Hidden Lake Academy

Last updated
Hidden Lake Academy
Address
Hidden Lake Academy
830 Hidden Lake Rd.

Dahlonega
,
Lumpkin County
,
Georgia
30533
Information
Other nameRidge Creek School
Established1994
Closed2011
Age range13 to 18
Capacity150 [1]
Campus size215 acres
Tuition$6000 per month [2]

Hidden Lake Academy was a therapeutic boarding school in Dahlonega, Georgia, United States, in operation from 1994 until 2011. In 2006, it was the subject of legal action over accreditation. The school filed bankruptcy in 2009 and shut down in 2011. [3] [4]

Contents

History

The school was founded in 1994 by Dr. Leonard Buccelatto in Dahlonega, Georgia. [5] It was intended to "fill the need for a specialty school to fill the gap between services of residential treatment centers and traditional boarding schools." [6]

A federal class action lawsuit against the school by a group of parents was filed in 2006. Although denied class action status, the parties settled out of court for $400,000. [5] The lawsuit caused a drop in student enrollments and cost the school $1.5 million in legal fees. [5] This, combined with the impact of a poor economy, led the school to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 in 2009. [5]

After the bankruptcy hearing, the school was renamed "Ridge Creek School". [7] In 2011, a disturbance occurred in which multiple students tried to leave the school. This resulted in the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office being called out to the scene. [8] The school closed in 2011. [3]

About the program

New students had typically struggled with homework, depression, anger management, or various addictions. Some students were from outside the United States. The student population ranged from 15 to 200. Hidden Lake Academy was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), and the Georgia Accreditation Commission (GAC). [9]

The length of the program was eighteen to twenty-one months. [10] [11] Each group consisted of fourteen students and the daily group counselling sessions were seven hours long. [12]

Ridge Creek

The Ridge Creek wilderness program was founded in 2001 [13] and was listed on National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) website as early as 2003. [14] The address listed on the NATSAP and Ridge Creek websites is the same as that of Hidden Lake Academy. [15] The website states that Leonard Buccelatoo was the founder of Ridge Creek. [16]

Former headmasters

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dahlonega, Georgia</span> City in Georgia, United States

Dahlonega is the county seat of Lumpkin County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,242, and in 2018 the population was estimated to be 6,884.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blairsville, Georgia</span> City in Georgia, United States

Blairsville is a city and the county seat of Union County, on the northern border of Georgia, United States. It was founded near the Nottely River, which was dammed in 1942 as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority project, forming Lake Nottely. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 616.

The World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools was an organization based in Utah, in the United States. WWASPS was founded by Robert Lichfield and was incorporated in 1998. WWASPS stated that it was an umbrella organization of independent institutions for education and treatment of troubled teenagers. Many outside observers believe, however, that the WWASPS-affiliated institutions were actually owned through limited partnerships, many of which have used the same street address by WWASPS or its principal officials or their close relatives. WWASPS is connected to several affiliated for-profit companies. These include Teen Help LLC, the marketing arm of WWASPS and the entity that processes admissions paperwork; Teen Escort Service, a teen escort company that transports teenagers to WWASPS facilities; R&B Billing, which does tuition billing and payment processing; and Premier Educational Systems, LLC, which conducts orientation and training workshops for parents whose children are in WWASPS facilities. WWASPS claims to have "helped" over 10,000 students with issues related to personal behavior. Some participants and parents give positive reports of their experiences, but others say that WWASPS programs were abusive. WWASPS has faced widespread allegations of physical and psychological abuse of the teenagers sent into its programs, resulting in a lawsuit filed against the organization in 2006. WWASPS officials report that the organization is no longer in business, and the facilities originally under it no longer associate with the name, but because of ongoing litigation, it has not been dissolved.

