Facility profile Idaho

Rocky Mountain Academy

Closed Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Rocky Mountain Academy was a therapeutic boarding school in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, operated by CEDU. It operated from 1982 to 2005.

About Rocky Mountain Academy

It was bought by Mel Wasserman of CEDU and renamed from Academy of the Rockies.source It was founded by Kevin Cullinane and Dan Larson, as Academy of the Rockies.source It moved to 139 Success Ln, Naples, ID (Northwest Academy's original campus).source Property bought by Universal Health Services.source

Site of a December 1990 staff training on accountability given by CEDU founder Mel Wasserman.source Its address was 378 Emerson Lane, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805.source Stays lasted 30-32 months.source It was named as a defendant with CEDU Educational Services, Inc. in a 1998 Idaho lawsuit; part of the CEDU family.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.

198219941998200020022004200519822005

  1. 1982

    1. Founded

      CEDU: Opened Rocky Mountain Academy in Idaho

      CEDU: Opened Rocky Mountain Academy in Idaho

      Rocky Mountain Academy, CEDU's first school in Boundary County, Idaho, opened in 1982. By 2004 CEDU's payroll put about $9 million a year into the local economy.

      source

    2. Opened

      Opened in Bonners Ferry, Idaho

  2. 1994

    1. DeathJuly 25, 1994

      Johnathan Avila, 16, died here

      Died by suicide

      Johnathan Avila, 16, died here July 25, 1994

      source

    2. Incident

      Death

      In 1994 a resident of Rocky Mountain Academy on a team led by Bruce Wilson committed suicide.

      Death

      source

    3. IncidentJuly 1994

      Death

      In July 1994 a 16-year-old resident died by suicide by hanging in a dormitory at RMA.

      Death July 1994

      source

  3. 1998

    1. OwnershipJuly 31, 1998

      The Brown Schools: Bought a controlling interest in CEDU

      CEDU ran Rocky Mountain Academy at the time.

      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. IncidentApril 1, 1998

      Investigation

      A April 1, 1998 Spokesman article reported a state report said allegations by former students that the schools set the stage for abuse were valid.

      Investigation April 1, 1998

      source

  4. 2000

    1. IncidentDecember 20, 2000

      Lawsuit

      Civil action Reibstein v.

      Lawsuit December 20, 2000

      Civil action Reibstein v. CEDU/Rocky Mountain Academy, dated December 20, 2000.

      source

    2. Lawsuit

      Court record - Rocky Mountain Academy

      Court record - Rocky Mountain Academy

      Plaintiffs filed a civil action against a private youth residential facility and its operating organization alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation, and negligence related to the enrollment and subsequent handling of a student. The student participated in a crisis intervention program and was later enrolled in the academy before taking a home visit during which he left home and encountered legal difficulties.

      Court
      UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
      Case number
      00-1781
      Status
      Unknown

      All lawsuits on record

    3. Lawsuit

      Reibstein v. CEDU/Rocky Mountain Academy

      Reibstein v. CEDU/Rocky Mountain Academy

      Plaintiffs filed a civil action against CEDU and Rocky Mountain Academy alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation, and negligence concerning the enrollment and care of their son. The student had been enrolled in a private therapeutic school and crisis intervention program in Idaho, later left on home visitation, and subsequently ran away and faced juvenile criminal charges in New Jersey.

      Court
      United States District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
      Case number
      NO. 00-1781
      Status
      Unknown

      All lawsuits on record

  5. 2002

    1. Incident

      Lawsuit

      In 2002 the facility paid $300,000 to settle a lawsuit by two former students alleging CEDU hired poorly trained, abusive staff, which they said led to a 1997...

      Lawsuit

      In 2002 the facility paid $300,000 to settle a lawsuit by two former students alleging CEDU hired poorly trained, abusive staff, which they said led to a 1997 student riot at Northwest Academy.

      source

  6. 2004

    1. Incident

      Abuse

      In 2004 complaints alleged a student at RMA was hazed, beaten and insulted constantly by other students because staff were not in the dormitories.

