After a Netflix documentary brought to light alleged mistreatment at the now-defunct Academy at Ivy Ridge near Ogdensburg, we engage with three women who were residents there and refer to themselves as survivors.
Jessica Bedford, wearing a smile alongside her peers from the Academy at Ivy Ridge, conceals a darker reality behind the facade.
Describing her experience, Bedford expresses, “It’s the most harrowing ordeal I’ve ever endured, and its impact lingers to this day.”
Having spent 20 months at Ivy Ridge, she was enrolled by her father at the age of 15.
Among the numerous adolescents who enrolled in what was marketed as a residential school for troubled youth, she recounts her time there as psychologically and physically grueling.
The Netflix documentary titled “The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping” aimed to uncover the alleged instances of abuse—both physical and sexual—according to the survivors.
Reflecting on her time, Bedford remarks, “The documentary failed to capture the emotional toll of having to compete against individuals you genuinely care for just to progress or escape. The lasting effects of that psychological warfare are profound.”
Another former resident, Elizabeth, shares her story of being at Ivy Ridge from June 2003 to October 2005, struggling to articulate the extent of the indoctrination she faced.
Recalling the coercion to conform, she discloses, “We eventually succumbed to their demands, as the absence of protection loomed large if we resisted.”
Alexa Brand, featured in the documentary, recounts a fabricated narrative spun by Ivy Ridge based on a false positive drug test result, despite her clean record.
This concocted tale became a cornerstone of Ivy Ridge’s purported success.
Brand reveals, “It has been a persistent source of anguish throughout my life. Despite my family’s belief in my innocence, the shadow of doubt regarding my alleged drug use persists.”
She recollects the desperate measures taken by some to escape the confines of the academy, including suicide attempts in hopes of being reunited with their families.
Witnessing fellow residents’ distressing episodes, Brand shares, “Observing these young girls being hospitalized and returning was heart-wrenching.”
For Bedford, the silver lining amidst the trauma was the bond forged with her Ivy Ridge companions.
“We are an unbreakable unit. Our shared experiences bind us like no other. We provide unwavering support to each other,” she affirms.
During the period of allegations, the academy’s director vehemently refuted all claims of misconduct.
The institution in close proximity to Ogdensburg ceased operations in 2009.
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