Academy at Swift River - Academic "Credits" Don't Transfer

[Troll Control]

I've been saying this for many years.  The vast majority of these programs have "self-study" academics, no accreditation, no licensed teachers, etc.

We had a long discussion several years ago about the Academy at Swift River, an Aspen Education Program, and the unaccredited academics there.  It was insisted by one poster here that all credits transfer, the school was accredited, etc., although he did admit that his own child had to repeat a year of highschool after leaving ASR.  He continued to claim "improvements have been made and all credits transfer and 100% of this kids get into the college of their choice."  This is false.

After operating this "school" for over a decade, Aspen Education still does not provide transferable credits through its education program.  Here is a recent statement from just last year from a parent whose child was forced to repeat a year of high school after finishing the ASR program:

This school is not structured. The credits do not transfer to any school other than as those such as a gym class or band credits. My son, upon returning to regular highschool, had to repeat junior year while taking senior year. I do not recommend this school to anyone.
Posted by a parent on 07/28/09

Link

Parents should beware Aspen Education's aggressive and false marketing of its "schools" which cannot issue diplomas nor transerable academic credits.

Back on topic...ASR unaccredited academics with untransferable credits.  Thank you.

[Whooter]

I know it's hard to choose a school or program when your kid is in a crisis and you don't see any other alternative. You kind of have to go on your gut feeling, after doing all the checking and questioning possible. ASR wasn't perfect, but I believe they save our son's life. Overall we were pleased, ...  Read more but there were some things we wish had gone smoother. He got his education, lots of therapy, both private and group, learned how to get along with others and had many experiences unique to ASR. Plus there were many recreational and other non-curricular activities. He clearly needed to be there for at least 14 months. The staff was terrific and communication mostly good. We were very involved in the therapuetic process[/b][/size]

Link

One of the strengths of these programs is that they involve the parents in the process with their children.  This helps to solidify the changes and help the parents and kids work together towards a more unified goal vs having the parents and kids work on separate issues.




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[Whooter]

lol

Our son left wilderness needing a structured program. In the three months he has been at ASR, he has made quick and consistent progress. Communication with his therapist is great and she shows a total concern for his well being. The structure he gets is also in his academics. He is also thriving ...  Read more   in school and will graduate high school on time. ASR is not for everychild and many do not thrive at ASR because of individual situations. The professional staff at ASR are best to evaluate a child and determine whether or not ASR is a good fit. The strive to make sure all students belong at their school and do not accept a child they feel they can't help. I am glad that ASR was there for my son

Link



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[Troll Control]

A major weakness is that kids flunk each grade they take at ASR.  ASR doesn't tell parents that up front though.  They're unaccredited and credits are not accepted by real schools.

[Whooter]

I know it's hard to choose a school or program when your kid is in a crisis and you don't see any other alternative. You kind of have to go on your gut feeling, after doing all the checking and questioning possible. ASR wasn't perfect, but I believe they save our son's life. Overall we were pleased, ...  Read more but there were some things we wish had gone smoother. He got his education, lots of therapy, both private and group, learned how to get along with others and had many experiences unique to ASR. Plus there were many recreational and other non-curricular activities. He clearly needed to be there for at least 14 months. The staff was terrific and communication mostly good. We were very involved in the therapuetic process

Link




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[Troll Control]

I'm not sure what that has to do with the poor kid flunking a grade.  Every kid who goes to ASR finds out later - too late - that they will have to repeat a year.

Whooter, which year did your kid repeat?  10th or 11th grade?

[Whooter]

I know it's hard to choose a school or program when your kid is in a crisis and you don't see any other alternative. You kind of have to go on your gut feeling, after doing all the checking and questioning possible. ASR wasn't perfect, but I believe they save our son's life. Overall we were pleased, ...  Read more but there were some things we wish had gone smoother. He got his education, lots of therapy, both private and group, learned how to get along with others and had many experiences unique to ASR. Plus there were many recreational and other non-curricular activities. He clearly needed to be there for at least 14 months. The staff was terrific and communication mostly good. We were very involved in the therapuetic process[/b][/size]

Link

One of the strengths of these programs is that they involve the parents in the process with their children.  This helps to solidify the changes and help the parents and kids work together towards a more unified goal vs having the parents and kids work on separate issues.




...

[Troll Control]

I'm not sure what that has to do with the poor kid flunking a grade.  Every kid who goes to ASR finds out later - too late - that they will have to repeat a year.

Whooter, which year did your kid repeat?  10th or 11th grade?

