Hidden Lake Academy  Hidden Lake Academy (HLA) was a therapeutic boarding school in Dahlonega, Georgia, United States, in operation from 1994 until 2011. In 2006, HLA was the subject of legal action over accreditation, the school filed bankruptcy in 2009, and shut down in 2011. The school was founded in 1994 by Dr. Leonard Buccelatto in Dahlonega, Georgia. It was intended to "fill the need for a specialty school to fill the gap between services of residential treatment centers and traditional boarding schools." In January 2009, after the bankruptcy hearing, a new branch was started under the name Creekside Wilderness Academy. It shared the same address and facilities with Hidden Lake Academy. On July 2011, the school closed. New students had typically struggled with homework, depression, anger management, or various addictions. Some students were from outside the United States. The student population ranged from about 15 to 200. Hidden Lake Academy was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), and the Georgia Accreditation Commission (GAC). The staff recommended that most of the students attend small colleges or boarding schools, although a few attended larger universities or went back to ordinary high schools, against the school's recommendations. Books were screened, and students were not allowed to possess any literature containing sex or drug references/pictures. Magazines, newspapers, and journals were also screened, and any inappropriate articles were cut out to allow the student to have reading material without negative influences. Incoming and outgoing mail were no longer screened by staff, but some letters were not permitted if they were from friends. The school did not always let students know when they received letters. Peer groups, the school's method of group therapy, started with about ten students and one counselor. Students arrived at all times during the school year and were expected to stay for 13–15 months. During that time the students received an education tailored for those with learning differences and/or disabilities, and which included group therapy. Like other behavioral modification institutions dedicated to improving behaviors, Hidden Lake Academy put students through different developmental tracks. On September 11, 2006 three plaintiffs filed a petition for a federal class action lawsuit (Civil action No. 2:06-CV-0146-WCO) against HLA and Len Buccellato on behalf of parents of students who attended the school since January 1, 2000. The case was "Jill Ryan, Ron Ryan, Doff Meyer, Robin Brecker, and on behalf of others similarly situated vs. Hidden Lake Academy, Inc; HLA, Inc.; Hidden Lake Foundation, Inc.; and Dr. Leonard Buccellato."