In 2001, the Academy at Ivy Ridge in New York was established as a school for troubled teens, despite promoting activities like horseback riding, swimming, and nature trails.
Katherine Kubler, a former attendee of the academy, recently partnered with Netflix to shed light on the reality behind the school’s facade.
Katherine Kubler, who attended the academy at 16 years old, went on to pursue a career in marketing and media after receiving her bachelor’s degree from Biola University in 2010.
She worked in various roles, including as an editor for William Morris Endeavor and later at Paramount Pictures until 2016. Eventually, she started her Los Angeles-based creative agency, Tiny Dino, where she serves as the founder, CEO, and executive creative director.
Katherine revealed that she was sent to the Academy at Ivy Ridge by her parents in 2004. The boarding school, located in Ogdensburg, New York, promised to help troubled teens change their lifestyle but subjected students to physical restraints, small bedrooms, and solitary confinement. Parents, including Katherine’s, were unaware of the harsh conditions at the school.
After 15 months at the Academy, Katherine was withdrawn and brought back home. She vowed to expose the school’s treatment of its attendees, leading her to collaborate with Netflix on a three-part docuseries titled “The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping.” The series premiered on March 5, 2024, featuring stories from Katherine and other former students of Ivy Ridge.
Reflecting on her experiences, Katherine emphasized that Ivy Ridge is just one part of a larger issue within the troubled teen industry. She aims to bring attention to the methodologies and practices of such programs to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Katherine’s efforts to shine a light on the Academy at Ivy Ridge and the troubled teen industry highlight the importance of advocating for the well-being and safety of all individuals, especially vulnerable teens in educational settings.