Mission Mountain School was a therapeutic boarding school for girls located in Condon, Missoula County, Montana. It operated from October 1, 1990, to August 16, 2008. On that date, the school graduated its last class and ceased operation, announcing that its founders would be on sabbatical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Leaf Academy</span> Private therapeutic boarding school in the United States

New Leaf Academy is a private therapeutic boarding school in Bend, Oregon, enrolling girls ages 10 to 15. The school is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. It is a member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).

The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) is a United States trade organization of therapeutic schools, residential treatment programs, wilderness programs, outdoor therapeutic programs, young adult programs, and home-based residential programs for adolescents and young adults with emotional and behavioral difficulties. It was formed in January 1999 by the founders of six programs within the "troubled teen industry," and its board of directors consists of program owners and educational consultants. As of 2021, all but one of those founding six programs have been shut down in the ensuing years for a variety of reasons, including child abuse, neglect, licensing violations, and successful class action lawsuits.

Great Lakes Adventist Academy (GLAA) is a co-educational Seventh-day Adventist secondary boarding school located in Cedar Lake, Michigan, United States. It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second-largest Christian school system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CEDU</span> American private boarding school company

CEDU Educational Services, Inc., known simply as CEDU, was a company founded in 1967 by Mel Wasserman and associated with the troubled teen industry. The company owned and operated several therapeutic boarding schools licensed as group homes, wilderness therapy programs, and behavior modification programs in California and Idaho. The company's schools have faced numerous allegations of abuse. CEDU went out of business in 2005, amid lawsuits and state regulatory crackdowns.

A therapeutic boarding school is a residential school offering therapy for students with emotional or behavioral issues. The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs listed 140 schools and programs as of 2005. Many therapeutic boarding schools in the United States have been connected to the abusive troubled teen industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Bachelor Academy</span> Private therapeutic boarding school in Prineville, Crook County, Oregon, United States

Mount Bachelor Academy was an Oregon private co-educational therapeutic boarding school providing help to families of adolescents experiencing emotional and behavioral disorders including, minor Depressive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Substance abuse, and ADHD as well as help for teenagers and families struggling with adoption issues. The typical student was between 14 and 18 years of age. The average length of stay was 14 to 16 months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond Ranch Academy</span> Therapeutic boarding school in Utah, US

Diamond Ranch Academy was a therapeutic boarding school just outside the town of Hurricane, Utah, United States. It admitted adolescents, 12–18, with various issues, including anger management issues and major depressive disorder. Diamond Ranch Academy was founded in Idaho Falls in 1999 by Rob Dias and later moved to southern Utah, where it occupied a 200-acre (81 ha) ranch. It closed in August 2023 after a decision by Utah officials not to renew the school's license.

Chrysalis is a private, small therapeutic boarding school for girls between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. It is located in Eureka, Montana. Chrysalis was created in 1998 and now is a full member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).

Greenbrier Academy for Girls (GBA) is a therapeutic, college preparatory boarding school in Pence Springs, West Virginia for grades 8-12. Surrounded by a 140-acre (57 ha) campus, the Academy’s main building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. GBA is located in rural southeastern West Virginia. The Academy has been linked to multiple cases of child neglect, as well as the troubled teen industry. Greenbrier Academy announced plans to close on March 13, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of North Georgia</span> Public university in Georgia, United States

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is a public senior military college with multiple campuses in Georgia, United States. It is part of the University System of Georgia. The university was established on January 8, 2013, through a merger of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College. Campus locations include Dahlonega, Oakwood, Watkinsville, Blue Ridge, and Cumming.

Cherokee Creek Boys School is an American therapeutic boarding school for boys located at 198 Cooper Road, Westminster, South Carolina, United States. Cherokee Creek has been fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) since 2005, and is licensed by the state of South Carolina. The school is also a member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).

Logan River Academy is a private boarding school serving students in grades 7-12 located in Logan, Utah, United States.

Shepherd's Hill Academy (SHA) is an accredited and licensed Christian therapeutic boarding school located in Martin, Georgia, United States, that provides year-round residential care and a private school for grades 7 through 12.

