John Dewey Academy
The John Dewey Academy is a therapeutic college preparatory boarding school in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, housed in Searles Castle.
It is coeducational and enrolls about 25 high school students, ages 15 to 21, typically in grades 10 to postgraduate. The student body is largely made up of self-destructive adolescents who have not responded well to traditional educational and behavioral treatment. Psychiatric drugs and diagnoses are avoided; instead the school provides a structured environment and encourages positive peer pressure to help students gain control of their lives. Program duration is 18 months or longer.[1]
According to the school, the student-teacher ratio is 3-1 and classes typically average about six students. All graduates attend college.[1]
The school was founded by Dr. Thomas E. Bratter in 1985. It is currently attempting to transition to non-profit operation as the John Dewey Academy, Inc. The school is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.[1]
Controversy
Tom Bratter, the founder had been convicted twice of abuse during his tenure. In the first case a no contest plea was filed followed by a guity conviction in the second case. He is quoted as saying "he pleaded guilty in both cases because his lawyer advised him to, but vehemently denies ever having an inappropriate relationship with a student." Also, a faculty member was discovered to have had a sexual relationship with a student which resulted in two pregnancies. [2]
Attack or Confrontation Therapy
Tom Bratter and the current head of JDA, Kenneth Steiner are published authors of books highlighting these methods and use them as their model of therapy at the John dewey Academy. [3], [4]
References
- ^ a b c "Program Details: John Dewey Academy (Therapeutic Boarding School and College Prep)". National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007.
- ^ http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/09/14/teacher_in_abuse_suit_defends_actions/?page=2
- ^ http://books.google.com/books/about/Critical_incidents_in_group_therapy.html?id=m5dHAAAAMAAJ
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=vHQ_txwfJAkC&pg=PA179&dq=ken+steiner+confrontation+therapy&hl=en&sa=X&ei=iFpLUde8E-PVyQGeloHICQ&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=ken%20steiner%20confrontation%20therapy&f=false
External links
42°12′00.14″N 73°22′00.12″W / 42.2000389°N 73.3667000°W
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