Former Laurelbrook Students Say Experience Was Negative

Students at this school are not able to make any decisions of their own. Nor do the staff who have children at this school. Their phillosophy is do what I say, and not what I do. Strict (unreasonable) rules they say are based on their christian beliefs. Students talk of a double standard at the school, and many children and staff are unhappy and would like to leave. Every one pretends all is well. Students from other countries, from South America come to school, and they have no choice but to stay, because they learning English. Some places of work are not safe to work in. They call their phillosohy of Christian education a "vocational training program, which forces them to work 4hrs a day in the morning, 6 hrs on a friday, and 4 on a sunday, and go to school in the afternoon till evening, and they have not enough time to do their homework or to socialiaze with other friends. Children also do not have a choice of where they would like to work. They so afraid children will do wrong, so they prevent them from doing wrong by keeping them busy all the time. They get fined $5 being late for class or if they late for church, students do not get paid for their work, because they told i'ts training, the training program duration is 9 weeks, thereafter, they know the job, and when they work, they told its for their school fees, they get about $50 a month if they lucky, if it didn't go all to fines. The students often complain of tirdness and not able to do their homework. Their grades suffer. They've given a lot of homework, with no time to do it. they programme every minute of their time, even their recreation time, and they have no sports. It's a very conservative small school, their training program is for students to do chores to help run a nursing home business they say runs the school, which they they call an educational "training" program, which is very demanding. The staff often put their stress of adult work onto the children, and make it their problems. The children will say these people are not Christians. Most of the children including staff kids are very rebellius, and do not want to be at this school, but are forced by their religion and by their parents. The child protection services feel that these children have no time to be children, and that they are on a adult schedule. They work 26 hrs a week. The administration give themselves good salaries and benefits, but the other staff get a small stipend, they cannot live on. All the staff and students wanted to be paid a proper wage. The emphasis is more on the work program then on their academics, which suffers. Most chldren will stay up till 1 and 2am in the morning to do homework, they sleep in class, and then have to be at work the next day. They have work on a Saturday, they call "Sabbath ministries" as if they need to do also some free work on a saturday every 3rd week. So a child will work the whole week, including a saturday and a sunday. The staff have one day off a week, but not the children. They are very much exploited and used as cheap labour to run their nursing home, the staff get a small stipend, and have no cash flow, can never better themselves. They live in a free country, but they all in prison. There is a court case hearing pending, and these people are getting some students who are brain washed, to be a witness of what a good school it is. Students are very confused about their religion, education and their future. I speak of my own experience. I trust that Justice will prevail, so that these children will no longer be treated unfairly all in the name of "vocational" training they call Christian education.

If what you are saying is true, it is revolting and an affront to God. These people are not Christians but pagans of the worst sort because the have an appearance of righteousness.

"Thus it is in our day. Darkness hath covered the earth, and gross darkness the people. Students have left our schools with a deficient education. Some think that they know all that is worth knowing, and that they are qualified to manage institutions. But they have much to unlearn and much to learn. They must know more of God. They must realize their deficiency. They must know what constitutes Christianity.
"The Essential Education" E.White, pg 54

Jesus has this to say to people who utilise slavery, fear and brainwashing tactics to alienate children and youth from God.

Matthew 18:6
"But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

I pray that these things will change

If these criticisims about the school are true, I'm suprised somebody I know is leaving the UK to work at such a school.

anon wrote:

If these criticisims about the school are true, I'm suprised somebody I know is leaving the UK to work at such a school.