The Dahlonega Nugget is a local newspaper in Dahlonega, Georgia. It is published once a week on Wednesdays, with a circulation of about 5,000 copies. The newspaper is currently owned by Community Newspapers, Inc., which also owns papers in Florida and North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zac Brown</span> American singer

Zachry Alexander Brown is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as the co-founder and lead singer of the country Zac Brown Band, as well as electronic dance music group Sir Rosevelt. In 2019, Brown released a pop surprise album titled The Controversy.

Cascade School was a therapeutic boarding school located in Shasta County, California.

References

  1. ↑ Peterson's Private secondary schools 2006. Inc Peterson's Guides (26th ed.). Princeton, N.J.: Thomson/Peterson's. 2005. p. 1344. ISBN   0-7689-1736-0. OCLC   58788837.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. ↑ Pengelly, Martin (4 May 2023). "Clarence Thomas: mega-donor paid for great-nephew's private school". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  3. 1 2 Aiken, Matt (July 29, 2019). "Filmmaker is focusing on Hidden Lake Academy". The Dahlonega Nugget, Dahlonega, GA. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  4. ↑ Johnston, Abby (June 7, 2013). "To be or not to be Danny Malone?". AustinChronicle.com. Retrieved December 10, 2019. The facility has since closed, never quite recovering from a $400,000 lawsuit over accreditation.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Hall, Sharon (June 4, 2009). "Hidden Lake officials see Chapter 11 as chance to regroup". The Dahlonega Nugget . ISSN   2994-4627. OCLC   18486914. Archived from the original on June 8, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Hidden Lake Academy website". Hiddenlakeacademy.com. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  7. ↑ Faculty & Staff of Hidden Lake Academy (2010). "Explanation of the petition". Hidden Lake Academy. Archived from the original on June 29, 2010.
  8. ↑ Aitken, Matt (26 January 2011). "Deputies respond to disturbance at Ridge Creek". The Dahlonega Nugget . pp. 9A. ISSN   2994-4627. OCLC   18486914.
  9. ↑ "SACS CASI Accredited Schools in Georgia". Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Hidden Lake Academy". 2005-12-31. Archived from the original on 2005-12-31. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  11. ↑ "Program Details - Hidden Lake Academy". 2007-10-12. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  12. ↑ "NATSAP 2009 Directory" (PDF). National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. p. 78. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  13. ↑ "Program Details - Ridge Creek School". 2010-11-25. Archived from the original on 2010-11-25. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  14. ↑ "Program Details". 2003-03-25. Archived from the original on 2003-03-25. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  15. ↑ "Therapeutic Boarding School - Healthy Living For Teens - RidgeCreekSchool.com". 2010-05-16. Archived from the original on 2010-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  16. ↑ "New Page 1". 2006-05-02. Archived from the original on 2006-05-02. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  17. ↑ "Hidden Lake Academy - Faculty/Staff". 2007-08-29. Archived from the original on 2007-08-29. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  18. ↑ "Hidden Lake Academy - Faculty/Staff". 2005-11-24. Archived from the original on 2005-11-24. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  19. ↑ Peterson's private secondary schools, 1998-99 (19th ed.). Princeton, New Jersey: Peterson's. 1998. p. 1274. ISBN   9781560799726. OCLC   5164250814.
  20. ↑ Feuer, Alan; Salkun, Allen (July 24, 2009) "Terrible End for an Enfant Terrible, New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2023
  21. ↑ O'Hagan, Sean; O’Hagan, Sean (2009-09-19). "The last days of Dash Snow". The Observer . Guardian Media Group. ISSN   0029-7712. OCLC   50230244 . Retrieved 2023-05-06. Snow's rebellion against his family, and his mother in particular, seems to have begun in earnest when, as a disruptive child, he was sent by her to a boarding school called Hidden Lake Academy in Georgia which specialised in the treatment of children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

34°37′42″N84°04′16″W / 34.62833°N 84.07111°W / 34.62833; -84.07111

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.