Facility profile Michigan
Starr Commonwealth
Also known as Albion Academy, Starr Albion Prep
Starr Commonwealth was a program in Albion, Michigan, operated by Starr Commonwealth. It operated from 1913 to 2020.
About Starr Commonwealth
It opened founded in 1913.source
Starr Commonwealth ran residential care on its Albion campus from 1913; Sequel managed it as Starr Albion Prep from 2014 until Starr's board voted on July 1, 2020 to cut ties with Sequel and end residential programs there.source 1, source 2
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.
1913
Opened in Albion, Michigan
2014
Sequel Youth and Family Services began running it
It ran the program until 2020.
2017
Sequel TSI: Sold a majority stake to Altamont Capital Partners
Sequel Youth and Family Services ran Starr Commonwealth at the time.
Sequel TSI: Sold a majority stake to Altamont Capital Partners September 1, 2017
Altamont Capital Partners announced a majority equity investment in Sequel through a holding company, SYFS Parent; terms were not disclosed. At the time Sequel ran 44 programs in 19 states, and APM Reports counted 35 residential treatment centers in 16 states. CEO John Stupak stayed on and co-founder Jay Ripley remained board chairman. Altamont's portfolio page lists the investment as active and says SYFS Parent later acquired Rebecca & Aaron Schools (2017) and Pine Cone Therapies (2020).
2021
Provo Canyon School Closure
1 article in The Imprint.
Provo Canyon School Closure November 2, 2021
A report by the National Disability Rights Network documents widespread civil rights violations, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and inappropriate use of psychotropic medication across for-profit youth residential programs in 18 states.
Nonprofit tax filings
The yearly returns (IRS Form 990) of the nonprofit this program operates under, from the IRS through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer.
Starr Commonwealth
EIN 38-1359593, Albion, MI. Filed with the IRS as human services, tax-exempt since 1953. Every filing on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Paid to officers and directors | Assets at year end | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2024 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2023 | $9,169,427 | $10,190,565 | $994,648 | $81,264,717 | Form 990 |
| 2022 | $14,829,723 | $11,278,475 | $912,198 | $80,471,792 | Form 990 |
| 2021 | $18,694,833 | $10,952,741 | $912,513 | $88,362,741 | Form 990 |
| 2020 | $19,215,628 | $20,932,671 | $935,647 | $74,132,233 | Form 990 |
| 2019 | $23,323,894 | $21,820,177 | $948,416 | $80,129,491 | Form 990 |
| 2018 | $23,145,926 | $19,522,864 | $1,137,911 | $81,015,153 | Form 990 |
| 2017 | $18,669,018 | $18,116,993 | $885,175 | $78,288,564 | Form 990 |
| 2016 | $20,107,183 | $26,353,785 | $781,284 | $75,460,607 | Form 990 |
Earlier years (15)
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Paid to officers and directors | Assets at year end | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $21,078,545 | $25,842,697 | $1,039,102 | $81,103,981 | Form 990 |
| 2014 | $33,670,476 | $30,115,321 | $901,205 | $98,436,790 | Form 990 |
| 2013 | $29,355,180 | $35,886,863 | $1,445,165 | $94,050,903 | Form 990 |
| 2012 | $30,768,993 | $36,328,180 | $1,123,906 | $97,501,304 | Form 990 |
| 2011 | $27,581,465 | $30,349,632 | $881,588 | $90,242,973 | Form 990 |
| 2010 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2009 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2008 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2007 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2006 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2005 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2004 | Form 990R | ||||
| 2003 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2002 | Form 990 | ||||
| 2001 | Form 990 |
News coverage
-
Warning signs missed before teen's fatal restraint
The article reports that a teen named Cornelius Frederick died after being restrained in a facility. The report indicates that warning signs were missed and that the restraint may have contributed to the fatal outcome. The case highlights concerns about safety protocols in residential treatment settings.
-
Federal Watchdogs Find Abuse at For-Profit Youth Residential Programs in 18 States
A report by the National Disability Rights Network documents widespread civil rights violations, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and inappropriate use of psychotropic medication across for-profit youth residential programs in 18 states. The findings highlight systemic issues driven by profit-seeking models, prompting calls for increased federal oversight and accountability.
-
Lawyers raise concerns over amount of time migrant children spend at Albion intake shelter
Attorneys have raised concerns regarding the duration of stay and access to adequate language interpreters for unaccompanied migrant children at the Albion emergency intake shelter in Michigan. Legal representatives noted that extended stays in government-run facilities increase the risk of psychological distress, though recent data indicated a decrease in average lengths of stay.
