West Ridge Academy: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Infobox School▼

{{coord|40.584239|-112.019367|display=title}}

| name = West Ridge Academy▼

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}

| image = WestRidgeAcademy.PNG

{{Unreliable sources|date=May 2011}}

| imagesize = 150 px

| caption = ▼

▲{{Infobox Schoolschool

| location = [[West Jordan, Utah]], [[USA]]▼

| coordinatesname = West Ridge Academy

| districtimage = WestRidgeAcademy.PNG

| authorityimagesize = 150 px

| denominationcaption =

▲ | location = [[West Jordan, Utah]], [[USA]]

| affiliation =

| trusteeaddress = 5500 W Bagley Park Rd

| foundercity =

| presidentcounty =

| headstate of school =

| chaplaincoordinates =

| directordistrict = Kenneth Allen =

| faculty us_nces_district_id = 21

| schoolauthority code =

| denomination = nondenominational

| avg_class_size =

| ratioaffiliation =

| SATtrustee =

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| us_nces_school_id = {{NCES School ID|A1904497|school_name=West Ridge Academy|access_date=18 February 2018|ref_name=NCES}}

| schooltype = private

| tuitionpresident =

| revenuehead of school =

| endowmentchaplain =

| gradesdirector = Kenneth R. Allen

▲ | captionfaculty =

| age range = 9 - 17<ref>{{cite web| title = Admissions | work = West Ridge Academy web site | url = http://westridgeacademy.com/categories/66/Default.aspx}}</ref>▼

| classroomsteaching_staff = 10.0{{FTE}}<ref name="NCES" />

| campusschool code =

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| campusgrade10 type = 8

| conferencegrade11 = 10

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| mottoSAT =

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▲ | age range = 9 -– 1718<ref>{{cite web| title = Admissions | work = West Ridge Academy web site | url = http://westridgeacademy.com/categories/66/Default.aspxAdmissions |access-date= February 12, 2016}}</ref>

| newspaper = ▼

| establishedhours_in_day = 6.5

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| homepage = http://westridgeacademy.com/

}}

'''West Ridge Academy''' (known as the '''Utah Boys Ranch''' until 2005), is a youth [[residential treatment center]] based in [[West Jordan, Utah]], USA. It seeks to provide clinical services, education, and other programs for teens, both girls and boys, that are identified as at-risk. {{Citation needed|reason=Identified by who?|date=March 2014}} Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. In early 2005, it opened new, separate facilities for girls and changed its name to West Ridge Academy.<ref name=strugglingteens5382>{{citation | url = http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/article_5382.shtml | work=Woodbury Reports | publisher = Strugglingteens.com |author=Kristie Campbell | title=Visit Reports: West Ridge Academy | date=September 22, 2006}}, included in [http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/2006/pdf/146-October06.pdf Woodbury Reports, Inc.: October 2006: #146], pages 13–16</ref> It is a non-profit [[501(c)(3)]] corporation under the name Children and Youth Services, Inc. The academy states that it provides "quality clinical services, education, and experiences which promote spiritual awareness, personal accountability and change of heart."<ref>{{cite web| title = Home page | work = West Ridge Academy web site | url = http://westridgeacademy.com/}}</ref> The facility has received criticism for past abusive practices toward residents, including facing lawsuits in 2008, 2010, and 2012 by former students.<ref>{{cite web|last1=J.|first1=Daniel|last2=Keefe|first2=Stephen|title=My Parents Had Me Abducted and Sent to a Mormon Treatment Center|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bn5md4/my-parents-had-me-abducted-and-sent-to-a-mormon-treatment-centre|website=Vice|access-date=15 October 2017|language=en-us|date=19 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="suit1"/><ref name="suit2"/><ref name="suit3"/> In 2016, the application to transition West Ridge Academy into a [[Charter schools in the United States|charter school]], named Eagle Summit Academy, was approved by the Utah Board of Education after including caveats to keep public and private funding separate in the school's budgets and to ensure the safety of the new charter school's students.<ref name="sltribMar2"/>

'''West Ridge Academy''', formerly called the '''Utah Boys Ranch''', is "an early-intervention residential program that deals with boys at risk" in [[West Jordan, Utah]], [[USA]].

