Facility profile Idaho

Northwest Academy

Closed Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Northwest Academy was a therapeutic boarding school in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, operated by Universal Health Services (UHS). It operated from 1994 to 2019.

About Northwest Academy

Its parent company was Universal Health Services.source It moved back to 139 Success Ln, Naples, ID.source

Eight graduates from the Personal Growth program.source Six students graduated in December; class GPA rose from 2.3 to 3.1; accepted to 24 colleges and universities; received over $100,000 in scholarship dollars.source Stays lasted originally 30 months, 12 months from 2002.source CEDU Summit Workshop based on Lifespring.source

It was named as a defendant with CEDU Educational Services, Inc. in a 1998 Idaho lawsuit; part of the CEDU family.source Former CEDU program following the CEDU model.source It was a sister school is Boulder Creek Academy in Bonners Ferry.source

It was licensed as a Children's Residential Care Facility in Idaho.source It was a designated US Dept of State sponsor organization, authorized to issue SEVIS I-20 visas for international students.source It joined NATSAP in 2006.source It was a member of NATSAP since 2006.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

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.

19941996199719982000200220032005201919942019

  1. 1994

    1. Opened

      Opened in Bonners Ferry, Idaho

  2. 1996

    1. Incident

      Lawsuit

      In 1996 a former student sued Ascent Wilderness and Northwest Academy claiming abuse in 1994-1995, including deprivation of medication and being forced to sit outside in January.

      Lawsuit

      source

    2. SettlementJune 27, 1996

      CEDU: Sued over a student's treatment at Ascent and Northwest Academy

      CEDU: Sued over a student's treatment at Ascent and Northwest Academy June 27, 1996

      A former student's family sued CEDU on June 27, 1996, in Monterey County Superior Court, alleging negligence, false imprisonment and fraud over his time at Ascent and Northwest Academy in Boundary County, Idaho, from December 1994 to May 1995. The suit said CEDU president Mel Wasserman misled the parents. CEDU did not comment.

      source

  3. 1997

    1. IncidentJanuary 1997

      Injury

      In January 1997 about 20 students rioted, beating workers with fire extinguishers and damaging a car and buildings; five people were hospitalized.

      Injury January 1997

      source

  4. 1998

    1. OwnershipJuly 31, 1998

      The Brown Schools: Bought a controlling interest in CEDU

      The Brown Schools: Bought a controlling interest in CEDU July 31, 1998

      On July 31, 1998, The Brown Schools of Austin, Texas, and the CEDU Family of Services of Monterey, California, made a final agreement to combine; Woodbury Reports headlined it as Brown buying a controlling interest. CEDU then had six schools in North Idaho and Southern California. The Spokesman-Review later reported, citing the Austin American-Statesman, that Brown paid about $72 million.

      source 1, source 2

    2. IncidentMarch 1998

      Lawsuit

      A companion 1998 lawsuit against the same CEDU entities alleged negligent hiring and emotional and physical abuse of students by staff members, including an...

      Lawsuit March 1998

      A companion 1998 lawsuit against the same CEDU entities alleged negligent hiring and emotional and physical abuse of students by staff members, including an injury during a counseling session; the Idaho Supreme Court sent those claims to arbitration on Dec. 28, 2000 (allegations).

      source

  5. 2000

    1. Incident

      Lawsuit

      Northwest Academy was mentioned in the 2000 Accomazzo v.

      Lawsuit

      Northwest Academy was mentioned in the 2000 Accomazzo v. CEDU Educational Services Inc lawsuit.

      source

  6. 2002

    1. Settlement

      CEDU: Paid $300,000 to settle claims over Northwest Academy

      CEDU: Paid $300,000 to settle claims over Northwest Academy

      CEDU paid a $300,000 settlement in 2002 to the families of two former students who alleged that Northwest Academy staff were poorly trained and abusive.

      source

  7. 2003

    1. Incident

      Abuse

      A survivor told HEAL that Northwest Academy therapy consisted of groups of 25 yelling at students until they cried, with labor and talking bans as punishment.