-
"It's still not right." An investigation into Lakeside Academy.
An investigative report details systemic failures at Lakeside Academy, a residential facility for troubled teens, including repeated use of physical restraints, inadequate oversight, and the death of a resident. The investigation highlights the state's failure to prevent harm and the subsequent closure of the facility. Survivors and former staff describe ongoing concerns about the safety and well‑being of youth placed in such settings.
-
Starr Commonwealth cuts ties with contractor, ends residential programs
Starr Commonwealth announced the termination of its residential programs and its partnership with Sequel Youth and Family Services following state directives and investigations into safety violations and improper restraints. The decision impacts 135 students and 270 employees, prompting the facility to transition youth to alternative care settings and evaluate future uses for the campus.
-
Starr Commonwealth severs Sequel ties
In May 2020, a 16-year-old was restrained by staff from Sequel Youth and Family Services at Lakeside Academy and died two days later, with the death ruled a homicide. Following the incident, Starr Commonwealth terminated its contract with Sequel, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services revoked Sequel's state license.
-
Resident of Youth Facility Killed After Being Hit by Vehicle on Interstate 94
Seventeen-year-old Antonio Martinez, a resident at the Star Commonwealth youth facility, was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking along Interstate 94 in Sheridan Township, Michigan. Police reported that speed and alcohol were not factors in the collision, and an investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Staff
Administration
-
Martin L. Mitchell
president (2012)source
-
Herman J. McCall
Former Former Executive Vice President (before 2012)source
-
Larry K. Brendtro
Former Past president, pioneer of Positive Peer Culture (before 2012)source
-
Randy Copas
Executive Director
Elsewhere in the industry
- Vivant Behavioral Healthcare Regional Executive Director Oct 2021–Present Vivant Behavioral Health AZ
Notable staff
-
Kevin Wing
Former Intake Director (before 2012)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Montcalm School for Boys and Girls Director of Counseling Services, 2012
- Montcalm School Staff, 2012
-
Christopher L. Smith
VP and CFOsource
-
Elizabeth A. Carey
VP of Strategysource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Sequel Youth and Family Services President and CEO of Starr Commonwealth
-
Simon P. Bisson
VP of Developmentsource
-
William "Chuck" Jackson
VP and Chief Program Officersource
Connections on the network map
The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.
Ownership
- Sequel Youth and Family Services
Documents
Woodbury Reports Mentions (7)
-
Woodbury Reports, August 2007 (#156), P. 28: Starr Commonwealth Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, August 2012, P. 11: Starr Commonwealth Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, February 2007 (#150), P. 20: Starr Commonwealth Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, July 2012, P. 9: Starr Commonwealth Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, March 2009 (#175), Pp. 18-19: Starr Commonwealth Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, October 2012, Pp. 7-9: Starr Commonwealth Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, September 2009 (#181), P. 15: Starr Commonwealth Woodbury Reports page
From the Unsilenced archive
33 documents about Starr Commonwealth that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their folders: Starr Commonwealth, Starr Albion Prep.
Documents
- 236861.pdf
- 236862.pdf
- 236863.pdf
- 236864.pdf
- 236865.pdf
- 241303.pdf
- 244162.pdf
- 244179.pdf
- 244180.pdf
- 244181.pdf
- 244182.pdf
- 245912.pdf
- 245913.pdf
- 245914.pdf
- 245915.pdf
- 263755.pdf
- 264591.pdf
- 267222.pdf
- 270423.pdf
- 270424.pdf
- 270425.pdf
- 270426.pdf
- 270427.pdf
- 270428.pdf
- 270429.pdf
- 273198.pdf
- 275106.pdf
- 276390.pdf
- 276391.pdf
- 284321.pdf
- Additional Links for Starr Commonwealth.xlsx
- Additional Links for Starr Albion Prep.xlsx
- ShutDownSequelProgressReport_UpdatedApril2021.pdf
We have questions about Starr Commonwealth
If you were there, worked there or sent your child there, you can help fill in what our records are missing. Each question takes a moment; skip anything you do not know.
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
Staff listing or directory
- Dana Richards - Clinical Coordinator - Starr Albion Prep Academy | LinkedIn
- Lauryn Ritchie - Therapist - Starr Albion Prep | LinkedIn