“Our child questioned the rules and the rigidity (MLA calls this 'structure') and she paid a heavy price for it. We wasted almost 2 years and $250,000. They told us how much they 'love' our daughter and they 'love' us. But once they got rid of her, they never once inquired about her. Their insincerity says it all.”
James C.
Parent
“"I think the worst [thing] I went through was being forced to sit on a mattress away from everybody else in the school, similar to solitary confinement. My therapist... forgot I was on 'mattress' and left me there in turmoil reeling in my own head for 3 months as I slowly lost my mind. I still have PTSD from some of the things I went through”
Aleks W.
Survivor
“The food at maple lake was horribly unhealthy. We ate all carbs and I gained like 10 pounds while I was there. We would be given enormous portions and expected to eat most of it in order to throw the rest away. Almost every meal I was force feeding myself to the point where I was going to vomit before I was allowed to throw away my food.”
Jess S.
Survivor
“"This 'school' will run you upward of $100k a year. In January of 2022, a student DIED from medical neglect. The Utah government initially shut them down—the first one to be shut down in 7 years—however Maple Lake used their money and lobbying power to reopen."”
George R
Parent
“They hurt kids when they feel like the child is out of line. My nerve in my wrist was flattened and I will be getting carpal tunnel release surgery thanks to MLA. The staff further inflate the problem by being manipulative to the students... no one could be trusted.”
Unnamed
Survivor
“Social isolation and verbal abuse are commonplace. They will not allow you to speak about sexual traumas and cause you to feel shame. Locking children in a room alone for days at a time is normal, and during that time children will not be allowed to attend school. You receive ONE strictly monitored 10-minute call to parents a week.”
Student Alumni
Survivor
“I recently discharged from MLA and as a former student I view my departure more as liberation than farewell. The toxicity of Maple Lake’s atmosphere cannot be understated. Over my stay the program continued to degenerate and dismiss the interest of the child.”
Studen Alumni
Survivor
“I can say with utmost conviction that Maple Lake Academy is replete with the most vile, ruthless, neglectful, abusive, and cruel staff. The mental health industry capitalizes and monetizes on the misfortunes of the willing and trustful, exploiting families through manipulation and depravity.”
Former Student
Survivor
“My little brother attempted suicide at the boys school in 2015, and his therapist covered it up and threatened him not to talk about it. The administration were distant and didn't give half a cold shit about a single child living with them. Do not send your kid here unless you trust sheer luck to bring them back alive.”
Dex T.
Sibling
“I was sent to MLA after I was raped... they victim blamed me. I tried to bring it up in group therapy, I lost composure, and the therapist finished my sentence and said 'she is sad because she does not know who gave her an STD.' When I discussed other abuse in therapy, I was told I was lying for revenge so they would not comply with mandated reporting laws. I was left trying to grapple with the fact the place I was in saw me as nothing but a lying whore.”
Mikayla D.
Survivor
“Don't let this place fool you. If [deleting pages in order to remove reviews] doesn't show the amount of manipulation and corruption,think about the fact that their company's legal name is 'Maple Lake Farms.' They do no farming of any sort. All of the workers are unqualified college students. You receive ONE strictly monitored/censored 10-minute call to parents a week. One negative thing about the program and they will immediately hang up the call, tell the parents it was 'manipulation', and give you a week of punishment.”
Joey F.
Survivor
“One time I had bronchitis and was vomiting for TWO MONTHS until they finally let me see a doctor. Several times, staff forced me to eat bagels or yogurt even when it was expired. They would even claim it is perfectly fine to drink expired milk. On two occasions they forgot to feed me, and once, they flat out denied me breakfast and punished me when I ate an orange in response.”
Daphne E.
Survivor
“DONT SEND YOUR KIDS HERE!!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. Save them the hell I went through. If I could give this place a zero rating I would. The levels of control and manipulation were through the roof.”
Student Alumni
“Maple Lake Academy is replete with the most vile, ruthless, neglectful, abusive, and cruel staff. Tyrants, the staff spurred patient-authoritative figure dynamics that relied on fear mongering. If there was anything resounding that I took away from this ordeal, it is that the mental health industry capitalizes and monetizes on the misfortunes of the willing and trustful, exploiting families through manipulation and depravity.”
Nathan C.
Survivor
“A staff member who was promoted recently before I left broke a student's arm, and had no repercussions whatsoever. They have student legal rights posted, but they do not let you exercise any of them. You are not able to say how bad it is until you are out of there, or you will face repercussions.”
Roy G.
Survivor