      Abuse

      source

    2. SettlementOctober 2004

      CEDU: Sued by more than two dozen parents

      CEDU: Sued by more than two dozen parents October 2004

      In October 2004 more than two dozen parents sued Rocky Mountain and Boulder Creek academies, alleging misconduct and breach of contract.

      source

  7. 2005

    1. Closed

      Closed

    2. ClosedFebruary 2005

      CEDU: Closed Rocky Mountain Academy

      CEDU: Closed Rocky Mountain Academy February 2005

      Rocky Mountain Academy closed in February 2005, a month before the parent company's bankruptcy closed CEDU's remaining schools.

      source

Deaths on record

The memorial

Lawsuits

  • Court record - Rocky Mountain Academy 2000 | Unknown | UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA | 00-1781 Names this facility

    Plaintiffs filed a civil action against a private youth residential facility and its operating organization alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation, and negligence related to the enrollment and subsequent handling of a student. The student participated in a crisis intervention program and was later enrolled in the academy before taking a home visit during which he left home and encountered legal difficulties. The facility subsequently informed the parents that the student was ineligible for re-admission, prompting the lawsuit. The court ultimately granted the defendant's motion to compel arbitration pursuant to the participant admission contract.

  • Reibstein v. CEDU/Rocky Mountain Academy 2000 | Unknown | United States District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania | NO. 00-1781 Names this facility

    Plaintiffs filed a civil action against CEDU and Rocky Mountain Academy alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation, and negligence concerning the enrollment and care of their son. The student had been enrolled in a private therapeutic school and crisis intervention program in Idaho, later left on home visitation, and subsequently ran away and faced juvenile criminal charges in New Jersey. The defendants moved to compel arbitration based on an arbitration clause contained within the participant admission contract.

Every case in the lawsuit directory

Incidents on record

  1. 1994 Death

    In 1994 a resident of Rocky Mountain Academy on a team led by Bruce Wilson committed suicide.source

  2. July 1994 Death

    In July 1994 a 16-year-old resident died by suicide by hanging in a dormitory at RMA.source

  3. April 1, 1998 Investigation

    A April 1, 1998 Spokesman article reported a state report said allegations by former students that the schools set the stage for abuse were valid.source

  4. December 20, 2000 Lawsuit

    Civil action Reibstein v. CEDU/Rocky Mountain Academy, dated December 20, 2000.source

  5. 2002 Lawsuit

    In 2002 the facility paid $300,000 to settle a lawsuit by two former students alleging CEDU hired poorly trained, abusive staff, which they said led to a 1997 student riot at Northwest Academy.source

  6. 2004 Abuse

    In 2004 complaints alleged a student at RMA was hazed, beaten and insulted constantly by other students because staff were not in the dormitories.source

News coverage

  • Argus Observer Mar 5, 2008 General

    Hayden Residents Express Concerns Over Converted Group Homes

    Residents in the Hayden, Idaho area expressed concern regarding the establishment of converted group homes operated by Innercept, citing a lack of notification and neighborhood disturbances. Local authorities reported receiving a small number of calls regarding the properties, primarily consisting of minor complaints and a threat of self-harm.

  • 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.

  • The Spokesman-Review Mar 29, 2005 Closure

    Schools' shutdown troubles community

    The article reports on community concerns following the shutdown of local schools in Washington state. The text discusses local reactions to the institutional closures without detailing specific regulatory violations or allegations.

  • 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.

Videos

Link to Lathrop's Survivor Testimony Watch on YouTube
"Fraud and Abuse at Rocky Mountain Academy" Watch on YouTube
Beyond the Headlines: Cruel Instruction: The Troubled Teen Industry (2022-03-18) Watch on YouTube
Caroline the Wolf (2009) Watch on YouTube
OverwrittenVID (2018-03-20) Watch on YouTube
1 of 5

Staff

Administration

Notable staff

Connections on the network map

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Other staff

Ownership

  • CEDU Family of Services

Documents

Documents on file (68)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (7)
Merged from: Boulder Creek Academy (32)
Merged from: Northwest Academy (28)

Research that mentions this program

The whole research library

From the Unsilenced archive

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

Documents (200)

From SCIAD NET

1 document about Rocky Mountain Academy that Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. SCIAD NET keeps it on Google Drive, where it opens.

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

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

10 of these from SCIAD NET.

Other links

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