Cross Creek Programs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cross Creek Programs is the common name for two boarding schools for junior high and high school students: Cross Creek Center for Boys and Cross Creek Manor for Girls, located on 150 N State St, La Verkin, Utah. Founded in 1987, it is the oldest still-open facility related to WWASP. Both schools have a therapeutic component for teens and are accredited through Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Credits earned while at Cross Creek Programs will transfer to other schools or colleges.

All of the programs have secure campuses, which keep students in and strangers out. Some are more secure than others. Visits are allowed when the teen reaches the appropriate level as an earned privilege. Cross Creek Programme claims "a 96% parent satisfaction rate".

[edit] Educational approach

The official website states the following mayor goals:

A structured daily schedule - character building - educational seminars - health and physical fitness programs - emotional growth and personal development courses - recreation - individualized academic instruction - group, individual and family therapy - many opportunities for community service - competitive sports

Cross Creek Programs present its educational and therapeutic methods thus: "We operate on a merit system we call a 'Self-Directed Process'. This allows the developing of Self Direction or Internal Direction rather than requiring continued External Direction. This is the long term key to your child’s success. The students evaluate themselves on Cooperation, Relationships, Responsibilities, and Over all Attitude. The staff will review all points given by the students. We use the staff as a safety net for those who would exaggerate their points to exploit the system.

Students work through 6 levels each new level offers additional privileges, motivating the student to work harder. As a child advances in the School, the adolescent is given additional opportunities to make personal choices. The school becomes a testing ground to ascertain each child's level of commitment toward changing past negative behavior." (Official website)

[edit] Criticism

AntiWWASP.com has stated the following points of criticism against Cross Creek Programs:

- The children are subjected to an improper privilege system that turn basic human needs into privileges that must be earned by merit, i.e. phone contact with and visits from family, and the right to shave or use hair products. - The children are under improper and mandatory security precautions such as: No use of bathroom with doors fully closed. No crossing of threshold without asking staff. No recording of phone numbers or addresses beside the parents'. Check every morning to ensure that only one pair of bras, underwear and socks are on. No watching television or newspaper reading. No looking out of the windows. No speaking when staff orders "silence". No physical contact with other girls except as part of group therapy (hugs).

[edit] Links

Official website: http://crosscreekprogram.com/

Cross Creek Programs on AntiWWASP website: http://www.antiwwasp.com/crosscreek.html