West Ridge also provides a day program called Sunshine Solutions for underprivileged local kids, age five and up which provides "summer activities, positive mentors and emotional growth to help them learn how to make good decisions".<ref name=strugglingteens5382/> The school is Christian but non-denominational, with the majority of students belonging to [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church).<ref name=visitingteam>{{cite web|title=The Report of the Accreditation Visiting Team: West Ridge Academy|url=http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/accred/reports/TeamReports/WestRidgeAcad.pdf|publisher=Utah State Office of Education|access-date=May 7, 2011|page=3}}</ref><ref name="sltribFeb"/>

==Leadership and governance==

The board of directors is composed of prominent Utah residents including [[Shawn Bradley]],<ref name="board"/> [[BYU]] religion instructor Sally Wyne, and [[LaVar Christensen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2007/870/265/2007-870265761-049ca236-9.pdf|title=West Ridge Academy 2007 tax form 990|page =20}}</ref> Past board members included Utah Senator [[Delpha Baird]], West Jordan city Judge Ronald Kunz, and police chief Ken McGuire.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://utahboysranch.org/board.htm | work = Utah Boys Ranch website | access-date = June 9, 2009 | title = Board of Trustees | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000411103942/http://utahboysranch.org/board.htm | archive-date = April 11, 2000}}</ref> Stan and [[Mary Ellen Smoot]], and [[Richard and Linda J. Eyre]] serve on an [[advisory board]].<ref name="board">{{cite web|title=Board of Directors|url=http://westridgeacademy.com/board-of-directors.aspx|work=West Ridge Academy website|access-date=May 4, 2011}}</ref> The current executive director is Kenneth R. Allen, who is also director of Proficio Management, a management company owned by the academy.<ref>{{cite web| title = Home page | work = Proficio Management web site | url = http://www.proficiomgt.com/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2007/870/265/2007-870265761-049ca236-9.pdf | title = West Ridge Academy 2007 tax form 990 | page = 8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title = West Ridge Academy Staff | work = West Ridge Academy | url = http://westridgeacademy.com/pages/299/default.aspx | access-date = June 9, 2009}}</ref> Since their founding, over 25,000 teens have attended the institution.<ref>{{cite web| work = West Ridge Academy web site | url = http://westridgeacademy.com | title = West Ridge Academy web site home page | access-date = June 9, 2009}}</ref> West Ridge is licensed by the [[List of law enforcement agencies in Utah|Utah Department of Human Services]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r501/r501-15.htm | title = UT Admin Code R501-15. Therapeutic Schools | access-date = June 9, 2009}}</ref> The license of West Ridge Academy is reviewed annually and the organization receives periodic visits from a licensing specialist to monitor and provide technical assistance and to insure compliance with Core and Categorical Rules of Treatment.<ref>{{cite web | title = Utah Department of Human Services licensure records for West Ridge Academy | url = http://www.hslic.utah.gov/db_results.asp?corp_name=West+Ridge+Academy&service=%25&SS=%25&county=%25&Submit=Search | access-date = June 9, 2009}}</ref>

==History==

[[File:WestRidgesign.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Utah Boys Ranch navigation sign prior to renaming of the facility to West Ridge Academy in 2005]]

The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by Lowell Bennion and a group of his associates<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20000303175823/utahboysranch.org/news.htm</ref> in 1964. Later, leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator [[Chris Buttars]] became the executive director and remained so for more than fifteen years before retiring in the face of [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] problems.<ref>http://www.isaccorp.org/documents/utah-boys-ranch.09.27.04.html</ref> The stated purpose of the camp is to provide clinical services and education through theistic practices, emphasizing "spiritual and moral values" and the "principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ." Since their founding, they claim to have helped over 25,000 teens.<ref>http://www.utahboysranch.org/</ref> The Utah Boys Ranch claims to "have elected to operate completely free from the restraints imposed by governmental grants, subsidies, or contracts." The Utah Boys Ranch Director claims that "the facts indicate that our government believes the laws governing separation of church and state are violated when governmenr [sic] dollars are used in any program that promotes and teaches religious principles."<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20000411154008/utahboysranch.org/director.htm</ref>

