The disturbing true story behind Netflix’s ‘The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping’

Based on a horrific true story at Academy at Ivy Ridge, the new Netflix TV show The Program: Cons, Cults, and, Kidnapping promises a terrifying plot that might leave you hyperventilating after.

Netflix has been producing some really interesting true crime series and documentaries, which have been keeping the audience hooked. It was only last week when the docuseries about Indrani Mukerjee arrived on the streaming platform and became the talk of the town. Now, Netflix is bringing the audience another TV series called The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping, which is based on a disturbing true story. 

The new TV mini-series is directed by Katherine Kubler and is produced by Diane Becker, Rachel Libert, Melanie Miller, Brain Knappenberger, Ann Rogers and Brooke Workneh under Fishbowl Films. The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping will arrive on Netflix on 5 March, and the three-episode TV series will follow the students of The Academy at Ivy Ridge as they narrate the true story of the horrific incidents that took place at the school. 

The true story of The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping will leave you shocked

The Netflix TV show, Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping is based on the true story of the students of the Academy at Ivy Ridge, which was located in Ogdensburg, New York, a therapeutic boarding school that was functional from 2001 to 2009. The school enrolled troubled teens and offered a structured environment aiming at addressing behavioural, emotional, and academic issues. We dug deeper to learn more about the school and the shocking incidents that took place here.

The founder of The Academy

The Academy at Ivy Ridge was founded by Robert Lichfield (pictured above), who also founded other similar institutions. It operated as a residential treatment centre for adolescents, providing a blend of academic education and therapeutic interventions.

The school’s program was designed to address a range of issues including substance abuse, defiance, academic struggles, and behavioural problems. Students typically underwent a rigorous daily schedule that included academic classes, therapy sessions, physical activities, and chores. Till the spring of 2005, there were a total of 460 students enrolled at the Academy.

Facilities provided at the school

The school offered facilities like classrooms, dorms, recreational areas, computer centres, science labs, food services, and offices. The school also advertised that it had cross-country ski trails, nature trails, tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball area, baseball, football and soccer fields. Students who were on lower levels were not allowed to look out the windows.

However, one could upgrade to the upper level in 8 months and gain access to look outside and occasionally go outside to play during a monthly upper-level activity.

Where did the problem begin?

Despite its intentions to help troubled youth, Academy at Ivy Ridge was surrounded by controversy. Reports surfaced alleging instances of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of students. Concerns were raised about the harsh disciplinary practices employed by staff members, including isolation, physical restraints, and verbal abuse.

Poor living conditions, unauthorised medical procedures, psychological torture, sexual abuse, and physical abuse were some of the wrong methods being used at the facility. The true story of these controversies will be a part of the Netflix TV mini-series, Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping.

The beginning of an investigations

The controversies surrounding the school led to investigations by state authorities and media scrutiny. In 2009, following numerous complaints and legal actions, The Academy at Ivy Ridge was shut down by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The closure followed a series of events that included lawsuits, allegations of misconduct, and mounting pressure from parents and advocacy groups.

Barely a week after the Netflix documentary dropped, phones in the St. Lawrence County district attorney’s office started ringing with complaints of the lack of investigation, prompting the District Attorney to open investigations into the school. Dozens of calls and emails from former students who believe they were abused were also received. However, as some of these allegations are 20 years old, there may be an issue with the statute of limitations.

The infamous boarding school has also been put on the market for the first time since it was closed in 2009, with an asking price of USD875,000. Days after the documentary aired, the area became an attraction in itself,  prompting the private owner of the property to block the area off.

The aftermath

The school was shut in 2009 when around 60 students were enrolled in the facility. All of the students were sent home or transferred to similar boarding schools. The campus was later purchased by a Delaware corporation. The company’s spokesperson revealed that the school would not reopen.

In 2005, Ivy Ridge was instructed to pay civil penalties of USD 250,000 and make partial refunds to former students. The school was also asked to stop issuing unauthorised high school diplomas and abstain from advertising that it is an accredited school since it was just a behaviour modification program. The true story of how school life affected the students will also be a part of the Netflix TV show, Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping.

Hero & Featured Image: Courtesy IMDb