      Abuse

      source

  8. 2005

    1. ClosedMarch 25, 2005

      The Brown Schools: Filed Chapter 7 and closed its 11 schools

      The Brown Schools: Filed Chapter 7 and closed its 11 schools March 25, 2005

      Brown Schools Inc. filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in Delaware bankruptcy court on a Friday in late March 2005, closing its 11 boarding schools and educational facilities in Texas, Idaho, California, Florida and Vermont. About 300 students in CEDU's seven schools were sent home and about 300 people in North Idaho lost their jobs. The filing listed debts of $10 million to $50 million, including a $1.5 million arbitration settlement among the largest creditors.

      source 1, source 2, source 3

  9. 2019

    1. Incident

      Criminal charge

      In 2019 Marcel Chappuis and his wife were arrested and charged with 43 counts of allowing child abuse or neglect in connection with Northwest Academy.

      Criminal charge

      source

    2. Lawsuit

      State of Nevada v. Patricia Chappuis, et al.

      State of Nevada v. Patricia Chappuis, et al.

      In August 2019 the Nye County District Attorney filed a criminal complaint charging Patricia Lynn Chappuis and Marcel Claude Chappuis with 45 counts of felony child abuse or neglect over their running of Northwest Academy, 1492 South Highway 373 in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. Each count concerns a different enrolled child, aged roughly 11 to 17.

      Outcome: Resolved by plea agreement. On July 19, 2021 in Beatty Justice Court, Marcel Chappuis pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of disturbing the peace and paid a $2,000 fine; Patricia Chappuis waived her preliminary hearing and agreed to plead guilty to one gross misdemeanor count in district...

      Court
      Justice Court of Beatty Township, Nye County, Nevada
      Case number
      19CR00069B
      Status
      Closed

      All lawsuits on record

    3. Closed

      Closed

Lawsuits

  • State of Nevada v. Patricia Chappuis, et al. 2019 | Closed | Justice Court of Beatty Township, Nye County, Nevada | 19CR00069B

    Outcome: Resolved by plea agreement. On July 19, 2021 in Beatty Justice Court, Marcel Chappuis pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of disturbing the peace and paid a $2,000 fine; Patricia Chappuis waived her preliminary hearing and agreed to plead guilty to one gross misdemeanor count in district court in Tonopah, with a $2,000 fine. Prosecutors agreed not to seek jail time or probation, and the 45 felony counts against each were dropped. News coverage found does not report Patricia Chappuis's later court date.

    In August 2019 the Nye County District Attorney filed a criminal complaint charging Patricia Lynn Chappuis and Marcel Claude Chappuis with 45 counts of felony child abuse or neglect over their running of Northwest Academy, 1492 South Highway 373 in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. Each count concerns a different enrolled child, aged roughly 11 to 17. Prosecutors alleged that between February 9, 2018 and February 12, 2019 the defendants failed to give the children enough potable water, let them drink unsafe tap water, and failed to screen and supervise staff to protect the children from physical and verbal abuse. The complaint was filed in the Beatty Township Justice Court on August 6, 2019, with an arraignment set for August 19, 2019. In July 2021 the case ended in a plea agreement: Marcel Chappuis pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of disturbing the peace, Patricia Chappuis agreed to plead guilty to one gross misdemeanor, each was fined $2,000, and no jail time or probation was sought. Both maintained their innocence through their attorney.

Every case in the lawsuit directory

Incidents on record

  1. 1996 Lawsuit

    In 1996 a former student sued Ascent Wilderness and Northwest Academy claiming abuse in 1994-1995, including deprivation of medication and being forced to sit outside in January.source

  2. January 1997 Injury

    In January 1997 about 20 students rioted, beating workers with fire extinguishers and damaging a car and buildings; five people were hospitalized.source

  3. March 1998 Lawsuit

    A companion 1998 lawsuit against the same CEDU entities alleged negligent hiring and emotional and physical abuse of students by staff members, including an injury during a counseling session; the Idaho Supreme Court sent those claims to arbitration on Dec. 28, 2000 (allegations).source