The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by William L. Hutchinson, [[Lowell L. Bennion]] and a group of primarily Salt Lake County educators in 1964.<ref>{{cite news | last = Orden | first = Del Van | title = Boys Ranch In Kearns Nears Reality | publisher = [[Deseret News]] | date = March 4, 1964 | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U0EOAAAAIBAJ&pg=7023%2C524888}}</ref><ref name="bradford">{{cite book | last = Bradford | first = Mary Lythgoe | title = Lowell L. Bennion: Teacher, Counselor, Humanitarian | publisher = Dialogue Foundation | year = 1995 | pages = 214–215 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=34wagn75d-oC | isbn = 1-56085-081-7 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Lois M.|title=Boys Ranch to dedicate spiritual center Thursday|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/400132/BOYS-RANCH-TO-DEDICATE-SPIRITUAL-CENTER-THURSDAY.html|access-date=May 4, 2011|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|date=January 22, 1995}}</ref> The group originally purchased five acres on which to build the Ranch. Bennion had twice during this initial period requested funding from LDS Church to support the Ranch, but in both instances the LDS Church refused. Soon after the second request, [[David O. McKay]], then [[President of the Church (LDS Church)|president]] of the LDS Church, donated $10,000 to support the Utah Boys Ranch.<ref name="bradford"/> Later, leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator [[Chris Buttars]] became the executive director and remained so for more than fifteen years before retiring amid controversy.

<ref>

{{Cite book

| title = Illegal Goings On at the Utah Boys Ranch?

|agency=Associated Press

| date = September 27, 2004 | url = http://www.isaccorp.org/documents/utah-boys-ranch.09.27.04.html

}}</ref>

In late 2015, an application was submitted Utah's Charter School Board. The Charter School Board approved the application and transition in January 2016, but the state's Board of Education reversed the decision the following month, denying the application without prejudice, amid allegations of abuse and financial insolvency.<ref name="sltribFeb">{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Benjamin |title=Allegations of abuse at prospective charter school splits Utah's top school boards |publisher=[[Salt Lake Tribune]] |date=February 16, 2016 |url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/3531870-155/allegations-of-abuse-at-prospective-charter?fullpage=1}}</ref> The Board of Education revisited the application in March 2016 following the preparation of a 60-page report prepared by the State's Office of Education providing details on the issues raised the previous month. After including caveats to keep public and private funding separate in the school's budgets and to ensure the safety of the new charter school's students, the Board of Education approved the application.<ref name="sltribMar2">{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Benjamin |title=Utah board approves charter school tied to treatment center accused of abusing children |publisher=[[Salt Lake Tribune]] |date=March 17, 2016 |url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/3680546-155/utah-board-approves-charter-school-tied}}</ref>

The board of directors is composed of prominent Utah [[Mormons]], such as author and politician [[Richard Eyre]], former General [[Relief Society]] President [[Mary Ellen Smoot]], [[BYU]] religion instructor Sally Wyne, politician [[LaVar Christensen]] and Senator [[Chris Buttars]].<ref>[http://utahboysranch.com/BoardofTrustees/BoardofTrustees.html UBR board of Trustees]</ref> Former Utah State Senator Delpha Baird, former [[West Jordan, Utah]] Police Chief Ken McGuire, and former West Jordan Court Judge Ronald Kunz were all members of the founding Board of Trustees.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20000411103942/utahboysranch.org/board.htm</ref> [[Deseret Industries]] donates food and supplies.{{fact|date=February 2009}}

==Sports program==

The Utah Boys Ranch original logo contained the phrase from the popular [[Mormon]] hymn #237, "Do What is Right."<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20000303021520/utahboysranch.org/dowhatisright.htm</ref>