It's true. I've lived and worked at Laurelbrook School before. While I was there, I fought against the system for the sake of the children, and many changes were made. These people are just so naive' when it comes to "true christian education" and how to handle young people. I've seen staff and students come and go. Most young people don't want anything to do with organiased religion when done here at Laurelbrook, wrong messages are given about christianity and negativism and confusion is the result. Many suffer from depression that others do not even know about. These children are exploited, and the staff are not treated any better, all they worry about is their "work program" they call "vocational training" they've even hood winked the labour union, all in deception, making their program now look like a vocational training program with a grade system etc. Please understand, I'm not against Christian education, I believe its good for children to do chores and learn to work physically, and in the whole aspect of christian education (mental, spiritual and physical) but unfortunately it is unbalanced at Laurebrook School, they work the students most of the summer, and very hard during school, what is vocational about mopping the rooms of the nursing home or doing the laundry, that is not a trade, now they will give them certificates doing that. How about a certificate in a proper trade, like auto body, auto mechanics, welding, metal work etc. they say the work in the summer is for their school fees etc, but how can "vocational training" go on for 46 weeks in a 55 weeks of education. They cannot answer, there is confusion as to what is work and what is "vocational training", it's wrong what goes on here, the emphasis is not on Christian education but on the work program, and you soon figure that out, once you live and work here. "Vocational training is under the disguise of Christian Education. The administration is the problem and needs changing. The same rules applicaple in 1950 still apply. Administration being here for 25 and more years. When you talk about change, all they can tell you, its policy and it's being like this now for the last 20 years, how absurd, no room for improvement at all. People who have been here, who had spiritual desernment will be able to tell you whether Laurebrook school was spirit led or not. I'm sorry for any more new staff coming to Laurelbrook, reality of religious abuse and control is very much alive at Laurelbrook School, and some people are not even aware of it, others are. When you staff here at Laurelbrook, they own your children, you lose them, to work, and they not even able to do chores at home. They suffer a lot. My concern is what message are we giving to our children about God, love and christianity. I believe its a sick system, and I pray God's justice is vindicated for the sake of his children here at Laurelbrook School, pray that the necessary changes are made. Your friends should they go to Laurelbrook, will need all the christian love and support they can get from sincere christians. Maybe God is leading them to help make those changes at Laurelbrook. Satan is working at these self supporting ministries, actually it's everywhere, his aim to destroy the faith of Gods people, especially the youth. Please pray for Laurelbrook, there are many people suffering here at Laurelbrook.

If this idea of people coming from out of the U.S. to school at LBA is true, well think about this. Through inspired writings we are told that with such a army of workers as our youth, how quickly may the work of God be completed, how soon might the end come, the end of sorrow, suffering and sin. Tell me unexperienced nit wit, why do these students come.. They don't come just for the heck of it, they come because they want to be in a Christian enviroment. They come from accross the world because it is there choice. If they don't like it at LBA its their own fault. Why? Well because your not intelligent enough to know, its because they wanted to or consented to go there. I don't know why such an uproar has occurred out of this whole ordeal. Why if Laurelbrook has done so much would people want to shut the place up. People who come to Laurelbrook want to have an education so they can be able to be studious and christian like young men and women. Do we not hear in the world today anything but negativity? The answer is yes if you were wondering. I myself have not had any problem finding a job because i know how to work with my hands. I possess many practical skills that most people don't have. Why? because not many places offer training in those areas. People of the business world and of the practical world are looking for people who know how to use their head (other then looking at a TV screen or spreading propaganda about a school they disliked). I know this for a fact because i am taking Business. We don't want people who don't know how to use their heads for anything more then a hat rack. Seriously think about this; if you were to send your kids to school, what would you want for them? Would you want them to be exposed to Sex, crime, violence, gangs, pornography, abuse, etc. Sorry to bust your bubble but that's whats in public schools today. People just don't realize it because it has become so much a part of the world as we know it. I know if i were to send my kids to school, i would want them to be able to have a well-rounded education in the spiritual, academic, vocational, realms. It is only with those views in mind that a christian can survive in todays world. So whoever of you read this, don't just read what the news has to say. Yeah there are former students who don't like LBA but i assure you that they are few, but the people who have experienced a positive change because of LBA are many. Personally i had problems at LBA but they taught me an awful lot and i wouldn't trade that for anything. GIVE US A CHANCE, Let God Lead in your life and in your decisions.

I wonder if the former students were SDA???

