The academy states that it provides "quality clinical services, education, and experiences which promote spiritual awareness, personal accountability and change of heart.

[10][11] The board of directors is composed of prominent Utah residents including Shawn Bradley,[12] BYU religion instructor Sally Wyne, and LaVar Christensen.

[13] Past board members included Utah Senator Delpha Baird, West Jordan city Judge Ronald Kunz, and police chief Ken McGuire.

[20] The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by William L. Hutchinson, Lowell L. Bennion and a group of primarily Salt Lake County educators in 1964.

[22] Later, leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars became the executive director and remained so for more than fifteen years before retiring amid controversy.

[30] On January 9, 2009, Salt Lake City radio station KRCL invited Buttars, current West Ridge staff, and the student to the talk show RadioActive!

[11] In response to the allegations, the State Office of Education prepared a 60-page report providing more details for the Board on the issues raised.

The report identified several lawsuits against West Ridge Academy, several of which were settled out of court, but could not find any corroborating evidence to support the allegations of abuse.

[35] Prior to 2005, while operating under the name, Utah Boys Ranch, the logo of the facility included the phrase, "Do What is Right, Let the Consequence Follow", taken from an LDS hymn.