West Ridge Academy offers a comprehensive sports program, believing it to be a positive treatment for some students because it offers a chance to form a bond with their teammates. The school has been an official member of the 1A Utah High School Activities Association since 2002 with the boys' varsity athletics.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}} It fields boys' high school teams<ref>[http://www.deseretnews.com/sports/high-school/82/West-Ridge-Academy.html West Ridge Academy Fighting Eagles], ''[[Deseret News]]''. Retrieved May 8, 2011</ref> in basketball,<ref>[http://www.deseretnews.com/sports/high-school/stats/team/82/1/West-Ridge-Academy-Boys-Basketball.html West Ridge Academy boys basketball], ''[[Deseret News]]''. Retrieved May 8, 2011</ref> baseball<ref>[http://www.deseretnews.com/sports/high-school/stats/team/82/7/West-Ridge-Academy-Baseball.html West Ridge Academy Baseball], ''[[Deseret News]]''. Retrieved May 8, 2011</ref> and soccer.<ref>[http://www.deseretnews.com/sports/high-school/stats/team/82/3/West-Ridge-Academy-Boys-Soccer.html West Ridge Academy boys soccer], ''[[Deseret News]]''. Retrieved May 8, 2011</ref> In 2006 West Ridge Academy started a girls' athletics program{{citation needed|date=May 2011}} and has a girls' basketball team.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Go Figure|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1181460/1/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717012143/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1181460/1/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2012|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=May 15, 2012|date=February 7, 2011}}</ref>

==Litigation and controversy==

There are several [[Mormon Missionaries]] called to serve missions at the Academy. These missionaries state they do not proselytize, but provide spiritual counsel for the youths that come to them. <ref>http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_living/mission_life/?id=7284</ref>

West Ridge has been the subject of several lawsuits, including personal injury lawsuits in 2008 and 2010.<ref name="suit1">{{cite web | work = Federal District Court Filings| url = http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-utdce/case_no-2:2008cv00390/case_id-66003/| title = Elsey v. West Ridge Academy case #2:2008cv00390| access-date = June 12, 2009}}</ref><ref name="suit2">{{cite web | work = Federal District Court Filings| url = http://dockets.justia.com/docket/utah/utdce/2:2010cv00313/74671/| title = Doe et al v. Children and Youth Services et al case #2:2010cv00313| access-date = May 5, 2011}}</ref> On January 2, 2009, a past student of the academy, published an article alleging abuses and controversial practices at the ranch.<ref>{{cite news|last=Norwood |first=Eric |title=Trapped in a Mormon Gulag |publisher=Orato Media Corp. |date=January 2, 2009 |url=http://www.orato.com/self-help/mormon-prep-school-west-ridge-academy |access-date=2009-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503102910/http://www.orato.com/self-help/mormon-prep-school-west-ridge-academy |archive-date=May 3, 2009 }}</ref> On January 9, 2009, [[Salt Lake City]] radio station [[KRCL]] invited Buttars, current West Ridge staff, and the student to the talk show ''RadioActive!'' to discuss the article, but Buttars and West Ridge staff declined the invitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/krcl/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1457176 |work=KRCL RadioActive website |title=RadioActive! Jan 9 The Mormon Gulag |author=Gena Edvalson |date=January 13, 2009 |access-date=June 9, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605225847/http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/krcl/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1457176 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 }}</ref> On October 21, 2010, the student sued West Ridge Academy in California District court, alleging negligence, [[physical abuse]], and sexual abuse.<ref name="suit3">{{cite web |last=Vaughn |first=Aaron |date=January 13, 2012 |title= More speak out over West Ridge Academy lawsuit, claims of abuse |url=http://fox13now.com/2012/01/13/more-speak-out-over-west-ridge-academy-lawsuit-claims-of-abuse/ |access-date=2016-02-12}}</ref>

Allegations of abuse from former students were one of the main reasons Utah's Board of Education initially denied the application for West Ridge Academy to become a charter school called Eagle Summit Academy.<ref name="sltribFeb"/> In response to the allegations, the State Office of Education prepared a 60-page report providing more details for the Board on the issues raised. The report identified several lawsuits against West Ridge Academy, several of which were settled out of court, but could not find any corroborating evidence to support the allegations of abuse.<ref name="sltribMar1">{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Benjamin |title=West Ridge Academy challenges accusations of abuse at state school board meeting |publisher=[[Salt Lake Tribune]] |date=March 17, 2016 |url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/3677839-155/west-ridge-academy-challenges-accusations-of?fullpage=1}}</ref><ref name="sltribMar2"/> The report was also critical of school's proposed financial structure.