Often these children are sent by their parents to a school like Laurelbrook, they often don't have a choice. I've asked many students if they like Laurelbrook, most of them are negative towards Laurelbroo. I would like to tell you now dim wit, that Laurelbrook is not for all young people. Those who come from a conservative controlling background, would fit in quite well with Laurelbrooks dogmas. Those who came from a home where they could make choices, and who had much love and freedom, and treated kindly, would not fit to well in to the Laurelbrook system. Laurelbrook worked well in the 1950's, but not for this day and age. I have first hand experience as to what goes on here, so I don't think you have much room to speak. Places change over the years. My daughter is a Junior and she only has two classes a day, and one on a Friday, and the rest of the time she has to work. So the empahasis is on the work programme not on the academics, its very unbalanced. So this all round balanced education you speak of, does not exist anymore. The staff children are busier than the staff parents. Often the Staff are not examples of Chritianity. We have some staff members who treat staff and children unfairly and unkindly, yet stand up to preach. A double standard does more damage, than being exposed to the so called evil in the world. We experience evil right here at Laurelbrook, and it happens to be more offensive, than what you speak of. I know personally 4 former Laurelbrook graduates, who to day, are not SDA Christians. They happen to be very liberal, I think the point is made. The truth always wins, and I do believe what goes on here will one day be revealed. I would want to warn parents to really look carefully at Laurelbrook before sending your children to this school, they have many hardships, with no time to be a child.

captive1 wrote:

Students at this school are not able to make any decisions of their own. Nor do the staff who have children at this school. Their phillosophy is do what I say, and not what I do. Strict (unreasonable) rules they say are based on their christian beliefs. Students talk of a double standard at the school, and many children and staff are unhappy and would like to leave. Every one pretends all is well. Students from other countries, from South America come to school, and they have no choice but to stay, because they learning English. Some places of work are not safe to work in. They call their phillosohy of Christian education a "vocational training program, which forces them to work 4hrs a day in the morning, 6 hrs on a friday, and 4 on a sunday, and go to school in the afternoon till evening, and they have not enough time to do their homework or to socialiaze with other friends. Children also do not have a choice of where they would like to work. They so afraid children will do wrong, so they prevent them from doing wrong by keeping them busy all the time. They get fined $5 being late for class or if they late for church, students do not get paid for their work, because they told i'ts training, the training program duration is 9 weeks, thereafter, they know the job, and when they work, they told its for their school fees, they get about $50 a month if they lucky, if it didn't go all to fines. The students often complain of tirdness and not able to do their homework. Their grades suffer. They've given a lot of homework, with no time to do it. they programme every minute of their time, even their recreation time, and they have no sports. It's a very conservative small school, their training program is for students to do chores to help run a nursing home business they say runs the school, which they they call an educational "training" program, which is very demanding. The staff often put their stress of adult work onto the children, and make it their problems. The children will say these people are not Christians. Most of the children including staff kids are very rebellius, and do not want to be at this school, but are forced by their religion and by their parents. The child protection services feel that these children have no time to be children, and that they are on a adult schedule. They work 26 hrs a week. The administration give themselves good salaries and benefits, but the other staff get a small stipend, they cannot live on. All the staff and students wanted to be paid a proper wage. The emphasis is more on the work program then on their academics, which suffers. Most chldren will stay up till 1 and 2am in the morning to do homework, they sleep in class, and then have to be at work the next day. They have work on a Saturday, they call "Sabbath ministries" as if they need to do also some free work on a saturday every 3rd week. So a child will work the whole week, including a saturday and a sunday. The staff have one day off a week, but not the children. They are very much exploited and used as cheap labour to run their nursing home, the staff get a small stipend, and have no cash flow, can never better themselves. They live in a free country, but they all in prison. There is a court case hearing pending, and these people are getting some students who are brain washed, to be a witness of what a good school it is. Students are very confused about their religion, education and their future. I speak of my own experience. I trust that Justice will prevail, sot hat these children will no longer be treated unfairly all in the name of "vocational" training they call Christian education.

Wow How sad is this.....it is everywhere....

Copied from above...
“Laurelbrook has set the fear in them [children] that if you do not do as we say, then you're never going to achieve in life or in your partnership with God”