The school was founded in 1987 by College Health Enterprises under the direction of educator Linda Houghton.[8] The school was originally to be located in Powell Butte, Oregon but eventually landed at the location of the former Mark's Creek Lodge.[9] The site was at one point intended to be converted into a resort, then a youth camp. Finally it was approved as a private school to accommodate 60 students. It was expanded a number of times until it reached its current capacity.[10] Around 1998, College Health Enterprises spun off MBA and a handful of other facilities into the company that became Aspen Education Group.[9]
Investigations and court cases
In March 1998, four ex-employees and two parents alleged that high-risk students attending Mount Bachelor Academy were deprived of sleep, subjected to obscenity-laced tirades and forced to work in near-freezing temperatures overnight.[11] The Oregon Department of Human Services cleared the program at MBA following their investigation.[12]
In December 1998, 17-year-old Brandon H. died outside the facility. The death was investigated by the Crook County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and the Crook County Coroner’s office and ruled a suicide.[13]
In December 2007, a search was conducted for a group of teenagers and staff members, which had been delayed by snow during a wilderness trip. The "very well-equipped" group of 10 campers and 3 staff with wilderness survival training and experience, including wilderness "first-responder" training reported in by cell phone and returned without incident.[14]
In June 2008, an Oregon state licensing inspector visited Mount Bachelor Academy during license renewal. The inspectors report stated the school had "a lot of outdoor activities, a seasoned staff and a program that requires parents to be involved."[15]
On March 31, 2009, the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) sends "confusing" letter to parents of students at MBA suggesting they prepare to move their children out of the school. MBA receives hundreds of letters of support from parents and alumni. State later notifies parents that "there is no imminent threat of closing MBA."
In April 2009, the school became the target of an investigation into allegations of child abuse. A Time online article appears to imply that the U.S. Supreme Court case, Forest Grove v. TA, is related to the investigation being conducted by the DHS.[12]
In June 2009, after hearing arguments in the case Forest Grove School District v. T.A., the U.S. Supreme Court hands down a decision affirming that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act covers a claim for reimbursement made against a public school system for a student diagnosed with disabilities and subsequently enrolled at MBA.[16][17]
On November 3, 2009, the Oregon Department of Human Services suspended MBA's operating license and ordered the school's temporary closure due to findings of child abuse and neglect.[18] In parallel, DHS provides the Crook County Sheriff's Office with the report of their investigation. The Crook County Sheriff's Office Operations Commander reported that DHS had not made him aware of their [7 month long] investigation - something he felt was out of the ordinary. The commander was quoted as saying "It's an unusual investigation not to include the Sheriff's Office if they're looking at criminal charges."[19]
On November 9, 2009, Aspen Education Group announced that the school would close permanently by December 9, 2009.[20]
In December 2009, MBA requested a hearing with Oregon officials to contest the schools suspended license and closure. By March 2010, MBA and Oregon DHS agree to settle on the suspension and closure.[21]
In December 2009, MBA executive director Sharon Bitz filed a legal suit contesting the charges made against her.[21]
In April 2010, Executive Director Sharon Bitz and representatives of MBA submitted claims against the state for damages resulting from the DHS actions.[21]
In July 2010, Lawyers for Aspen Education filed a suit contesting the substantiated findings of abuse and neglect.[21]
In October 2010, the state of Oregon withdrew its orders and actions against MBA in return for recognition that DHS had a "reasonable" basis to investigate the charges.[22] The school remained closed. The agreement stipulates, "The findings as regards MBA will be modified to replace the ‘substantiated’ with the following two sentences: ‘Based on the evidence available to the Department (DHS), the Department found that there is reasonable cause to believe that abuse or neglect occurred. The Department’s conclusion is based on evidence collected solely by the Department as of Nov. 2, 2009 and not on information provided or available after that date.'"[21] DHS director of children, adults and families, Erinn Kelley-Siel made the following statement:[21]
"MBA acknowledged that based on the evidence available to DHS on Nov. 2, 2009, the agency had reasonable cause to believe that abuse or neglect occurred at the school as uncovered by the investigation, In addition, MBA agrees that DHS had a reasonable basis to investigate the allegations of abuse and neglect and to seek corrective actions."
Aspen Education Group President, Phil Herschman made the following statements:[21]
"The DHS’ withdrawal of its order suspending MBA’s license supports our position that they did not have justification for that order in the first place," and, "The [Department of Health Services] has acknowledged with this settlement that in fact there was additional evidence no abuse had occurred." His statement added "Despite the tragic circumstances of Mount Bachelor [Academy’s] closure, we hope to open a new, even more successful school on the MBA campus in the future."
