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Mace-Kingsley Ranch School
Location
Palmdale, California[1][better source needed]
Tahoe, California[1]
Agua Dulce, California[1]
Gila Wilderness, New Mexico

United States
Information
Religious affiliation(s)Scientology
Opened1987
Closed2002
DirectorWally Hanks[2][3]
Molly Baxter
StaffMiles Decker, admissions
Age range12-17
LanguageEnglish
TuitionUS$30,000
AffiliationApplied Scholastics, Association for Better Living and Education, Religious Technology Center, Church of Scientology
WebsiteMace-Kingsley Ranch School

Mace-Kingsley Ranch School (later called The Ranch School, Inc.,[4] and the New Mexico Ranch School[5]) was a Church of Scientology-affiliated private ranch school for teenagers in a rural ranch environment. The school first opened for students in 1987; it later closed in 2002.

History

The school was opened in 1987 in Palmdale, Ca.[6] At one point the school had a Reserve, New Mexico post office box,[7] while at a later point it had a Carrizozo, New Mexico post office box.[4] It was located in the Gila Wilderness, New Mexico,[6] on 2,000 acres (8.1 km2; 3.1 sq mi).[8] It catered to children ages 12 to 17.[7] School tuition was approximately US$30,000 per year.[8] In 2000 the school's director was Molly Baxter.[9] The Church of Scientology publication Freewinds listed Molly Baxter as having completed the highest level of Scientology, Operating Thetan VIII, in 1989.[10] Miles Decker worked in admissions at the school in 2000.[11] The Church of Scientology publication Source listed Miles Decker as having completed Scientology courses in 2001 and 2002.[12][13] The school closed in 2002.[8]

Scientology methodology

Upon entering the school, students were first administered an IQ test, and then subjected to the Purification Rundown.[8] Students were then given the Oxford Capacity Analysis, a Scientology test written in 1953.[8] The Scientology device called an E-meter was regularly used in school processes,[8][14] and students underwent counseling through use of the Scientology process known as Auditing.[11] The school utilized the "Study Technology" methodology developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.[11]

Staff

Wally Hanks, Directory Palmdale Mace Kingsley Ranch[2][3][15]

Notable students

  • Charlie Brand of the Phoenix, Arizona band Miniature Tigers attended the school, and noted that his parents mistakenly initially thought it was a youth camp for troubled teens when they sent him there: "It was bizarre because my family's not Scientologists. My parents thought it was for troubled teens. [The camp] forced Scientology on you, and you had to go through the steps before you could leave. You had to use an E-Meter and study guides about all their beliefs."[14]

Accusations

Wally Hanks was accused of child molestation, child abuse and providing alcohol to minors involving children at the ranch.[3][15]

Scientology

A copyright notice on the school's website gave "grateful acknowledgment" to the L. Ron Hubard library for usage of works of the Scientology founder.[16] The website acknowledged that the school was "licensed" to use educational methodology from Applied Scholastics, a "service mark" owned by Association for Better Living and Education.[16] The school's website also noted that terms including Dianetics, Scientology, Purification Rundown, and Oxford Capacity Analysis "are trademarks and service marks" of the Religious Technology Center.[16] The school was endorsed by Scientologist and actress, Kelly Preston.[17]

Analysis

Lon Woodbury of Woodbury Reports visited the school site in 2000, and evaluated it on his website in 2001.[11] He noted that many of the classes were based on techniques developed by L. Ron Hubbard, and commented: "For a parent considering Mace-Kingsley Ranch School for their child, I would recommend obtaining at least a basic knowledge of Scientology. Since that is so central to the school’s program, it would be vital for the parents to be comfortable with its major tenets."[11]

Rolling Stone magazine investigated the school before it closed.[8] The article by Janet Reitman, "Inside Scientology", was critical of the school's practices.[8] The article noted: "The school enforced a rigid Scientology focus that many former students now say served as both a mechanism of control and a form of religious indoctrination."[8] This Rolling Stone article was selected for inclusion in The Best American Magazine Writing 2007, published by Columbia University Press.[18]

The Phoenix New Times characterized the school as "a Scientology-run youth camp", and "an infamous New Mexico boot-camp-like institution run by Scientologists".[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c "forum post".
  2. ^ a b "Wally Hanks Paddles Marco". Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  3. ^ a b c "forum post". 2011-06-28.
  4. ^ a b The Ranch School, Inc. (September 25, 2002). "Main". www.mkranch.com. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 2002-09-25. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  5. ^ New Perspectives (December 18, 2002). "New Mexico Ranch School". www.strugglingteens.com. Woodbury Reports, Inc. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  6. ^ a b MK Ranch School (February 8, 2001). "The Ranch". www.mkranch.com. Archived from the original on 2001-02-09. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  7. ^ a b Porter Sargent staff; Daniel P. McKeever (2001). The Directory for Exceptional Children, 14th Edition. Porter Sargent Publishers. p. 262. ISBN 0-87558-141-2. Edition: 14 - Item notes: v. 5.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Reitman, Janet (February 23, 2006). "Inside Scientology: Unlocking the complex code of America's most mysterious religion". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  9. ^ MK Ranch School (December 4, 2000). "From the Director". www.mkranch.com. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 2000-12-04. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  10. ^ Church of Scientology (December 1989). "New OT VIII". Freewinds Magazine (1).
  11. ^ a b c d e Woodbury, Lon (February 2001). "Mace-Kingsley Ranch School". Schools & Program Visits (78). Woodbury Reports Archives. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  12. ^ Church of Scientology (September 2001). "Hubbard Key to Life Course". Source Magazine (135).
  13. ^ Church of Scientology (November 2002). "Hubbard Life Orientation Course". Source Magazine (140).
  14. ^ a b c Leatherman, Benjamin (March 10, 2009). "Miniature Tigers: Almost Everyone Loves Charlie Brand". Phoenix New Times. Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  15. ^ a b "Astra Woodcraft Videos". January 20, 2001. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  16. ^ a b c MK Ranch School (August 22, 2000). "Adventure at its Best!". www.mkranch.com. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 2000-08-22. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  17. ^ MK Ranch School (January 23, 2002). "Endorsements". www.mkranch.com. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 2002-01-23. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
  18. ^ American Society of Magazine Editors (2007). The Best American Magazine Writing 2007. Columbia University Press. p. 339. ISBN 0-231-14391-5. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
Critical sites

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