Summit Academy Reform School

I need info on this place rite away. My sister's only boy has gottin into a lil bit of trouble in Philly and he mite be sent to this place in Hermann,PA. Is this close to Butler? Or Pittsburg? I've heard its sort of like a boot camp only they wear ties and coats to make it look like something it reelly ain't. Just a front kinda thing to missleed folks whose kids get sentenced there.Some people I know in state corrections say its a little like Glenn Mills School,only not as good and rougher with lots of hands on punishment. Is it true that they were on a provizional lisence about a year or too or three ago? Somethin about a kid's face bein smashed into a window and a kid dying without the mother being contactted by these people at Summit. Some folks from around hear in York say he should go to Glenn Mills insted. Wood like to hear from anyone whos son or granson was there or those who atended there. Is it true if sentensed there you have to do 1 to 2 yeers? Maybe even 3 years? Any issues of concern in methids of physical punnishment?

It's a private reform school for youths that have been convicted of crimes that are given a second chance by being shown what their life could be like if they follow the law and learn the basic skills to secure a job and become a productive member of society. It is close to Butler (3 miles) and in the back yard of Herman, a small village. Yes a councilor was involved in a physical fracas and the kid did sustain injuries. Bottom line, those kids aren't there because they were on the honor roll, hopefully they take advantage of the program or the ''crossbar'' hotel will be their home thru out their life

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06330/741340-8...

Homey wrote:

It's a private reform school for youths that have been convicted of crimes that are given a second chance by being shown what their life could be like if they follow the law and learn the basic skills to secure a job and become a productive member of society. It is close to Butler (3 miles) and in the back yard of Herman, a small village. Yes a councilor was involved in a physical fracas and the kid did sustain injuries. Bottom line, those kids aren't there because they were on the honor roll, hopefully they take advantage of the program or the ''crossbar'' hotel will be their home thru out their life

What do you mean by "second chance"? Do you work there? Sounds like you know a lot about it. The only other post was a proppaganda peice sayin all the good things about the placement. where are most of the boys from? Is there much fights between boys from diffrent places like Philly and Reading and Pittsburg? Are most boys charges petty or seriuos. Does the town accept the place? Can boys leave outfrom their? What is the longest they can keep sombody their? Why was they on a temporary status for awile? DO they seperate the vilent kids from the none-vilent ones? Any insiteful info would be grately apreeciated.

bernie wrote:

<quoted text>
What do you mean by "second chance"? Do you work there? Sounds like you know a lot about it. The only other post was a proppaganda peice sayin all the good things about the placement. where are most of the boys from? Is there much fights between boys from diffrent places like Philly and Reading and Pittsburg? Are most boys charges petty or seriuos. Does the town accept the place? Can boys leave outfrom their? What is the longest they can keep sombody their? Why was they on a temporary status for awile? DO they seperate the vilent kids from the none-vilent ones? Any insiteful info would be grately apreeciated.

It's better than prison.

bernie wrote:

<quoted text>
What do you mean by "second chance"? Do you work there? Sounds like you know a lot about it. The only other post was a proppaganda peice sayin all the good things about the placement. where are most of the boys from? Is there much fights between boys from diffrent places like Philly and Reading and Pittsburg? Are most boys charges petty or seriuos. Does the town accept the place? Can boys leave outfrom their? What is the longest they can keep sombody their? Why was they on a temporary status for awile? DO they seperate the vilent kids from the none-vilent ones? Any insiteful info would be grately apreeciated.

Bernie, I do not work there, I live in Butler and am familiar with the happenings in the area. I don't know tne answers to your specific questions, all I can say is I hope your nephew takes advantage of the 2nd chance he is getting and becomes a productive member of society. I understand youth sometimes gets off the path and need a little help. If he does what he's told he'll be okay. I thought the article from post gazette posted was a good indication what the place was about.

Don't let your nephew go there. Glen Mills School is better for him. Everybody out this way know that. Do whatever it takes to shut it down. PHILLY ALL DAY!!!

Darnell wrote:

Don't let your nephew go there. Glen Mills School is better for him. Everybody out this way know that. Do whatever it takes to shut it down. PHILLY ALL DAY!!!

Like a criminal has a choice where he goes. Something tells me Darnell has been a guest of the state corrections dept. Yes Philly, the home of ''fast'' eddie rendull, thank you Philly

the place is terrible

Stay away wrote:

the place is terrible

Maybe they should send these delinquents to state prison first. Then it won't seems so bad at the acadamy.

Most of them should be in a state prison, not a "school"

Stay away wrote:

Most of them should be in a state prison, not a "school"

Who pays for the operation of this reform school for these juvenile criminals? Who has to live in fear wondering when the next escape will be and what the escapees will do?
Answer: Law abiding taxpayers.

Summit Academy Escapees Caught
04-30-2008



State Police tell Radio Butler News that two residents of Summit Academy, in Herman, escaped on Monday night.

Troopers report that the escapees were taken into custody at a trailer park in Buffalo Township, on Tuesday.

The boys are now at the Shuman Center, in Pittsburgh.

