tuition

[Anonymous]

It no longer includes necessary equipment for kids while at Ridge Creek.
Parents are now billed around $900 for the equipment,  even though
parents have been led to believe that tution is transferrable to Ridge
Creek.  Given that the kids who go to Ridge Creek from HLA go at the
recommendation of their counselor(s) parents are being soaked from
both ends.  I know for a fact that kids are most often issued
used equipment.  Even if they were given all new stuff, I find it difficult
to believe that boots and a sleeping bag cost $900.  My son was issuedboots from Wal-mart which cost $40.00 at most.  He wanted to wear his
own good boots but was not allowed to;  this probably contributed to
the severity of his blisters.  
How many more ways can they think of to nickel and dime parents?[/quote

the entry unifrom fee of 1400 that was to cover new uniforms that cost about 350 tops nad the rest for equipment wildernsss items, that means hla is making 400% profit on uniforms and now charging ridge creek 900 fee for stuff that i bet costs 250  wow another 350% profit

Is the $1400 uniform fee supposed to cover the costs of uniforms for the entire program? I thought it was, but I guess I'm wrong. I received a re-order form for pants and shirts - and I'm getting charged more $$$$.

[Troll Control]

Is the $1400 uniform fee supposed to cover the costs of uniforms for the entire program? I thought it was, but I guess I'm wrong. I received a re-order form for pants and shirts - and I'm getting charged more $$$$.

still haven't figured it out yet, huh?  GO GET YOUR KID and get him/her some real help.

[Anonymous]

still haven't figured it out yet, huh?  GO GET YOUR KID and get yourself some real help.

Fixed.

[Anonymous]

still haven't figured it out yet, huh?  GO GET YOUR KID and get yourself some real help.

Fixed.

I'm actually trying to figure it out and that's why I'm asking the questions. I'm not flying off the handle like some raving lunatic. My decisions have to be based off of accurate information - not a bunch of emotional rantings.

If you really care about the students, then post factual and legitimate information that parents can use to make informed decisions. Nasty comments directed at me (or others) don't add to your credence and certainly aren't helpful.

[Anonymous]

The idea that costs are all inclusive is simply a lie.  Obviously they are not.  You will be charged for new uniforms everytime your child needs them.  

Here is some helpful advice...(hopefully)

Your child can actually benefit from HLA.  Many kids have.  It largely depends on the counselor that your child has.  If you post their counselors name I will give you my opinion of them.  If you are afraid of HLA finding out who your child is if you post their counselors name, then don't post it.  

The sad reality of HLA is that it is actually a good program on paper, but the owner is running it into the ground with his poor business practices.  The bottom line controls HLA at this point more so than what is best for the kids.  That will not change, especially while the census is under 150.  If the owner would step back and let his employees do their jobs then it would be better for everyone.  That will not happen.

If you want specific questions anwered, post them, and I will try to help you out.

[Deborah]

Guest 2,
This is characteristic of most public forums.  Let me suggest that you scroll past what you find offensive and read the many reputable entries available here.
What were you originally told re: uniforms?
What is stated in your contract or the current Parent Manual?
How was "all inclusive" defined for you, prior to enrollment?

[Anonymous]

The idea that costs are all inclusive is simply a lie.  Obviously they are not.  You will be charged for new uniforms everytime your child needs them.  

Here is some helpful advice...(hopefully)

Your child can actually benefit from HLA.  Many kids have.  It largely depends on the counselor that your child has.  If you post their counselors name I will give you my opinion of them.  If you are afraid of HLA finding out who your child is if you post their counselors name, then don't post it.  

The sad reality of HLA is that it is actually a good program on paper, but the owner is running it into the ground with his poor business practices.  The bottom line controls HLA at this point more so than what is best for the kids.  That will not change, especially while the census is under 150.  If the owner would step back and let his employees do their jobs then it would be better for everyone.  That will not happen.

If you want specific questions anwered, post them, and I will try to help you out.

My questions have more to do with what is actually going on at the school then what we, as parents, are being told or led to believe. Most of us brought our children to this school because it was recommended through an Educational Consultant - someone that is a professional in this field and has (supposedly) thoroughly researched schools to determine the best alternative for our children. If you've ever been through this situation, then you know firsthand how difficult and emotional this choice is to make - especially when situations are so out of hand and you're desperate to save your child from self-destructing. I don't wish this experience on anyone.

We were told there was a surviellance system in the boy's dorms, but we weren't told it wasn't functional in at least one of the dorms. It wasn't until after a hazing incident during graduation that we found out the cameras were not working. They were repaired shortly after this incident, but they should have been in working order from the start.