Simple question.  You said your kid required five years to graduate HS after attending ASR.  Which grade was repeated?

[Whooter]

Our son left wilderness needing a structured program. In the three months he has been at ASR, he has made quick and consistent progress. Communication with his therapist is great and she shows a total concern for his well being. The structure he gets is also in his academics. He is also thriving ...  Read more   in school and will graduate high school on time. ASR is not for everychild and many do not thrive at ASR because of individual situations. The professional staff at ASR are best to evaluate a child and determine whether or not ASR is a good fit. The strive to make sure all students belong at their school and do not accept a child they feel they can't help. I am glad that ASR was there for my son

[/i]

Link

I think this is a good find, DJ,, shows that the academics are one of ASR's strengths.  Although like any other boarding school you need to find out up front if the credits will transfer back to your childs state or not.  Every district is different.  

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[Troll Control]

"Academics are one of ASR's strengths"?  Are you kidding?  Every kid who goes there repeats the grade, like yours did.  

You always defended this by saying "academics aren't a concern when kids are at risk" but now you're saying kids flunking grades due to unaccredited academics is a strength.  You've got a few screws loose, IMO.

Your kid flunked a grade and had to repeat it.  Explain how that is a "strength" so everyone can understand this Orwellian concept.

[Anne Bonney]

Our son left wilderness needing a structured program. In the three months he has been at ASR, he has made quick and consistent progress. Communication with his therapist is great and she shows a total concern for his well being. The structure he gets is also in his academics. He is also thriving ...  Read more   in school and will graduate high school on time. ASR is not for everychild and many do not thrive at ASR because of individual situations. The professional staff at ASR are best to evaluate a child and determine whether or not ASR is a good fit. The strive to make sure all students belong at their school and do not accept a child they feel they can't help. I am glad that ASR was there for my son

So, in other words......DJ is right.

[Whooter]

"Academics are one of ASR's strengths"?  Are you kidding?  Every kid who goes there repeats the grade...

hmmm....  no link again?  Was that in the study lol...

Here lets take a look again:

Our son left wilderness needing a structured program. In the three months he has been at ASR, he has made quick and consistent progress. Communication with his therapist is great and she shows a total concern for his well being. The structure he gets is also in his academics. He is also thriving ...  Read more   in school and will graduate high school on time. ASR is not for everychild and many do not thrive at ASR because of individual situations. The professional staff at ASR are best to evaluate a child and determine whether or not ASR is a good fit. The strive to make sure all students belong at their school and do not accept a child they feel they can't help. I am glad that ASR was there for my son

[/i]

Link

I think this is a good find, DJ,, shows that the academics are one of ASR's strengths.  Although like any other boarding school you need to find out up front if the credits will transfer back to your childs state or not.  Every district is different.  

...

[Whooter]

I know it's hard to choose a school or program when your kid is in a crisis and you don't see any other alternative. You kind of have to go on your gut feeling, after doing all the checking and questioning possible. ASR wasn't perfect, but I believe they save our son's life. Overall we were pleased, ...  Read more but there were some things we wish had gone smoother. He got his education, lots of therapy, both private and group, learned how to get along with others and had many experiences unique to ASR.  Plus there were many recreational and other non-curricular activities. He clearly needed to be there for at least 14 months. The staff was terrific and communication mostly good. We were very involved in the therapuetic process

Link

Another parent who saw academics as a plus!!


...

[Troll Control]

Our son left wilderness needing a structured program. In the three months he has been at ASR, he has made quick and consistent progress. Communication with his therapist is great and she shows a total concern for his well being. The structure he gets is also in his academics. He is also thriving ...  Read more   in school and will graduate high school on time. ASR is not for everychild and many do not thrive at ASR because of individual situations. The professional staff at ASR are best to evaluate a child and determine whether or not ASR is a good fit. The strive to make sure all students belong at their school and do not accept a child they feel they can't help. I am glad that ASR was there for my son

So, in other words......DJ is right.

Yes.  And when that happens, Whooter goes on the rampage to protect his income from Aspen.  I posted a parent's experience with a link just a few posts back that stated the kid's credits wouldn't transfer, which has been reported many times by many people here and other places.  

I see "he got his education" (no mention of credits) and I see "he gets structure in academics" (no mention of creduts) and Whooter himself admitted his daughter had to repeat a grade after ASR.  Why he tries to sweep this under the rug when he already admitted it took her (or is it him, not sure anymore) five years to graduate high school.  I didn't say this.  Whooter did.  Maybe you should ask him about it.

[SUCK IT]

How much did you get paid every month to abuse kids?