In July 2011, some former students of the school sued the school and the two companies that owned it, claiming intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, as well as other torts.[23] The nine plaintiffs sought approximately $14.3 million in damages.[23] In November 2011, another suit was filed by an additional 11 students, alleging humiliation, physical and sexual[clarification needed] and seeking $23 million in damages.[24]
In December 2013, three lawsuits filed by Oregon lawyer, Kelly Clark are taken over by partners of the law firm O’Donnell Clark & Crew LLP, as a result of the unexpected death of Clark. Maria Ruckwardt and Steve Crew are to handle the case going forward.[25]
In January 2015, After informing Crook County Circuit Judge Daniel J. Ahern on February 6, 2014 of "an agreement among the majority of the parties" to mediate the cases, Attorney Maria Ruckwardt, of O’Connell Clark & Crew LLP, reported "[all three] cases got resolved without court intervention." Court records indicate that on November 17, 2014 the first two cases were dismissed with prejudice — meaning they cannot be brought again and that the third case was dismissed on September 16, 2014 again not being able to be brought again.[26] The Bend Bulletin reported that "[b]ecause of confidentiality requirements, Ruckwardt said she could not disclose whether the plaintiffs received compensation."
The roots of the therapeutic curriculum originated at CEDU[9] and incorporate elements of the therapeutic community or milieu therapy model. The history of CEDU is largely the history of the development of parent-choice, private-pay residential programs. A significant number of the schools in the Emotional Growth/Therapeutic schools industry were developed or strongly influenced by people who were originally inspired by their CEDU experience. The principles on which the MBA program was founded include Soul Searching and Emotional Growth.[27]
In 1995 MBA Executive Director Tim Brace was interviewed about various aspects of the school. The article described the program as follows: Unlike public schools, the students day didn't begin with academics. Instead they met with the faculty and discussed the goals for the day. Then classes ran from 9:00 to 2:40 where students studied regular academic curricula. Afternoons alternated between extracurricular activities like sports or the arts and communications skills workshops. These workshops were described as a type of group therapy. According to Brace, students would "yell, scream, cry and laugh." The workshops were a difficult series of soul-searching and emotional growth activities called "Lifesteps." At the time there were nine Lifesteps which were described collectively as "a journey toward emotional growth and emotional health." The idea was to help students come to grip with their past and to address their future. Brace described the process as an opportunity for the students to, "Discover who they really are in a safe, non-judgmental and yet stimulating and educational environment. All young people are good at heart," he added, "and these are kids that need another chance, and we help them realize that inside they are really incredible, beautiful human beings."[28]
Lifesteps were described as learning about truth and honesty and progressing toward discovering "real" friends, goals and dreams and finally with contributing to society. Each step was designed to foster responsibility and a sense of community. The program incorporated outdoor activities and traveling outside the country. Students near to completing the Lifesteps program earned privileges.
The school had strict rules, no smoking, drinking, violence or sex. Students weren't allowed radios in the dorm rooms until 2008, 1 year before the school's closure, and no one was allowed to have caffeinated drinks. Students who violated the rules were met with varying degrees of discipline. One form of discipline was a sort of time out called a self-study. It was a writing assignment and prohibition from talking to peers for a given period of time.
Self study
Described as discipline for running away or breaking other codes (agreements), a self-study is being left alone to do some soul-searching assignments.[27]
LifeSteps
Intended to foster emotional growth and civic responsibility, LifeSteps encourage students to examine personal values and adopt positive self identities. LifeSteps are described as intense workshops some lasting a day to three days. The La Mancha LifeStep became an 18-day field trip.[27] The school updated the LifeSteps program around 2002.[29]
Prineville is a city in and the seat of Crook County, Oregon, United States. It was named for the first merchant located in the present location, Barney Prine. The population was 9,253 at the 2010 census.
The Catlin Gabel School is an independent preschool through 12th grade institution located on 67 acres in Portland, Oregon 5 miles west of downtown. Annual enrollment is approximately 780 students from a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds, and financial abilities across the Portland metro area. The school's educational philosophy is founded on the four principles of progressive education.
Wilderness therapy, also known as outdoor behavioral healthcare, is a treatment option for behavioral disorders, substance abuse, and mental health issues in adolescents. Patients spend time living outdoors with peers. Reports of abuse, deaths, and lack of research into efficacy have led to controversy.
