Comments for LD Resources

Comment on New Leaf Academy (North Carolina) by Sanford Shapiro

Sanford Shapiro — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:24:41 +0000

Annie.
You said: “I hated some of the stuff there, but hey, I WAS A MESSED UP KID WITH PROBLEMS!!! Of course I hated being given consequences and having to do chores!”

Well-said and to the point.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Hope things are going well for you now (sounds like it) and that your path may shed some light for others.

Comment on New Leaf Academy (North Carolina) by Annie Henwood

Annie Henwood — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:26:38 +0000

One really important point to make is this: NLA and all the schools like it are few. This whole therapuetic boarding school for young girls does not have a long history. Experiments are necessary to find the right way to do things. That’s what many MANY professionals spend their lives working on. Finding the right way to deal with troubled children. Nothing is perfect. Not even close. We try and fail, but that shouldn’t stop us from trying again. NLA may fail sometimes, but that doesn’t mean they should just stop. They keep going, and every now and then there are some success stories that make it all worth it.

People on this site are saying a lot about what NLA did wrong not taking into account that life is run by trial and error. As a wise woman on this site has said: “You have to CHOOSE to change.” I’m thinking many of these people on here did not make that choice…

Comment on New Leaf Academy (Oregon) by Annie Henwood

Annie Henwood — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:22:55 +0000

Although things may be different for people who were there before/after me, these are the TRUE and HONEST Pros & Cons that mattered to me:

Pros:
-Charm necklaces
-Small environment
-sister-like bonding
-weekend activities
-field trips
-school atmosphere (teachers actually care about your learning)
-staff is GOOD at what they do or they go away very quickly
-almost never bored
-Contrary to popular belief, the supervision was NOT overwhelming
-bunnies!!!
-so so so so SOOOOO much more that I just cannot remember all at once.

Cons:
-may be life-threatening if threats are not reported
-supervision was not strict enough when I was there
-types of problems kids have should have a “too-extreme” mark where those kids who would be dangerous (as in murderous) to others should probably go to a more restricted school.
-food is poor ’cause we as kids usually made it…
-Apparently many of the graduates do not stay clean emotionally and behaviorally for very long…
-probably more things, but they’re probably not all that important since I cannot even think of them…

I went to NLA Rock Mesa from 2000-2002, so I’m sure things have changed. However, I recommend parents and relatives look at the facts and data with more acceptance than a bunch of biased opinions from people who failed the process (not necessarily failed the school).

There are many grown up girls who succeeded in changing for the better thanks to NLA. I still strongly believe it’s worth the risk.

Comment on New Leaf Academy (North Carolina) by Katherine Anne Blackstock

Katherine Anne Blackstock — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:01:18 +0000

augustgrad- it may have not helped you and thats a downside. But I have to admit, in order to succeed in the program, You have to CHOOSE to change. If you don’t it definitely has a whole different affect. Also, who ever said they wouldnt hire lpns ect. They do take your child to a regular daughter as well.

Comment on New Leaf Academy (North Carolina) by Annie Henwood

Annie Henwood — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:02:35 +0000

Wow… I went to NLA: Rock Mesa in Oregon, and I cannot even begin to imagine why so many people have issues with the school… Maybe NC was a mess to experience, but that doesn’t mean the whole school is a failure… I attended from September 2000 to July 2002. I hated some of the stuff there, but hey, I WAS A MESSED UP KID WITH PROBLEMS!!! Of course I hated being given consequences and having to do chores! I think we all need to reevaluate the intense hatred for New Leaf Academy, or at least narrow down the focus to a specific time period and location. Those two factors can make a huge HUGE difference…

I loved New Leaf. I LOVED it. It was the best environment I have ever been in. I miss the people there (students and staff), and I am deeply troubled when all I hear is how awful the entire school is. It’s definitely different since I’ve been there (new owners), so I don’t know if it’s gotten real bad or not. I just know I would not be here today if it weren’t for Jane and everyone else I knew there…

Comment on New Leaf Academy (Oregon) by Annie Henwood

Annie Henwood — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:32:39 +0000

I went to NLA Rock Mesa from September 2000 to July 2002. I would not be as successful as I am today if it weren’t for the people and the situations of learning at NLA. That place literally saved my life, and I thank all the people who were with me during that time.

Comment on The Child School by Former Parent

Former Parent — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:46:18 +0000

Re: Post #745 from former student

Please do not use the e-mail in that post. It was typed without my permission or knowing.

Thank you.

Comment on New Leaf Academy (North Carolina) by Katherine Anne Blackstock

Katherine Anne Blackstock — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:37:40 +0000

orchid doctor:
I highly disagree with your comment about staff about being unprofessional, aspen just wanting money. I am quite shocked you feel this way. I went to oregon campus and the staff and counselors were highly professionals. I am also shocked that you made it sound like a horrible place. Everyone has pros and cons and not everyone has a great experience. Yes, it has changed since aspen took over, but somehow and idk why I am offended by the negatives you have put in. I hope you don’t find me disrespectful because that isn’t my motive. Also to the grandmother whos grand daughter is there, I still dont understand your motives about wanting to know everything negative. Im not saying it is not all positive, but girls like me have been truly chaged. God bless

Comment on New Leaf Academy (Oregon) by Katherine Anne Blackstock

Katherine Anne Blackstock — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:57:27 +0000

I attended Green Ridge campus from May 21,2004-June 15,2006. I loved the experience! I was very quiet and reserved with no motivation. I do have to say, the times were not always easy. It was hard to come out of my shell, but I learned that I needed to “let go” of my perfect fantacies of my dad being the father I wanted and wished he could be. I learned to let others love me, and that I was not my biological mothers child (meaning I wasnt the mistakes she made and I didn’t have to follow her path). I made plenty of mistakes that I am not proud of. I have learned that I cannot be perfect and that the mistakes I made made me so much stronger. I highly reccommend NLA

Comment on The Child School by former parent

former parent — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:32:43 +0000

my child and I say ditto. I too thought dream come true school. There are alot of issues. The teachers are all nice, however, follow thread. If it’s a special ed school, do you want your child to have a teacher that is certified in special ed? This is what one of the DOE audits was all about because of parent complaints as well as school not following IEP’s. After a few years, my child disliked school imensly. If it’s a social problem, I can tell you a small supportive private school is the way to go. Ok – getting the funding is another story I know, been there, done that. The personnel there I see strive to do their best and they are all very nice, however, agree with above about director. My child informed me that she yelled at her and said in one of the group sessions and “that’s why you have no friends”. I did not find this out until later. This is not acceptable from someone that is supposed to be helping you.