Congratulations to all you survivors! This is an enormously huge win ❤️🥹👍

https://chrysalisschoolmontana.com/

Congratulations to Riley Board of the Portland Press Herald, whose reporting on the lawsuit alleging forced labor and emotional abuse at Hyde School in Bath, Maine, received a Publick Occurrences award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association.

The recognition came as the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram also received newspaper-of-the-year honors - a significant acknowledgment of the importance of investigative journalism and public-interest reporting.

For survivors of the troubled teen industry, this recognition is particularly meaningful. Former students have spent years speaking publicly about their experiences at institutions that exercise extraordinary control over young people’s lives. Too often, those accounts have struggled to receive the sustained public attention they deserve.

The lawsuit involving Hyde School raises serious questions about student treatment, institutional practices, and accountability. Riley’s reporting helps bring these allegations into the public record, where they can be examined and discussed rather than remaining unknown to the broader community.

Journalism like this matters because families making educational decisions deserve transparency, students deserve to be safe, and allegations of abuse and forced labor deserve serious scrutiny. Survivors deserve to have their experiences heard and investigated - not automatically dismissed because the institution involved presents itself as a respected school.

This award is also a reminder of the critical role local newspapers play in holding powerful institutions accountable. Investigative reporting gives the public access to information it might otherwise never encounter and creates opportunities for difficult but necessary conversations.

Congratulations to Riley Board and the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram teams. Thank you for bringing attention to this important story and for recognizing that reporting on allegations of institutional abuse is a vital public service.

For everyone following Hyde School and the wider troubled teen industry: this is an important piece of journalism to read and share.

📰 Read the article: https://www.pressherald.com/2026/10/09/maine-sunday-telegram-portland-press-herald-and-reporters-receive-top-new-england-newspaper-awards/

Hyde boarding school accused of abusing students, forced manual labor

Former students recount abuse and neglect at Hyde School in Bath

More former Hyde School students allege mistreatment. Others say experience was positive.

Hyde School asks judge to dismiss lawsuit alleging forced labor and abuse

Revisiting Hyde: Former students say abuse allegations reopened painful memories

Federal judge allows suit against Hyde School to proceed

This school is trash, they kidnapped my 10 year old and took him to an insane asylum without so much as a phone call, violating Florida Law. Can't even call mom? What the crap? What shocked me even more was there were multiple autistic children being pulled out of the back of cop cars..

I'm surprised no one has brought it up on this subreddit. His story is currently trending due to his new book and he was on a facility for 2 years from age 11.

Does anyone have experience with Fairmont?

Hi all, curious if anyone went to LKS and wants to discuss. Went there for a bit and hated it. Not going to speak for others but it was a terrible place imo, even when compared to other programs.