West Ridge Academy

I am a former graduate of the westridge academy program. If you research this place you will find that it has a major history of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of the kids who attend here. The sad thing is, is that the people whom I have personally seen abuse and cause bodily injury to the kids still work there\r \r As an 11 year old kid my parents enrolled me in the program, My clinician is Mike Ruoho who still works there. I was scared and angry and felt abandoned as my parents left me with this stranger completely alone. I refused to talk to him, tell him my name ore take my coat off.\r \r Mike became irate and wrestled me to the ground, pinned my arms out to either side of me with my wrists under the legs of a chair. He then slowly started to sit down on the chair gradually increasing the pressure and pain on either one of my wrists until I agreed to do what he said. \r \r I witnessed for myself Paul Keene forcibly throw boys to the floor and up against walls.\r \r I saw one of the home parents Joe Milner throw a full gallon of milk at someones face. \r \r Violence and abuse are systemic here, if you love your kids at all do not place them in this program, it destroys lives. more

West Ridge Academy is a place that abuses children in all manners of sick ways. They have been sued several times for the same things: sexual and physical abuse of children. Simply google west ridge academy lawsuit or west ridge academy abuse. If you send your child to West Ridge, with all the controversy surrounding it, you have only yourself to blame when they come home molested and beaten. more

I know personally many young men and women who not only graduated from West Ridge but actually changed their lives. I am sure there are those who have attended West Ridge and other like programs who didn't change or turn their lives around. I am sure most kids don't want to change anything about what they are doing and likewise don't see what they are doing is harmful to anyone including themselves. It is hard to fault these programs while ignoring the individual's agency. I am grateful for programs like West Ridge which promote morals, values, potential, self worth, etc. more

I know personally many young men and women who not only graduated from West Ridge but actually changed their lives. I am sure there are those who have attended West Ridge and other like programs who didn't change or turn their lives around. I am sure most kids don't want to change anything about what they are doing and likewise don't see what they are doing is harmful to anyone including themselves. It is hard to fault these programs while ignoring the individual's agency. I am grateful for programs like West Ridge which promote morals, values, potential, self worth, etc. more

A couple of years ago our nephew need a place to get help our family could not provide. We as a family needed help as well. We found West Ridge Academy and decided to enroll. Our experience has been fantastic. Our nephew is now a productive member of his community, he is drug free and has a very healthy relationship with his family, especially his mom and step father. The hope and healing we experienced at West Ridge Academy has changed our family forever. Thank You West Ridge Academy! more

I was at West Ridge Academy for the better part of three years. During that time, I witnessed and endured horrific physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Boys were forced to read religious doctrine, wear ""dresses"" instead of pants, tied to ropes and led around like dogs on a leash, and that's just the beginning. In the last few years, West Ridge Academy has been the named defendant in at least three sexual abuse related lawsuits (two of which are currently ongoing.) I urge you to google ""West Ridge Academy abuse"" or ""Utah Boys Ranch abuse"" for more information about this facility. more

This is a really good school, especially if you child is having issues. I'd recommend it to anyone. My son went there for a few years and it really helped him mature and become a better person. more

When I went to West Ridge I was having problems with my parents and was failing school because of bad choices I was making. In addition to these challenges, I am also diagnosed with Reactive Attachment. Since I have been at West Ridge, I have had great changes in my behavior. I am a much better student and will be graduating from high school in June. I've played high school sports and made the all state teams in both baseball and soccer. I am planning to go to college and get a degree in marine biology. I have grown in understanding why I react to situations and I'm doing better at communicating with my parents. Our relationship is improving as I make good choices, problem solve and choose good friends. I can now see a future for myself that is successful and I am happy. more