Mount Bachelor Academy
Encyclopedia
Mount Bachelor Academy was a 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.
Located in the Ochoco National Forest
near Prineville, Oregon
, United States
the campus can accommodate 110 individuals. The typical student was between 14 and 18 years of age. The average length of stay was 14 to 16 months.
MBA was special education
approved and recognized by the Oregon Department of Education
The school had been accredited through the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
since 1994 and also accredited through the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools
.
.
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. The Oregon Department of Human Services
cleared the program at MBA following their investigation.
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.
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.
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".
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
.
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.
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. 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."
On November 9, 2009, Aspen Education Group
announced that the school would close permanently by December 9, 2009.
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.
In December 2009, MBA executive director Sharon Bitz filed a legal suite contesting the charges made against her.
In April 2010, Executive Director Sharon Bitz and representatives of MBA submitted claims against the state for damages resulting from the DHS actions.
In July 2010, Lawyers for Aspen Education filed a suit contesting the, so called substantiated findings of abuse and neglect.
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. 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.'”
DHS director of children, adults and families, Erinn Kelley-Siel made the following statement:
Aspen Education Group President, Phil Herschman made the following statement:
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 tort
s. The nine plaintiffs sought approximately $14.3 million in damages.
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 principle
s on which the MBA program was founded include Soul Searching and Emotional Growth.
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."
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. New students weren't allowed radios in the dorm rooms 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
LifeSteps
Therapeutic boarding school
A therapeutic boarding school , alternatively known as an emotional growth boarding school, is a boarding school based on the therapeutic community model that offers an educational program together with specialized structure and supervision for students with emotional and behavioral problems,...
providing help to families of adolescents experiencing emotional and behavioral disorders
Emotional and behavioral disorders
Emotional and behavioral disorders is a broad category which is used commonly in educational settings, to group a range of more specific perceived difficulties of children and adolescents...
including, minor Depressive Disorder
Minor depressive disorder
Minor depressive Disorder, also known as Minor Depression, is a mood disorder that does not meet full criteria for Major depressive disorder but in which at least two depressive symptoms are present for two weeks. It is given in the DSM-IV-TR as an example of a Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise...
, Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder is a diagnosis described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as an ongoing pattern of disobedient, hostile and defiant behavior toward authority figures which goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behavior...
, Substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
, and ADHD as well as help for teenagers and families struggling with adoption
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
issues.
Located in the Ochoco National Forest
Ochoco National Forest
The Ochoco National Forest is located in Central Oregon in the United States, north and east of the City of Prineville, location of the National Forest Headquarters. It encompasses of rimrock, canyons, geologic oddities, dense pine forests, and high desert terrain, as well as the headwaters of...
near Prineville, Oregon
Prineville, Oregon
Prineville is a city in and the county 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.- History :...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
the campus can accommodate 110 individuals. The typical student was between 14 and 18 years of age. The average length of stay was 14 to 16 months.
Academics
Mount Bachelor Academy offered a year-round academic curriculum and a low student-to-teacher ratio.MBA was special education
Special education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
approved and recognized by the Oregon Department of Education
Oregon Department of Education
The Department of Education of the U.S. state of Oregon is responsible for implementation of state policies with respect to public education at the kindergarten through community college level, including academic standards and testing, credentials, and other matters not reserved to the local...
The school had been accredited through the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
The Northwest Accreditation Commission , formerly named the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, is an organization based in Boise, Idaho which accredits a variety of schools, including K-12, elementary, middle, and high schools; schools offering distance education; non-degree-granting...
since 1994 and also accredited through the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools
Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools
The Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools is an organization devoted to promoting quality education within independent schools in the Pacific Northwest...
.
History
The school was founded in 1987 by College Health Enterprises under the direction of educator Linda Houghton. The school was originally to be located in Powell Butte, Oregon but eventually landed at the location of the former Mark's Creek Lodge. 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. Around 1998, College Health Enterprises spun off MBA and a handful of other facilities into the company that became Aspen Education GroupAspen Education Group
Aspen Education Group is an American, for-profit business organization that operates a variety of therapeutic treatment programs for troubled adolescents, including wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, and weight loss programs. Aspen is a...