Why is there so much turnover of staff? Most of the time we are told it is because the staff member is pursuing a new opportunity. We have no way to verify this information. The high amount of staff turnover is a huge red flag. People in all professions talk and this has to impact the quality of staff that can be hired.

Why do counselors constantly miss phone calls with parents? Are they dealing with too many students at a time that they are completely overwhelmed?

Why has the cost of the program increased so much? Does the school have serious financials issues? Why don't the doctors come to the school anymore? Is there or isn't there a licensed nurse on staff? Why isn't the pool finished? Why isn't the chapel/convocation complete? Is there or isn't there a science lab in the school?

I'm concerned with the types of students that have been rumored to have been admitted to the school - are there really sociopathic individuals on that campus that shouldn't be there? We're not told when serious incidents occur - we find out about them from our children. When the staff is questioned the incident is normally downplayed. Yes, we're even told our children are being manipulative or exaggerating the truth. Unfortunately, most of use have experience our children being manipulative and exaggerating so the doubt starts to creep into your mind.

I appreciate your time and anyone else who can provide credible information to help us make informed decisions.

[Anonymous]

Guest 2,
This is characteristic of most public forums.  Let me suggest that you scroll past what you find offensive and read the many reputable entries available here.
What were you originally told re: uniforms?
What is stated in your contract or the current Parent Manual?
How was "all inclusive" defined for you, prior to enrollment?

There is nothing in the Parent Handbook addressing additional fees for uniforms (at least not in the copy I have). Does anyone have anything different? The contract stated a $1400 uniform fee - that's it.

All inclusive is defined by HLA as:

Tuition:
Hidden Lake Academy has an all-inclusive tuition of $5,950 per month. However, the monthly tuition does not include the following:

Uniforms ($1,400 at enrollment)
Computer Rental (optional $600)
Transportation for Medical/Dental Appointments (if needed)
Psychological Testing (if needed)
Formal Individual Therapy (if needed)
Transportation to the Airport for Seasonal Breaks

There are no additional "hidden costs" or enrollment fees. All school trips and activities for students are included in the monthly tuition.

HLA is an 18 month therapeutic program that expands due to the date of enrollment. Students may spend 18-21 months at HLA because they must complete the academic semester to receive academic credit. We have three graduations per year based around the academic calender - May, August and December.

http://www.hiddenlakeacademy.com/Tuition.aspx

I agree with the term all-inclusive, but when we started the program we were told the doctor, dentists, etc... all came to the campus for visits. This has changed and it's a $94 transportation fee for your child to see a doctor outside of Dahlonega. Tolietries should be covered, but they're not - I'd expect that to be part of all inclusive. I didn't think that would add up to much until I have to keep ordering them because my child's toiletries are stolen on a regular basis. I expect school supplies to be provided as part of all inclusive, but I send down pens, paper, notebooks, etc... frequently, too. Don't get me started on the regular clothing, which is also stolen on a regular basis - but I'm told it was just misplaced.

My point is that the term all inclusive is misleading and is (all too frequently) subject to change and interpretation.

Anyone else had the same experiences?

[Deborah]

***My questions have more to do with what is actually going on at the school then what we, as parents, are being told or led to believe.

I understand, and it may be helpful for other parents to know if there are discrepancies between what was stated and reality.


***Most of us brought our children to this school because it was recommended through an Educational Consultant - someone that is a professional in this field and has (supposedly) thoroughly researched schools to determine the best alternative for our children.

I didn?t place my son, but did speak to the Ed Con several months into the ordeal. That conversation is transcribed in this forum. In fact, she had not ?researched? HLA. She knew nothing about the methods/techniques, policies/procedures and referred based solely on the ?owner?s reputation?. She didn't know anymore than a prospective parent who had read the literature. Come to find out, she knew nothing about my son either. I?d suggest you express your concerns to the Ed Con. S/he needs your feedback in order to make informed decisions in the future.
You have legitimate questions/concerns. I would be very curious to know his/her response.

Sorry to hear you?re having problems receiving your phone calls, but I?m relieved as well. It was a common problem for me, but assumed it was due to my opposition to my son?s placement and efforts to force them to get properly licensed. I have my own opinions about this, you?ll have to draw your own conclusions.

Perhaps ex-staff can speak to the high turn-over, either on the forum or in a private message. Are you registered as Guest 2? If not, then you may consider it so others can PM you.

As for the pool, chapel, nurse, science lab, types of participants allowed, and financial issues- they?ve all been addressed here. Have you considered making a trip to HLA and posing your questions in person? You are entitled to answers.

