Spring Ridge Academy

34.5959797°N 112.4681734°W / 34.5959797; -112.4681734 Spring Ridge Academy, is a behavioral health residential facility for female adolescents 13-17 years old. In 2023 spring ridge academy announced on their website they had permanently closed.[4]

Spring Ridge Academy
Address
13690 S Burton Rd

Mayer
,
Yavapai County
,
Arizona
86333

United States
Information
School typeFor-profit program, Behavioral Health Residential Facility
Founded1996 (1996)
FoundersJean (Jeannie) Courtney
Statusclosed
ClosedFebruary 2023
NCES District ID42
CEEB code030422
NCES School IDA0900156[1]
PrincipalJustin Zych
Teaching staff11 (on an FTE basis)[1]
GenderGirls
Age range13-17
Number of students48
 • Grade 93
 • Grade 1011
 • Grade 1116
 • Grade 1218
Student to teacher ratio4.4[1]
Hours in school day5.8
AccreditationsCognia (education)[2]
Tuition$126,000 to $162,000[3]
Websitespringridgeacademy.com ndrising.com

Background

The campus was originally a house with a barn attached and only had one student.[5] It is now capable of housing up to 76 girls with a facility that includes classrooms, medical areas, labs, and athletic fields and courts.[5] Spring Ridge Academy is currently operated by Suzanne Courtney (Executive Director).[6]

Programming

Spring Ridge Academy describes itself as a "clinical therapeutic program with a college preparatory academic curriculum".[7]

The program includes four phases that each student is expected to complete at their own pace.[7] The program's average length of stay is 14 to 18 months.[7]


Parents or guardians who have their child admitted to Spring Ridge pay tuition and fees. Medical insurance may cover part of the costs.

Extracurricular activities
  • Life skills
  • Self-defense
  • Digital photography
  • Horseback riding
  • Choral and instrumental music
  • Cooking
  • Ceramics
  • Jewelry making
  • Skiing
  • Hiking
  • Indoor rock climbing
  • Kayaking and paddleboarding
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Mountain biking

Controversy

In 2021, the parent of a former resident filed a lawsuit against Spring Ridge Academy, alleging causes of action for negligence and fraud, amongst other things.[8][3][9] The mother claims that the troubled teen program used non-evidence-based treatment practices on her daughter and misrepresented the tactics the program used before she enrolled her child there.[8][3] In a large group awareness training workshop, for example, girls at Spring Ridge Academy were allegedly instructed to beat their chairs with rolled-up towels containing their anger while other students screamed at them.[3]

Other former students have claimed that the workshops at the center of the lawsuit are "abusive" and "shame-based."[9] Former students say they had to participate in attack therapy as well.[9]

Spring Ridge Academy has also been accused of using conversion therapy.[10]

Other alumni have come forward alleging abuse as part of the Breaking Code Silence movement, describing the academy as a cult and as being exploitative of families.[11] One Spring Ridge Academy alumnus was also featured in a Lifetime movie special Beyond the Headlines: Cruel Instruction, talking about the allegations of abuse in the troubled teen industry and the PTSD and anxiety that many survivors continue to live with.[12] Spring Ridge Academy issued several in response to the lifeline movie.[13][14][15]

References
  1. "Search for Public Schools - Spring Ridge Academy (A0900156)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  2. "Cognia – Institution Summary". advanc-ed.org/. Cognia. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  3. Sweidy v. Spring Ridge Academy et al (United States District Court, Arizona January 21, 2021).Text
  4. "Spring Ridge Academy - Learn, Heal, Grow, Connect". Spring Ridge Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  5. "Spring Ridge Academy". usboardingschools.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  6. "Our Team". Spring Ridge Academy.
  7. "Enrollment Terms and Agreement" (PDF). Spring Ridge Academy. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  8. "Lawsuit Complaint Against Spring Ridge Academy For Negligence, Fraud, and RICO Violations | PDF | Evidence Based Medicine | Schools". Scribd. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
  9. Gulino, Elizabeth (June 29, 2021). ""I Was Forced To Sculpt My Rape": What Is Happening Inside The Troubled Teen Industry?". REFINERY29. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  10. Sugiuchi, Deirdre (December 17, 2020). ""Conversion Therapy" is Abuse". Dame Magazine. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  11. Jennifer. "Jennifer's Story -- Breaking Code Silence". breakingcodesilence.net. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  12. Cain, Brooke (March 12, 2022). "What to Watch Saturday: Lifetime movie has ripped-from-the-headlines story of abuse". The News&Observer. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  13. Smith, Erin (2022-03-25). "Cruel Instruction: The Problem with Comparing Programs". Spring Ridge Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  14. Smith, Erin (2022-04-02). "7 Ways Spring Ridge Is Nothing Like Cruel Instruction". Spring Ridge Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  15. Smith, Erin (2022-04-06). "7 More Ways Spring Ridge Is Nothing Like Cruel Instruction". Spring Ridge Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
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