My son is currently at Aspen Ranch. I just came back from a long Thanksgiving visit with him. Althought the Ranch is far from perfect there is no abuse going on.
Last October there was a huge amount of firing and now Matt Alexander is the head guy there. He is a good guy and is trying to make things right. The botom line is money, the people that work there ie: the therapist and teachers do seem to have the kids best interest at heart.
I pointed out that ODD seems to be the diagnosis dejour and that my son did not have that. They now say that maybe he is PDD or light Aspergers.
Anyway, he wants to go to another boarding school one that is a little less strict one that does not have levels. I was looking into Oak Hill academy in VA or Hyde in CT anything wrong with those schools?
My son does not have a substance abuse problem he is very bright 150 in verbal skils less in math and science 114 -125 he loves debate and the japanese language and culture.
Some of my other complaints at the Ranch is that the ropes course that they brag about has been down for 7 months and the kids do not have access to a library or computers on the weekends and the food is pretty horrendous! I'm friends with most of the mothers and one of us is always stopping in for a visit.
Any advice where to send my child P.S. he is very depressed and needs therapy and is on seraquil.
Thanks KK