Midwest Academy

This facility is privately owned, so they can do whatever they want without having to adhere to state rules for educational or therapeutic facilities. They can have "therapists" and "teachers" that don't have any credentials at all. Don't believe the fake reviews about how "good" it is for your child. Do your own research, and learn about the criminal charges of child abuse and sexual molestation that are currently pending.
Oct 20th, 2016

I was a student at Midwest Academy for a full 10 months. In the past, I had been through several behavioral health facilities and none had worked. When my legal guardian sent me to Midwest Academy, I was very optimistic and hopeful that I would receive the help that I needed. I lived in the state of GA and traveled all the way to Keokuk Iowa. When I first got there, I had several rules I had to learn. Some of the rules declined my creativity, things such as not being able to draw, sing, dance, or even speak any language other than English. I also found out that I would not be able to play the piano which was a major deal for me since I had been playing for 12 years at the time. I knew that all of these activities were great coping skills for me and that those were the things that kept me alive an just barely holding on. There was a thing called the "merit system" that let you earn points to "level up". The higher the level you were, the more privaledges you got. There were so many ridiculous rules that felt impossible to follow, therefore making nearly impossible to earn points. I was often put in confinement, also called Out of school suspension. I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pickles, raisins, and a fruit with milk or water for every single meal. I was often placed there for voicing my own opinion and wanting to express my own emotions. The rooms were nearly prison cells, small, dimly lit, filthy, and concrete with closed in doors. You were to wear shorts and short sleeves with no shoes or socks, even in the winter when there was no heat or ventilation. Recent phycologists I have been to state that my stay at Midwest Academy was truly traumatic, simply based off the information I gave. Now, there is a reason why it was shut down and under investigation. It was my biggest nightmare and I plan to press charges.
Oct 20th, 2016

The news on the recent actions by the FBI and other authorities is concerning. I'm a lawyer with long involvement in issues around abuse, education, disabilities and civil rights. Hopefully, questions about accountability and others will be answered soon. I've published on restraint -- "Human Services Restraint: Its Past and Future," in a journal of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Oct 7th, 2016

If your a parent and sent your kid here ,you fail as a parent .you should've not had kids in the first place.
Oct 4th, 2016

You are sending your child to hell if you send him or her here.
Sep 22nd, 2016