  4. 2000 Lawsuit

    Northwest Academy was mentioned in the 2000 Accomazzo v. CEDU Educational Services Inc lawsuit.source

  5. 2003 Abuse

    A survivor told HEAL that Northwest Academy therapy consisted of groups of 25 yelling at students until they cried, with labor and talking bans as punishment.source

  6. 2019 Criminal charge

    In 2019 Marcel Chappuis and his wife were arrested and charged with 43 counts of allowing child abuse or neglect in connection with Northwest Academy.source

  7. Injury

    A parent alleged that after a riot at Northwest Academy an employee promised the student would be kept safe, and the student was then allegedly struck in the head with a weapon by another student (allegation in court record).source

  8. Sexual abuse

    A survivor reports that staff member Mick Taylor had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 17-year-old resident; this has not been independently verified.source

News coverage

  • BioSpace News Oct 19, 2005 Corporate

    Universal Health Services, Inc. Announces Acquisition Of KEYS Group Holdings, LLC And Five Additional Behavioral Health Facilities As Well As Board Authorization For Additional Securities Repurchase

    Universal Health Services, Inc. announced the acquisition of KEYS Group Holdings, LLC, adding 46 behavioral health facilities, residential treatment centers, therapeutic day schools, and detention facilities to its portfolio. Additionally, the company acquired four therapeutic boarding schools and an outdoor intervention program originating from the Brown Schools of Austin bankruptcy.

  • RuralNorthwest.com Apr 3, 2005 Closure

    Parent Perspective on Nationwide CEDU Program Closures

    The corporate ownership of CEDU abruptly closed its campuses nationwide, including Boulder Creek Academy and Northwest Academy in Idaho, due to financial viability issues. Parents and staff received notification of the sudden closures during an on-site workshop, causing severe disruption and distress for families and students enrolled in the programs.

  • 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.

  • Woodbury Reports Aug 1, 2000 Corporate

    Seen 'n Heard, 8/2000

    This industry news compilation from August 2000 reports on administrative updates, leadership appointments, and accreditation statuses across various programs within the troubled teen industry. Notable mentions include JCAHO accreditation for the Catherine Freer family of programs, executive staff changes at Mount Bachelor Academy and CEDU Family of Services, and financial growth projections for Aspen Youth Services.

  • The Spokesman-Review Jul 11, 1996 Lawsuit

    California Family Files Lawsuit Against North Idaho Behavioral Programs Alleging Abuse

    A California teenager and his family filed a lawsuit against the CEDU Family of Services and two North Idaho programs, alleging physical and emotional abuse during his enrollment from 1994 to 1995. The complaint outlines allegations of medical neglect, unsanitary living conditions, forced physical exertion, and humiliating punishments administered by program staff.

  • PracticeLink Corporate

    Boulder Creek Academy, Northwest Academy and Ascent Program Profile at PracticeLink

    An organizational profile and recruitment listing details Boulder Creek Academy, Northwest Academy, and the Ascent Program as residential and wilderness programs operating in Idaho under parent company Universal Health Services, Inc. The text describes the regional setting and multidisciplinary staffing structures intended for adolescents aged 13 to 18.

Videos

BREAKING CODE SILENCE: Ascent and Northwest Academy (CEDU) (2020-10-06) Watch on YouTube

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.

Acquisitions

  • Universal Health Services Acquired this program (acquired)

Ownership

  • CEDU Family of Services

Documents

Documents on file (68)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (22)
Merged from: Boulder Creek Academy (32)
Merged from: Rocky Mountain Academy (8)

From the Unsilenced archive

11 documents about Northwest Academy that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Northwest Academy.

From SCIAD NET

2 documents about Northwest Academy that Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. SCIAD NET keeps them on Google Drive, where they open.

Wiki entries

Materials and links

Materials the project holds for this facility. Ask through the correction form to see any of them.

Other documentation

  • NATSAP profile

External links

Survivor posts and discussion

Advertising and marketing listings

Reference and research

From SCIAD NET.

Archived pages

From SCIAD NET.

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction