Academy at Ivy Ridge Withdraws From World Wide Association of Specialty Programs & Schools

    OGDENSBERG, N.Y., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Academy at Ivy Ridge (AIR), a
 boarding school in upstate New York, today announced that it had concluded its
 relationship with the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs & Schools
 (WWASPS).
     "On November 29th we received word from WWASPS that it had accepted our
 letter of withdrawal," said Jason Finlinson, director of AIR, "therefore we
 are officially no longer a member of the organization."
     While WWASPS has faced significant scrutiny over the years, Finlinson
 cited his primary reason for leaving the organization as being one of "not
 needing" the affiliation any longer.  "The Academy is now capable of providing
 educational programs and seminars with its own staff or by contract," said
 Finlinson.
     Finlinson also noted that when other WWASPS schools receive unfavorable
 publicity, it affects AIR.  Says Finlinson: "It's time for us to stand on our
 own as far as our program and our reputation is concerned.  Our program is
 evolving and we feel it's unfair to have the alleged shortcomings of WWASPS
 attributed to AIR."
     Finlinson noted that he and his attorneys are working closely with both
 the New York State Education Department and the State Attorney General Office
 to reestablish accreditation for the academic department of AIR.
     "We're looking forward to a solid and collaborative working relationship
 with the state moving forward," says Finlinson.  "We're confident of
 accreditation in early 2006."
 
     WWASPS is an affiliation of (now) five specialty boarding schools located
 throughout the US and in Jamaica.  The organization is based in St. George,
 Ut.
 
     CONTACT:
     James Wall
     (303) 232-3870
 
 

SOURCE  The Academy at Ivy Ridge

    OGDENSBERG, N.Y., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Academy at Ivy Ridge (AIR), a
 boarding school in upstate New York, today announced that it had concluded its
 relationship with the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs & Schools
 (WWASPS).
     "On November 29th we received word from WWASPS that it had accepted our
 letter of withdrawal," said Jason Finlinson, director of AIR, "therefore we
 are officially no longer a member of the organization."
     While WWASPS has faced significant scrutiny over the years, Finlinson
 cited his primary reason for leaving the organization as being one of "not
 needing" the affiliation any longer.  "The Academy is now capable of providing
 educational programs and seminars with its own staff or by contract," said
 Finlinson.
     Finlinson also noted that when other WWASPS schools receive unfavorable
 publicity, it affects AIR.  Says Finlinson: "It's time for us to stand on our
 own as far as our program and our reputation is concerned.  Our program is
 evolving and we feel it's unfair to have the alleged shortcomings of WWASPS
 attributed to AIR."
     Finlinson noted that he and his attorneys are working closely with both
 the New York State Education Department and the State Attorney General Office
 to reestablish accreditation for the academic department of AIR.
     "We're looking forward to a solid and collaborative working relationship
 with the state moving forward," says Finlinson.  "We're confident of
 accreditation in early 2006."
 
     WWASPS is an affiliation of (now) five specialty boarding schools located
 throughout the US and in Jamaica.  The organization is based in St. George,
 Ut.
 
     CONTACT:
     James Wall
     (303) 232-3870
 
 SOURCE  The Academy at Ivy Ridge