.
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. The Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon Department of Human Services
The Oregon Department of Human Services is the primary health and human services agency of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The ODHS was established in 1971 as the Oregon Department of Human Resources but renamed in 1999...
cleared the program at MBA following their investigation.
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.
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.
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".
On March 31, 2009, the Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon Department of Human Services
The Oregon Department of Human Services is the primary health and human services agency of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The ODHS was established in 1971 as the Oregon Department of Human Resources but renamed in 1999...
(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
Oregon Department of Human Services
The Oregon Department of Human Services is the primary health and human services agency of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The ODHS was established in 1971 as the Oregon Department of Human Resources but renamed in 1999...
.
In June 2009, after hearing arguments in the case Forest Grove School District v. T.A.
Forest Grove School District v. T.A.
Forest Grove School District v. T. A., 129 S.Ct. 2484 , is a case in which the United States Supreme Court held that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act authorizes reimbursement for private special education services when a public school fails to provide a "free appropriate public...
, the U.S. Supreme Court hands down a decision affirming that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a United States federal law that governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to children with disabilities...
covers a claim for reimbursement made against a public school system for a student diagnosed with disabilities and subsequently enrolled at MBA.
On November 3, 2009, the Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon Department of Human Services
The Oregon Department of Human Services is the primary health and human services agency of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The ODHS was established in 1971 as the Oregon Department of Human Resources but renamed in 1999...
suspended MBA's operating license and ordered the school's temporary closure due to findings of child abuse and neglect. 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."
On November 9, 2009, Aspen Education Group
Aspen Education Group
Aspen Education Group is an American, for-profit business organization that operates a variety of therapeutic treatment programs for troubled adolescents, including wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, and weight loss programs. Aspen is a...
announced that the school would close permanently by December 9, 2009.
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.
In December 2009, MBA executive director Sharon Bitz filed a legal suite contesting the charges made against her.
In April 2010, Executive Director Sharon Bitz and representatives of MBA submitted claims against the state for damages resulting from the DHS actions.
In July 2010, Lawyers for Aspen Education filed a suit contesting the, so called substantiated findings of abuse and neglect.
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. 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.'”
DHS director of children, adults and families, Erinn Kelley-Siel made the following statement:
- "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 statement:
- “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 Human 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 tort
Tort
A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a wrong that involves a breach of a civil duty owed to someone else. It is differentiated from a crime, which involves a breach of a duty owed to society in general...
s. The nine plaintiffs sought approximately $14.3 million in damages.
Program
The roots of the therapeutic curriculum originated at CEDU and incorporate elements of the therapeutic communityTherapeutic community
Therapeutic community is a term applied to a participative, group-based approach to long-term mental illness, personality disorders and drug addiction...
or milieu therapy
Milieu Therapy
Milieu Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves the use of therapeutic communities. Patients join a group of around 30, for between 9 and 18 months. During their stay, patients are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and the others within the unit. Milieu therapy is thought to...
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 principle
Principle
A principle is a law or rule that has to be, or usually is to be followed, or can be desirably followed, or is an inevitable consequence of something, such as the laws observed in nature or the way that a system is constructed...
s on which the MBA program was founded include Soul Searching and Emotional Growth.
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."
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. New students weren't allowed radios in the dorm rooms 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.
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. The school updated the LifeSteps program around 2002.
| 1994/1995 Timeframe | 2002 - 2008 | Summer 2009 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Step - The Truth | eliminated | ||
| The Bridge | The Bridge | Transition Workshop 1 | "LifeStep" and their names dropped |
| Forever Young | Forever Young | Transition Workshop 2 | |
| The Castle | eliminated | ||
| The Promise | The Promise | Transition Workshop 3 | |
| Venture I | Venture | Transition Workshop 4 | |
| Venture II | eliminated | ||
| La Mancha | > |
> | La Mancha becomes a voluntary field trip. |
| Veritas | Veritas | Transition Workshop 5 |
External links
- MBA School Newspaper
- Emergency Suspension, Department of Human services, November 2, 2009