Scrutiny Grows Over Autism Boarding School

Shrub Oak International School, a private for-profit boarding school in New York for autistic students, is under scrutiny by multiple states over serious safety and oversight concerns. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington, and Illinois have raised red flags about the school’s conditions, with Connecticut and Massachusetts halting future student placements. Investigators found the facility lacked basic amenities like a functioning kitchen and operated more like a penal institution than an educational center. Reports described unsafe practices, including students sleeping on floors and being placed in seclusion rooms, which would be illegal in many states.

The school is not licensed or regulated as a special-education or residential facility in New York, meaning no agency oversees its operations. Despite this, over a dozen states have sent students to Shrub Oak, often paying more than $500,000 annually per student using public funds. Some parents have filed lawsuits or voiced concerns about neglect, abuse, and injuries their children sustained while enrolled. A Connecticut mother reported her son lost significant weight, had unexplained injuries, and was left unsupervised.

Although the school claims to serve students with complex needs and emphasizes security, disability rights organizations have criticized its practices and lack of transparency. Some parents still support the school, citing limited options for children with severe autism. However, experts argue that students deserve safe, regulated environments. The ongoing investigations reflect broader concerns about the lack of oversight for high-cost private schools serving vulnerable populations, raising serious questions about accountability and child welfare.

Smith Richards, J., & Cohen, J. S. (2024, June 20). Three states have warned against sending students to an unregulated boarding school for youth with autism. ProPublica. https://www.propublica.org/article/shrub-oak-international-autism-connecticut-washington-massachusetts:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}