Information on The Heights School
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Anonymous
Anonymous
| That’s a lot to click there. Can you give us a readers digest version of what happened to you? |
Anonymous
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Definitely, I want to support my statements and provide information on what occurred but I am legally limited in what I can provide here. As I said, the Vatican refused to investigate the case and handed it to Opus Dei to investigate itself, and Opus Dei shut it down last week, so they are aware that I have reported it. It's possible that I could upload limited redacted evidence for those who wish to see it to demonstrate at least one act of abuse that sent me to the hospital and caused me to leave the school, but I am hesitant.
I highly suggest you check out the book Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church by Gareth Gore published by Simon & Schuster in 2024. Had the bill I helped draft, HB 456, been passed by the Maryland General Assembly last year, I would have been permitted to file a lawsuit in October and, if I were successful, I would be allowed to speak freely about the abuse, but the bill faced massive opposition from corporations and the Catholic Church and, unfortunately, limited support from either political party. I believe only one Republican signed on as a cosponsor while dozens of Democrats did, but the bill failed without a vote in the Democratic majority House Judiciary Committee, alongside other bills to help child victims. The goal of the bill was to follow in the footsteps of the Child Victims Act to allow all victims of child abuse and neglect to file lawsuits against their abusers, even if they developed PTSD from the abuse and took time to recover (one of the hallmark symptoms of PTSD is avoidance so this is important). Please keep in mind that the goal of my post is to gather more information on who associated with Opus Dei, the organization that operates the school, has been involved in this. In any case, here are some of the most relevant comments reflecting others' similar experiences at The Heights and other Opus Dei schools internationally (also note that the second-in-command of Opus Dei was recently charged with human trafficking): (Australia) Federal government writes to regulators investigating Opus Dei-affiliated schools that former students say caused 'pain and suffering': https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-31/government-investigation-considered-over-opus-dei-schools/101910228 (Australia) Inside the school where 'purity is everything' | Four Corners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yZnYv2UMuo (Argentina) Argentine prosecutors accuse Opus Dei leaders in South America of trafficking and labor exploitation: https://apnews.com/article/argentina-opus-dei-c04dc1f54c033a967975c6261922f698 (Argentina) Auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei charged with human trafficking and labor exploitation: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/265189/auxiliary-vicar-of-opus-dei-charged-with-human-trafficking-and-labor-exploitation (International) The Opus Dei diaries: How girls around the world were coerced into decades of gruelling service to the secretive Catholic group: https://www.ft.com/content/53bbc8a8-1c5b-4c6e-8d50-8b7c00ffa5f8 From Niche/Great Schools: "My son entered The Heights at Eighth Grade. We had just returned from a posting overseas, so he was excited about attending and meeting more boys his age. We were excited too. But any positive feelings about The Heights evaporated when he matriculated to the upper school. He was bullied physically and verbally by the other boys. Teachers berated him all in the name of 'toughening up.' When I approached the administration, the reaction was 'well, boys will be boys.' My son continues to attend therapy and blames me for keeping him under those conditions. Placing my son at The Heights destroyed the critical parent/child trust. Placing my son at the Heights robbed him of his self image and joy while the administration stood idly by.” Some kids are nice, others are nasty bullies. One teacher is a big bully as well. He even calls the kids "dumbos". Teachers and administration do nothing about it because they believe kids need to be exposed to these things so they "learn to be tough". “Massive cheating, bullying, entitlement, and hypocrisy throughout, particularly the high school. Willful ignorance by the administration.” "The bad are truly repugnant people, often very rude and narrow-minded. I've had teachers that really care, but l've also had teachers curse at me and threaten to physically hurt me. Overall, l'd say the good outweighs the bad. But the bad can get really out of hand." From DCUM: “Not good for kids with disabilities. The staff has not clue and some think it's hog wash... actually used the word hog wash with me about dyslexia.” “military like physical discipline. physical as in push ups, various non-abusive "torture methods", running the perimeter of the campus with a backpack full of books etc etc" “Next door neighbor's kids went there. Son broke his ankle during (gym/sports) @ school. Never called the parents, even though he couldn't walk on it. They told him he was fine, "walk it off". Kid was a 3rd grader. Guess he should have known better than to play? WTH? They pulled him and brother immediately. Safety is an issue, it's very Lord of the Flies.” “Those are sent to The Heist to teach them self punishment.” “The Heights doesn't believe in alphabet diagnosis. Do not send your DS there if they are ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, Aspergers, etc.” "The student in the injury question was not ours, but no discipline was handed out for something that should have warranted it. When approached with details of bullying, the staff did nothing. So, I have seen just how hands off the teachers are there...and it was not for us. The ice cream social should have been an indication, but we pushed on. For some people, it is a wonderful environment with rich opportunities....for others, not so much. ... because with the student in question it went on for years and still is currently going on. there have been boys hurt during the clan days, and those were addressed correctly, but everyday things in the valley get overlooked mostly." What we’ve heard so far: amazing school, everyone loves it, those who leave do so because their child was bullied or there were too many fights that went ignored by faculty, the no nurse business (kids with broken bones etc or major illnesses ignored), and no lower school teachers have degrees in teaching save one. So you have to be ok with the bad and love the god. Is that about right?” “No nurse at the Heights which is insane A lot of fighting in the upper grades and not stopped by the teachers. Not a great academic program.” "We made the mistake of sending our religious but not Catholic boy to the Heights. He was viciously bullied. I rue the day we let Catholic schools into our life." Please let me know if you have any information about the involvement of teachers, administrators, board members, donors, or the Prelature of Opus Dei in this. |
Anonymous
| Do they publish honor roll for all grading periods? Or are they like st Mary’s? |
Anonymous
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Is JD Vance Opus Dei?
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Anonymous
| My son broke a bone while at the Heights and it was handled perfectly; I got a call, and he was kept safe in a classroom while being monitored. The whole Nurse thing has been debated here ad nauseam, but I am in the medical field and I personally was fine with not having a nurse when my son was there. We loved it there and were sorry to move out of the area. I didn't see bullying, but I did appreciate the frequent recesses, daily Mass, and that they encouraged the boys to be independent and responsible. Sorry I can't help you. |
Anonymous
Most dcps schools no longer have a nurse on site. That’s the way it goes. |
Anonymous
No |
Anonymous
| They should have a nurse on staff BUT most schools especially public don't and just have an aid. I don't get your issues as you are just selling books and quoting others. |
Anonymous
| I’m sorry, op, but your post isn’t clear. What did you experience? What are your concerns? I’m sure the school isn’t for everyone, but they definitely have more applicants than spots and there are other schools available if families don’t want their kids to go there. |
Anonymous
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OP claims to be legally barred from providing details. He does mention Maryland bill HB 456, which appears to have been related to non-sexual abuse and neglect and would have lifted some statutes of limitations, I think. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0456
OP, I’m sorry you had such a terrible experience as a child. I don’t think your vague and extremely long posts are going to generate the additional support and evidence you seem to be looking for, especially with no clear purpose. |
Anonymous
| Are the albino monks in the room with us now? Maybe try seeing a therapist and/or get back on your meds. |
Anonymous
You don’t actually know that. The more likely answer is “probably” or “not yet”. |
Anonymous
. They literally have an MD on staff who teaches there. Why would they need a school nurse? |
Anonymous
This is, obviously, exactly the type of comment Christ would make in response to a tale of a young person's suffering. |