After facing dozens of lawsuits alleging decades of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, Robert Land Academy has announced it will permanently close its doors. The Ontario military-style boarding school for boys will shut down in June 2025, ending its 47-year operation.
Founded in 1978 by G. Scott Bowman, the academy marketed itself as a solution for boys with behavioral or academic challenges. With annual tuition exceeding $64,000, the school emphasized strict discipline and physical rigor. Later investigations revealed Bowman’s claims of military service were false.
The school’s April 9 closure announcement cited declining enrollment, financial challenges, and COVID-19 impacts as reasons. Enrollment had dropped 44% while operating costs increased. The statement noticeably omitted any mention of the abuse allegations.
By April 2025, Robert Land Academy faced approximately 80 lawsuits from former students. These legal actions detail disturbing accounts of abuse spanning decades, including verbal harassment, physical punishment, withholding food, and forced intense physical labor.
Former students reported long-term psychological trauma from their experiences. Plaintiffs in lawsuits are collectively seeking tens of millions in damages, which threatened the school’s financial ability to continue operating. Many described restricted family contact and strict monitoring of all communications. Some alleged that reports of sexual assault were dismissed or covered up by school leadership.
The growing scandal intensified when gym teacher Johnathan Jeffrey Ahlstedt was arrested in April 2025 on charges of child luring and sexual interference. This arrest followed confirmation that Family and Children’s Services Niagara had been investigating the school since 2023.
Media coverage, particularly investigative reporting by publications like *The Walrus*, brought nationwide attention to the allegations. These reports prompted many former students to share their experiences publicly for the first time.
A tragic 1998 incident involved two students who ran away from the academy and were struck by a train. Their families blamed the school’s stressful environment for the boys’ desperate attempt to escape.
While the school’s closure represents a significant development for survivors seeking justice, the pending lawsuits and investigations will continue after the academy shuts its doors.
As survivors pursue accountability, the spotlight remains on the long-term impact of institutional failures. These developments reflect broader conversations about safety, mental health, and justice. Stay informed about local investigations and community responses through Marketplace Niagara.