[Anonymous]

If you are asking 'these' questions....you already know the answers...and they are not good...Forgive me if I am frank, seemingly paranoid, but are you affiliated with 'Quirk and Quirk',HLA, Len himself, to determine just how much is known?
Food for thought.....

[Guest 2]

If you are asking 'these' questions....you already know the answers...and they are not good...Forgive me if I am frank, seemingly paranoid, but are you affiliated with 'Quirk and Quirk',HLA, Len himself, to determine just how much is known?
Food for thought.....

No, I'm not. I am a parent of a student who attends the school and I want answers because I'm not getting them from the "powers that be" at HLA.

I just registered so you can send me a PM.

[Deborah]

In 00-01, the policy was that a full time nurse was on staff and Dr Babao came to campus twice a week for colds, flu, virus, etc. Routine visits and dental appointments were expected to be scheduled during home visits. There was a fee for visits outside Dahlonega. I don?t know what it was.

A letter to parents on 14 Dec 2001 stated, ?Over the past few months we have heard from many parents the inconvenience that has arose from the policy of HLA not taking students to the dentist for routine dental work including cleanings. Coupled with the increased difficulty of coordinating medical trips so that they do not negatively impact the program in any way has help HLA evaluate its position on this issue.?
Dr Susan Sockwell DMD was to provide services on campus.
?Not having to leave the campus for service will afford every student the maximum amount of time possible to continue their hard work in the program and still receive the best care possible.?

Track these people down and ask them why they no longer treat kids on campus at HLA.

Certainly I was more critical than most, but was offended with the constant mantra of the dire importance of kids ?working hard on their program?. An occasional medical/dental appointment is not going to jeopardize a child?s ?hard work?.

As for the toiletries- can?t find the letter, but remember parents being required or manipulated to purchase toiletries from HLA. One item that I do recall was a 99 cent bottle of Suave shampoo for $5.

Clothing package was $1,175.00

Unless they?ve changed the policy, the kid leaves with the uniform on his back and returns the same. No luggage. How does one ?misplace? an article of clothing? Or a CD player? Or toiletries? Aren?t these things marked? It?s not like they have a thousand students to monitor.

[juniper2]

[Guest 2]

The questions you have asked have been answered in this Forum, countless times..




Please check your PM.

[Anonymous]

Guest 2,
I have a child a HLA and I have observed this board for several months.  My child has made significant and positive progress at HLA.  The first few months were the hardest, when we had limited contact, but now we see our child monthly, have regular emails, phone calls weekly, and feel like we know what is happening at HLA.  The riding program has been a wonderful addition and provides a regular trip off campus to care for the animals.  (our child would be caring for animals at home too).  I too wonder about the pool, but they are still fund raising for the chapel.

I have spoken to the doctors who no longer come to campus.  The doctors told me the problem was parents were not paying the health care costs when the parents were billed by the doctor and they just needed for parents to be more involved in the health care decisions.  I regular speak with the dentists and doctors that my child sees.  While I hate the travel fee, I do understand that the cost of gas is higher now than it was earlier.

I like the fact that a pharmacy tech and a nurse are working with the medications.  

Now, do some things bother me.  Yes.  But things where I work some times don't make sense either.  It's not a perfect world.  My child respects the peer counselors, hate the rules (but hated the rules at home also), likes some teachers and not others (same at home), and loses clothes (but when really pressed admits to sharing and loaning clothes).

I was amazed at all the clothes my child received.  Every time I visit the dorm (and I visit the dorm monthly), I see something new that my child received on admission.  I have replaced two pair of pants and three shirts for only $60.  And let me tell you, I could not pay that little for that much at home.  Now we don't have much expense related to toiletry items.  About once a quarter our child will need personal items such as laundry detergent, etc.  

And speaking of visits, we were able to visit often.  Last Thanksgiving when our child was unable to come home, we spent the day at HLA.  We had Thanksgiving dinner at HLA with the kids who were unable to go home.  The kids were respectful, thoughtful, and talkative.  They were laughing and having a great dinner.

As you may know, the kids can write proposals for change and send them to the headmaster.  And changes are made.  The addition of music, MP3 players was because of the kids making proposals about the importance of music in their lives.  My child feel empowers by that activity and writes proposals for changes as well.  

As you may realize, we are on the down hill road.  Our child will graduate soon and come home and go to school.

Good luck.  Now will the members of the board eat me alive for being positive about HLA.  Probably.  Do I wish that I did not need help with my child--yes.  But I did need help, and HLA has provided that help.  And it has not been easy.  The workshops have been great by the way, and meeting and keeping in touch with other parents has also been helpful.