In 2001, a disciplinary boarding institution named Academy at Ivy Ridge started operating in upstate New York. From 2001 to 2005, more than 450 students enrolled. However, several students shared about the mental and physical abuse they endured during their time at the academy. The stories of their horrifying time at the institution have come to light in Netflix’s recently released documentary, The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping. The documentary is now available to stream on Netflix.
According to the Mirror, many parents sent their kids to the academy to improve their behavior. However, they didn’t know that their child would be made to take part in cult-like activities and endure psychological abuse.
CNN reported that the school management prohibited students from having contact with the outside world. Additionally, the students had to follow specific guidelines to avoid trouble. However, many students have publicly talked about the alleged physical abuse they endured as soon as they entered the institution.
As a result, the institution faced several lawsuits from the students who alleged abuse. According to the documentary and several reports, the institution closed in 2009 after facing legal troubles. A Delaware-based corporation bought the property and revealed that they won’t reopen the academy, per North Country Now.
The Program: What Happened at the Academy in Ivy Ridge?
As mentioned in The Program, several students faced abuse at the facility. According to Time Magazine, many students slept on mattresses on the floor of the hallways. One of the students recounted how the school authorities forced her to lie face down on the floor for hours. The publication also noted that the management required the students to keep their bathroom doors open while using them.
Additionally, they were not allowed to speak to each other or even look at each other. The institution even penalized the students for looking out the window. The Sun reported that the school management brainwashed the students and forced them to admit that they used drugs. The publication also mentioned how the school management made one of the pupils believe that her father’s death in a car crash was actually her fault. They even made her write an essay saying that she “killed” her dad.
The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping features many interviews with the students who attended the school. They unravel the truth behind the so-called disciplinary institution and come forward with shocking details.
The documentary is currently playing on Netflix.
