Traumatic and abusive are two words that some students who attended independent institutions under the umbrella company The World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools would use to describe their experiences.
WWASPS, incorporated in 1998 by Robert Lichfield, had more than 20 independent institutions for education and treatment of troubled teenagers with these institutions found around the United States and in countries such as Mexico, Czech Republic, Samoa, and Jamaica. As of 2024, virtually none of these schools are in operation, with the locations being completely abandoned, owned by other organizations, or repurposed for other uses.
WWASPS going defunct did not come as a surprise after reports and allegations of child abuse, fraud, and unhealthy conditions came to light. More than 10 of the institutions under the WWASP umbrella were shut down due to child abuse/neglect and other reasons, such as hazing, accreditation issues, and lack of compliance with licensing regulations.
A 2024 Netflix docuseries, “The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping,” recaps filmmakers Katherine Kubler’s experience at The Academy at Ivy Ridge in Ogdensburg, N.Y., where she was sent in 2004 after being caught with alcohol at the boarding school she was attending.
“They really drill into you this complete sense of shame, and that you’re this horrible person for being there,” Kubler told Netflix. “There were no shortage of survivors willing to come forward to share their story for this documentary. There are so many incredible, important, powerful stories out there that people are finally ready to share with the world.”
Lynn resident Ferns Francois was sent to the Academy at Dundee Ranch in Alajuela, Costa Rica, one of the schools under the organization’s umbrella, at the age of 15 by his mother.
Francois said that his time there was difficult at first, but he eventually adjusted to the academy.
Although he did not dispute that abuse, manipulation, and inappropriate relationships between students and staff might have occurred, he said he has a different outlook on his experience at the institution. Francois said that some of the reports of Dundee Ranch were blown out of proportion and the whole picture was not portrayed accurately.
While he said that he had a positive experience during his time at Dundee Ranch, he admitted that staff manipulated parents in order to make students stay at the schools longer, proper health care was not given as advertised, and some of the staff took their power to heart.
“Now, depending on who you ask, or what you Google, this WWASPS program was the worst thing to ever happen to them,” Ferns said. “At first… I felt the same. A 15-year-old kid from Lynn with behavior issues that would have inevitably led to legal issues is taken away from everything and everyone he knew and subjected to routines, rules, and discipline that some might say resembled prison. One of the main rules removed the ability to speak freely without consequence, just to give you an idea. So you can imagine what a nightmare it was for me at first, longing to go home, and realizing that goal was tied directly to my behavior while there.”
Francois said the academy’s system was not perfect, but it taught him a lot of discipline. He said that if he had stayed in Lynn and never developed that discipline, it could have led to some serious consequences.
He said he got to learn a lot of Spanish, make friends from all around the world, and eat delicious Costa Rican meals and fruit daily.
Amberly Knight, a former director of Dundee Ranch, testified that the children there were punished with food deprivation. Francois disagreed with this, describing it more like portion control. He said that while many thought the portions were inadequate, he said it was just a case of culture shock and that people in Costa Rica eat smaller portions compared to Americans.
Knight’s claims made against the school eventually resulted in its final director, Narvin Lichfield, being arrested and charged with child abuse. Francois said he had not heard one account from his fellow students that Lichfield laid his hands on children, or condoned abuse, and said that many former students supported Lichfield against those claims.
“Dundee Ranch was far from perfect, and it most certainly was not fit for every troubled youth… but for me, it taught me important life lessons I still use today,” Francois said. “Like taking responsibility for your situation, adapting and appreciating it for what it is and taking control, rather than longing for what it could or should be.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been started by Francois, Daniel Black, Darren O’Connor, Sarah St. Cyr, and Stephanie Powless in order to raise money for Dundee’s first reunion, so students of the former institution can reconnect, share stories, and honor the memory of former students who have since died.
“This reunion is not just a chance to reminisce about our past, but also an opportunity to support each other in our present struggles. We want to create a safe space where we can lean on each other for strength and understanding, as some of us have struggled with substance abuse and legal issues since leaving Dundee,” the GoFundMe page reads.
Francois said that the reunion will most likely be held in Florida, where most of the students reside. Money donated will help go toward the costs of travel, accommodations, and activities.
To donate to the fundraiser click here.
Matteo Valente is a designer for The Item.