Both will be charged in Allegheny County Court.

taxpayer wrote:

<quoted text>Who pays for the operation of this reform school for these juvenile criminals? Who has to live in fear wondering when the next escape will be and what the escapees will do?
Answer: Law abiding taxpayers.

Law abiding taxpayers pay a lot of money to the individuals who own this school as a private business.

yea well i went there. I got arrested and charged for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, DUI, receiving stolen property, and criminal theft. i was 17 at the time. I could've faced 4 years in an adult facility, but the judge and my p.o recommended summit academy, for a 6 month sentence in the drug and alcohol counseling program. It isn't that bad of a place. You have to wear dress pants and shirt, tie and a blazer. you attend school, group sessions, sports, or other crafty activities. There is a lack of staff supervision and a lot of corrupt things occur such as violence, bullying, gangs and drugs. The drug and alcohol program really is a joke. They just give you packets to fill out, skim through them and that's it. It really isn't an effective place, just kind of a spot to stick criminals. The only real good thing about the place is the job opportunities in the cafeteria, and the school opportunity. I probably never would've gotten my diploma if it wasn't for that place. And they are helpful with college setup and etc.. Other than that, its really a sorry excuse for a placement. I guess its better than jail, but i wouldn't recommend it. Glen mills is a better place overall. I went there for 90 days and it taught me a lot.

Homey wrote:

Summit Academy Escapees Caught
04-30-2008
State Police tell Radio Butler News that two residents of Summit Academy, in Herman, escaped on Monday night.
Troopers report that the escapees were taken into custody at a trailer park in Buffalo Township, on Tuesday.
The boys are now at the Shuman Center, in Pittsburgh.
Both will be charged in Allegheny County Court.

the staff @ summit academy goes out and looks for the escapees for HOURS before notifying the police of an escape. HOURS! makes me angry. that's time for the citizens of herman to be potencial victims. they should have to report to police as soon as the boy escapes.

I'm glad my kin got placed down at the Mills. Everyone say Summitt Acadamy trys to be like Glenn Mills but cant. Aint even close. Just a wannabe program that is frontin like they prep school. Dude up there was tellin me that a staff out at SA was talkin in a Glenn Mills blog that they see mental and physcal abuse every day out there,www.topix.com/forum/city/downingtown.pa
GLENN MILLS SCHOOL - topix

skip school

I Personally attended their in 2001 into 2002, I can tell you that. going away from my home here in york, it did help isolate me from the negative environment that was going to end up in a train wreck of a life but...they can be very aggressive and physical with the kids, I personally was never touched because I was their little star who they actually wanted to extend to force me to graduate from their school, I wanted to come back home and graduate from my hs, they offered to make me valedictorian and all, but I have witnessed countless kids get thrown into walls, dragged over auditorium seats, I saw kids jump a guy in the bathroom and throw a blanket over him and beat him unconscious, some of the staff are injured ex-steelers players!! this place shows a front to all looking in from the outside, we would be forced to take cold 3 minute showers. and if the floor was misbehaved they believed heavily on group accountability and would reduce that time, the sanction unit is where he will go first for at least 30 days, they don't call it that to you guys really that they just call "the academy" which is right in Pittsburgh, then you go to summit. that place is the worst you will wash your hair with watered down hand soap, actually you wash down everything with it come to think of it. there is where they break you basically. everything is yes sir, no sir, may i step in sir? step out sir? and that is where the staff REALLY handles the kids don't get me wrong 9 out of 10 times the kid deserved punishment because of what they did, but not ever do they deserve to get thrown into walls and bloodied up the way they are. they do go out of there way though for the kids at the same time though, trying to help those who are trying their hardest not to be helped. It took all I had to isolate myself from the low life's that surrounded me. the food is great and will likely be the best food your kid has ever ate. they literally do have a chef creating it. and the sports really help also. they focus very heavily on them and you will be treated better if you take part. i have said good and bad here about summit but i will tell you it is MUCH better than your sons alternatives, this place is like a day spa compared to the descriptions from others of what the other institutions are really like from people that have been there. Summit put me on the right track and I now have a successful career in the financial industry making six figures in a way as much as I do hate summit at the same time they helped shape my life and get me back on track for which I am eternally grateful for. I wish your son the best of luck and tell him if doesn't isolate himself the other kids will drag him under and he will be there much longer as they say the state pays them $90 per day per kid for being there..they love to hand out extensions, I was released after 7 months so if he trys it can be quicker than 1-2 years. hope this was good insight.

lifelong-resident wrote:

<quoted text>
the staff @ summit academy goes out and looks for the escapees for HOURS before notifying the police of an escape. HOURS! makes me angry. that's time for the citizens of herman to be potencial victims. they should have to report to police as soon as the boy escapes.

My man Homey works for the Summitt School Prison.
Probably wears a red & blue striped necktie and looks good in a blue blazer. Is the correctional company that runs the Sumitt prison a For-Profit corporation or a Not For Profit entity? Mr. Lifelong Resident - you bear all the risk and their corporation makes all the money.