Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy
tuition
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:
--- Quote from: ""Guest"" ---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.
--- End quote ---
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:
--- Quote from: ""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?
--- End quote ---
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.....
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