[[Image:WestRidgesign.jpg|thumb|right|Navigation sign at WRA]]

In 2020, West Ridge Academy was under investigation after a teen girl from Bermuda died by suicide there.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Jessica |title=A Utah facility for 'troubled teens' won't be disciplined after a girl from Bermuda died |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/06/18/utah-facility-troubled/ |access-date=12 May 2021 |publisher=Salt Lake Tribute |date=18 June 2020}}</ref>

==Media coverage==

On January 2, 2009, journalist Eric Norwood, a former Boys Ranch resident, published an article detailing abuses and controversial ranch practices.<ref>{{cite news | last = Norwood | first = Eric | coauthors = | title = Trapped In A Mormon Gulag | publisher = Orato Media Corp. | date = [[2009-01-02]] | url = http://web.mac.com/goodk/www.MormonGulag.com/Legal_Issues_and_Bad_Press_West_Ridge_Academy_Mormon_Gulag_Utah_Boys_Ranch/Entries/2009/1/2_.html | accessdate = 2009-02-19 }}</ref> On January 9, 2009, [[Salt Lake City]] radio station [[KRCL]] invited Senator Buttars, West Ridge staff, and Eric Norwood on their talk show ''RadioActive!'' to discuss the article, but Buttars and West Ridge Academy declined.<ref>[http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/krcl/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1457176 KRCL RadioActive]</ref>

In 2021, an employee was charged with child abuse after breaking a child's wrist who was allegedly verbally acting out in class and being defiant.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reavy |first1=Pat |title=Employee at Utah school for troubled teens charged with child abuse |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50164274/employee-at-utah-school-for-troubled-teens-charged-with-child-abuse |access-date=12 May 2021 |publisher=ksl.com |date=12 May 2021}}</ref>

==Notes==

{{reflist|2}}▼

==Relationship with LDS Church==

{{Cleanup-link rot|date=June 2009}}

The academy is [[nondenominational]] and open to all regardless of religious affiliation,<ref name=strugglingteens5382/><ref name="visitingteam"/> but has had a number of connections with the LDS Church throughout the academy's history. The academy was established in 1964 with the assistance of a $10,000 donation from David O. McKay, then president of the LDS Church.<ref name="bradford"/> There are several elderly couples called as LDS service [[Mormon missionaries|missionaries]] at the academy. The service missionaries provide spiritual tutoring but do not proselytize, using the [[Book of Mormon]] and the [[Bible]] with LDS teens and only the Bible when interacting with teens of other faiths at the academy. Ken Allen, the academy's director, has stated that the missionaries' role is pivotal in the reformation of the boys and girls who attend West Ridge Academy.<ref>{{cite news | last = Farmer | first = Molly | title = Missionaries bring love into lives at West Ridge Academy | work = MormonTimes | publisher = [[Deseret News]] | date = April 15, 2009 | url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705297623/Missionaries-bring-love-into-lives-at-West-Ridge-Academy.html?pg=all |access-date=2016-02-12}}</ref> Prior to 2005, while operating under the name, Utah Boys Ranch, the logo of the facility included the phrase, "Do What is Right, Let the Consequence Follow", taken from an LDS hymn.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://utahboysranch.org/dowhatisright.htm | work = Utah Boys Ranch website | access-date = June 9, 2009 | title = "Do What Is Right...Let the Consequence Follow" Our Yearly Theme | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000303021520/http://utahboysranch.org/dowhatisright.htm | archive-date = March 3, 2000}}</ref> [[H. David Burton]], when he was the [[Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)|Presiding Bishop]] of the LDS Church, said that the LDS Church "has been and continues to be a long-time supporter" of West Ridge Academy.<ref>{{cite news | last = Mcallister | first = Nelda | title = Alex Boye performs at West Ridge Academy gala

| work = MormonTimes | publisher = [[Deseret News]] | date = April 14, 2011 | url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705370782/Alex-Boye-performs-at-West-Ridge-Academy-gala.html}}</ref>

==References==

▲{{reflistReflist|2}}

==External links==

*[http://westridgeacademy.com Academy official website]

*[http://www.mormongulag.com ''MormonSite critical of the facility, run by former Gulag''students]

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Behavior modification]]

[[Category:Boarding schools in Utah]]

[[Category:Private schoolsSchools in Salt Lake County, Utah]]

[[Category:Salt Lake County, Utah]]▼

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[[Category:Youth rights]]

[[Category:MormonismEducational institutions established in 1964]]

▲[[Category:SpecialTherapeutic boarding schools in the United States]]

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[[Category:1964 establishments in Utah]]

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