318), complaint
Outcome: A Confidentiality/Protective Order was entered, indicating the parties stipulated certain discovery material as confidential. On October 23, 2026, the court entered an order on a motion for extension of time.
Plaintiffs filed a civil complaint against the operators and owners of a therapeutic boarding school alleging negligence, gross negligence, and premises liability. The minor plaintiff, a resident at the facility, experienced abuse, neglect, and exploitation while under the supervision of defendants' staff between September 2024 and November 2024. The complaint alleges that defendants failed to exercise reasonable care in the hiring, training, and supervision of employees, despite prior knowledge of mistreatment and safety risks at the facility.
Staff
Notable staff
-
John Singleton
Former Founder, CEO, and Ownersource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Aspen Education Group Staff
- Brandon Hall School President/Head of School
- Trails Carolina Director of Business Development
- Whetstone Academy Owner/CEO, Owner and CEO
- Pathway Family Center Board Member
- Stone Mountain School Program Director, Academic Director
- New Leaf Academy of North Carolina Staff, before 2009
- Cedars Academy Executive Director, 2007-2009
- NATSAP board of directors
-
Rick Pollard
Former Executive Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- New Leaf Academy of North Carolina Operations Director, 2005
- Aspen Education Group Regional Director of Admissions, 2010
- Magnolia Mill School Executive Director, 2015-2021
-
Pascale Couturier
Former Admissions Directorsource
-
Joe D'Urso
Former Program Directorsource
-
Tabitha Sayler Pack
Former Clinical Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Asheville Academy for Girls Therapist and Transition and Alumni Coordinator, 2016
- Lake House Academy Residential Coach/Counseling Intern, 2014
- an unnamed residential facility in Pennsylvania with both adults and children
-
Chass Armstrong
Former Director of Business Developmentsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Family Help & Wellness Digital Marketing Manager, 2015
- Whetstone Academy Director of Business Development
-
Josh Prince
Former Therapist (2021, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- New Vision Wilderness Therapy Logistics Coordinator, 2019
- SUWS of the Carolinas Field Instructor
-
Sally Clay
Former CFOsource
Elsewhere in the industry
-
Tonia Vinecombe
Former Therapist and Transitions Directorsource
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Names
Wiki entries
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