Religious affiliation(s) Scientology Closed 2002 Tuition 30,000 USD Ceased operations 2002 | Opened 1987 Age range 12-17 Founded 1987 | |
Director Wally Hanks
Molly Baxter Staff Miles Decker, admissions | ||
Mace-Kingsley Ranch School (later called The Ranch School, Inc., and the New Mexico Ranch School) 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.
Contents
History
The school was opened in 1987 in Palmdale, Ca. At one point the school had a Reserve, New Mexico post office box, while at a later point it had a Carrizozo, New Mexico post office box. It was located in the Gila Wilderness, New Mexico, on 2,000 acres (8.1 km2; 3.1 sq mi). It catered to children ages 12 to 17. School tuition was approximately US$30,000 per year. In 2000 the school's director was Molly Baxter. The Church of Scientology publication Freewinds listed Molly Baxter as having completed the highest level of Scientology, Operating Thetan VIII, in 1989. Miles Decker worked in admissions at the school in 2000. The Church of Scientology publication Source listed Miles Decker as having completed Scientology courses in 2001 and 2002. The school closed in 2002.
Scientology methodology
Upon entering the school, students were first administered an IQ test, and then subjected to the Purification Rundown. Students were then given the Oxford Capacity Analysis, a Scientology test written in 1953. The Scientology device called an E-meter was regularly used in school processes, and students underwent counseling through use of the Scientology process known as Auditing. The school utilized the "Study Technology" methodology developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Staff
Wally Hanks, Directory Palmdale Mace Kingsley Ranch
Notable students
Accusations
Wally Hanks was accused of child molestation, child abuse and providing alcohol to minors involving children at the ranch.
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. 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. 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. The school was endorsed by Scientologist and actress, Kelly Preston.
Analysis
Lon Woodbury of Woodbury Reports visited the school site in 2000, and evaluated it on his website in 2001. 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."
Rolling Stone magazine investigated the school before it closed. The article by Janet Reitman, "Inside Scientology", was critical of the school's practices. 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." This Rolling Stone article was selected for inclusion in The Best American Magazine Writing 2007, published by Columbia University Press.
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".