Aspen Education Group is an American company that provides controversial therapeutic interventions for adolescents and young adults, including wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, and weight loss programs, which have been accused of torture and abuse. Since November 2006, Aspen Education Group, with corporate offices located in Cerritos, California has been a division of Bain Capital's CRC Health.
John Newton Williamson was an American rancher and politician in the state of Oregon. A native Oregonian, he served in both chambers of the Oregon Legislative Assembly representing central and eastern Oregon in the late 19th century. A Republican, he then served in Congress from 1903 to 1907 and was involved in the Oregon land fraud scandal.
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).
Katherine Brown is an American politician and attorney who served as the 38th governor of Oregon from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she served three terms as the state representative from the 13th district of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1991 to 1997, three terms as the state senator from the 21st district of the Oregon Senate from 1997 to 2009, three terms as majority leader of the Oregon Senate from 2003 to 2009, and two terms as Oregon Secretary of State from 2009 to 2015. She assumed the governorship upon the resignation of John Kitzhaber in 2015. She was elected to serve out the remainder of his gubernatorial term in the special election in 2016 and was reelected to a full term in 2018.
Allynwood Academy, formerly the Family Foundation School, was a private, co-educational, college preparatory, therapeutic boarding school located in Hancock, New York. The school was in operation from 1984 through 2014, when it closed due to declining enrollment amid a raft of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse allegations made by alumni in a grassroots "truth campaign." At least ten lawsuits have been brought by former students since 2019, in which plaintiffs claimed that strip searches, hard labor, isolation rooms, physical restraint, and sexual assault were rampant at the school in the 1990s and 2000s. Three of the lawsuits were settled in October 2021 for undisclosed sums. A front-page New York Times article in 2018 reported a pattern of at least one hundred deaths by overdose and suicide among alumni, the vast majority before age 40.
Arthur R. Bowman Dam is an earth-type irrigation dam on the Crooked River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is in Crook County. Its reservoir is called Prineville Reservoir.
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.
Tualatin Valley Academy (TVA) is a preschool-through-tenth-grade private school in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1916 as Tualatin Valley Junior Academy, the school is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. TVA was affiliated with the Ring of Fire handbell choir from its inception in 1997 until 2004.
The A. R. Bowman Memorial Museum is a local history museum in Prineville, Oregon, United States. Opened in 1971, the museum is housed in the old Crook County Bank Building which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is run by the Crook County Historical Society and highlights the history of Crook County and central Oregon. Its collection includes many original pioneer artifacts, a large railroad exhibit, ranching and timber industry displays, furniture, garments, and historic photographs. The museum also has a research library.
The Crook County Bank is a historic bank building in Prineville, Oregon, United States. It was built in 1910 using stone blocks from a local quarry. The building was first use as a bank and then occupied by title and insurance business until 1971, when ownership was transferred to Crook County for use as a local history museum. Today, the Crook County Bank building is the home of the A. R. Bowman Memorial Museum. Because of its importance to the history of Prineville, the Crook County Bank Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Crook County High School is a public high school in Prineville, Oregon, United States. The school is ranked 88th in the state of Oregon by U.S News & World Report.
Pioneer Secondary Alternative High School is a public alternative high school in Prineville, Oregon, United States.
Bend-La Pine Schools is a school district in the U.S. state of Oregon that serves the cities of Bend and La Pine in Central Oregon and the surrounding area, including Sunriver. The district has an enrollment of more than 18,000 students, and is the fifth largest in the state as of 2016.
The Central Oregonian is a twice-weekly newspaper published in Prineville in the U.S. state of Oregon.
Horace Preston Belknap was an American pioneer doctor, businessman, and a state legislator from the state of Oregon. Belknap was one of the first physicians to establish a medical practice in Central Oregon. He also served three terms in the Oregon House of Representatives as a Republican legislator, representing a large and rural district in central and southern Oregon.
Crook County Courthouse is a courthouse located in Prineville, Oregon, United States. The present courthouse, built in 1909, replaced an earlier courthouse built in 1889. In November 2021, voters of Crook County, Oregon approved a bond measure to raise up to $35 million to build a new Justice Center on a different site.
The troubled teen industry is a term used to refer to a broad range of youth residential programs aimed at struggling teenagers. The term encompasses various facilities and programs, including youth residential treatment centers, wilderness programs, boot camps, and therapeutic boarding schools.
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