List of WWASP-affiliated programs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of programs reported by reliable sources to have been affiliated with the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools, an organization that operated a network of residential programs for adolescents in the United States and internationally.
WWASP-affiliated programs were typically privately operated facilities that functioned as separate legal entities, though they were connected through shared marketing, referral, and administrative networks.
This list includes programs identified in news reporting, legal records, and other reliable secondary sources.
| Name of school | In Operation? | Location | Circumstances/Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy at Ivy Ridge |  |
Ogdensburg, New York, United States | Closed in early 2009 due to accreditation issues | [1][2][3] |
| Bell Academy | |
Terra Bella, California, United States | Shut down in 2003 after issues with state Social Services | [4] |
| Bethel Academy | |
Mississippi, United States | Shut down in February 2005 after state officials investigated reports of abuse | [5][6] |
| Brightway Hospital | |
St. George, Utah, United States | Closed in 1998 by authorities for providing inadequate care and abuse. | [7][8][9][10] |
| Carolina Springs Academy | |
Due West, South Carolina, United States | Opened in 1998 and closed in April 2009 when its license was revoked.[11] | [12][2][13] |
| Cross Creek Programs | |
La Verkin, Utah, United States | Also known as Cross Creek Manor and Cross Creek Center. | [2][14] |
| Darrington Academy | |
Blue Ridge, Georgia, United States | Closed in March 2009 | [2] |
| Gulf Coast Academy | |
Lucedale, Mississippi, United States | Formerly known as Eagle Point Christian Academy. | [15][5] |
| Horizon Academy | |
La Verkin, Utah, United States | Originally located in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. | [2][16] |
| Mentor School *(partly overseas but US-run? optional placement)* | |
— | — | |
| MidWest Academy | |
Keokuk, Iowa, United States | Closed in 2016 after a federal raid. | [2][17] |
| Never Give Up Youth Healing Services | |
Utah / Nevada, United States | Closed in April 2023. | |
| Old West Academy | |
Randolph, Utah, United States | Formerly Majestic Ranch Academy. | [6][2] |
| Royal Gorge Academy | |
Canon City, Colorado, United States | Closed in October 2008. | [2] |
| Sky View Christian Academy | |
Hawthorne, Nevada, United States | Closed abruptly in 2007. | [2] |
| Spring Creek Lodge Academy | |
Sanders County, Montana, United States | Operated until January 2009. | [18] |
| US Youth Services | |
Lecompte, Louisiana, United States | Closed in 2018. | |
| Woodland Hills Maternity Home | |
Woodland Hills, Utah, United States | Closed on an unknown date. |
International
| Name of school | In Operation? | Location | Circumstances/Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy at Dundee Ranch | |
Costa Rica | Raided by authorities on May 22, 2003. | [19][20][21] |
| Casa by the Sea | |
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico | Investigated and shut down by the Mexican government. | [6][22][23] |
| High Impact | |
Tecate, Baja California, Mexico | Investigated and shut down by the Mexican government in 2002. | [24] |
| Mentor School | |
Costa Rica | Closed in March 2011. | |
| Morava Academy | |
Brno, Czech Republic | Closed after managers were arrested. | [6][25][16][26] |
| Pacific View Retreat | |
Mexico | Located in Baja California. | [27] |
| Paradise Cove | |
Western Samoa | Shut down by Samoan authorities and investigated by US State Department resulting in it's closure in 1998. | [28][8] |
| Pillars of Hope | |
Costa Rica | Reopened after Dundee Ranch closure. | [2] |
| Sunrise Beach | |
Cancún, Mexico | Closed in 1996 over abuse. | [8] |
| Tranquility Bay | |
Treasure Beach, Jamaica | Closed in January 2009... | [6][19][2][29][30][16][31][23] |
References
- ↑ Weiner, Tim (2003-05-09). "Parents, Shopping for Discipline, Turn to Harsh Programs Abroad". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Teen Help Specialty Boarding Schools". Archived from the original on February 28, 2007. Retrieved March 1, 2007.
- ↑ "Academy at Ivy Ridge". www.academyivyridge.com. Archived from the original on 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ Williams, Timothy (July 23, 2013). "Students Recall Special Schools Run Like Jails". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- 1 2 Good, Jaimee (April 12, 2005). "Delinquent Boys Home Sends Home Dozens Of Cadets".
- 1 2 3 4 5 Bryson, Amy Joi (April 21, 2005). "Utah-based group under fire". Deseret Morning News. Archived from the original on 2015-10-17. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ↑ "Too-tough love?". Forbes. March 22, 1999. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Hayes, Toby (July 6, 2003). "Utah-based school owner banned". Deseret News. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
- ↑ Leonard, Andrew (January 30, 1998). "21st: Schools of hard knocks". Salon. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ "Brightway Adolescent Hospital". www.vpp.com. Archived from the original on 1997-07-13. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ "Animal Bones, Carcasses Found At Closed School". WYFF. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ↑ Scheff, Sue (2008). Wit's end: advice and resources for saving your out-of-control teen. Deerfield Beach, Fla: Health Communications. ISBN 978-0-7573-0697-6.
- ↑ "Carolina Springs Academy". vpp.com. Archived from the original on 2001-06-05. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ "Cross Creek Manor". www.vpp.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ "Gulf Coast Academy". www.gulf-coastacademy.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-04. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- 1 2 3 Williams, Timothy (July 23, 2013). "Students Recall Special Schools Run Like Jails". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ↑ FOLEY, RYAN J. (September 8, 2017). "Boarding school owner charged with abusing teenage students". Associated Press. Associated Press. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Paradise Cove". www.vpp.com. Archived from the original on 1997-07-13. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- 1 2 "Boonville to discuss Kemper proposal: A company involved in the plan has faced abuse allegations". Columbia Missourian. April 11, 2005. Archived from the original on April 25, 2005. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ↑ "Dundee Ranch Academy- Saving Teens Lives". www.dundeeranch.org. Archived from the original on 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ "Dundee Ranch: Riots at Costa Rica school for troubled young Americans raises questions about programs". insidecostarica.com. Archived from the original on 2024-11-30. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ "Casa By The Sea". www.vpp.com. Archived from the original on 2001-06-04. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- 1 2 Weiner, Tim (September 3, 2004). "2 Foreign Units of Troubled U.S. Academy Are Closed". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
- ↑ DeBruin, Lynn (June 3, 2011). "Man claims abuse in teen boot camps". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. ISSN 2993-1274. OCLC 11102529. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
The lawsuit said Casa by the Sea in Ensenada, Mexico, was never licensed by any state regulatory authority as a "treatment center" and that High Impact in Baja, Mexico, was shut down by government edict in 2002 after complaints from parents.
- ↑ Green, Peter S (November 12, 1998). "Czechs Say School Abused U.S. Children". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Morava Academy". www.vpp.com. Archived from the original on 1998-06-13. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ "Pacific View Retreat". www.wwasp.com. Archived from the original on 2003-02-12. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ "Paradise Cove". www.vpp.com. Archived from the original on 1997-07-13. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
- ↑ Aitkenhead, Decca (29 June 2003). "The last resort (part two)". The Guardian. ISSN 1756-3224. OCLC 60623878. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ↑ Aitkenhead, Decca (29 June 2003). "The last resort (part one)". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ↑ "Tranquility Bay". www.vpp.com. Archived from the original on 2001-04-01. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
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