Welcome to The High Frontier

The decision to place a child in a residential program is a complicated one. For most, it comes after a great deal of emotional pain and stress for all members of the family. Usually it is seen as the last chance to help get a troubled child get back on track, and is fraught with feelings of despair and hopelessness.

Many of the young people that come our way have encountered significant trauma and have been involved in traditional psychological treatment for a number of years. Some may have multiple diagnoses and have encountered other therapeutic placements. Many a family sees the child as a list of diagnostic labels, one after the other identifying what is wrong, but never seeing anything improve. All of the families have one thing in common, a love for their children, and a wish to see a brighter future.

It is our mission to give hope back to the families and to help them see that all is not lost. Even though these youth may have provided professionals and loved ones with ample reasons to see them as damaged, or in some cases irreparable, it is our contention that in each person lies the inherent wish to do good, to be good, to care for others, and be cared for.
This is at the core of our philosophy, the belief that our children today are not liabilities but assets. Through a variety of circumstances some have lost their way, but this does not mean we should give up. So many of these young people have never tapped into their true potential, and their self concept is so poor that they feel as if they have nothing to offer their family or anyone one else in this world.

The Positive Peer Culture model is powerful therapeutic approach designed to address the negative behaviors and beliefs that have lead to such a hopeless place, and replace them with a sense of competency, caring, responsibility, and self-worth. By acknowledging and enlisting the use of a powerful influence, the peer group, a child learns to care again. Helping these youth to identify their strengths, acknowledge what needs to be worked on, and giving them a purpose in helping others helps them understand and see their potential, and realize that they do matter.
Including those people who love the child the most, the family, in the treatment process is vital. We do not seek to take away that connection but to build on it. Engaging the family throughout the process is one of the most powerful ways to create change.

High Frontier School is a non-profit boarding school, licensed as a residential treatment center, that utilizes the Positive Peer Culture model to serve a co-educational student population between the ages of 12 and 18. We are located in the historic Davis Mountains of West Texas, between Fort Davis and Alpine at an altitude of over 5000 feet. The property includes approximately 360 acres of Spanish Oak and high-desert vegetation, river habitat and short-grass prairie that provides a beautiful setting and is ideal for horseback riding, hiking and other outdoor activities. The facilities include 10 cottages, dining hall, administration and clinical buildings, recreational buildings, swimming pool, gymnasium, stables and arena, school classrooms, and other facilities. Family cottages are on site for therapeutic family visits.

Founded in 1976, High Frontier provides academic and treatment services to students who are typically experiencing significant problems in the following areas: establishing and maintaining positive long-term relationships with family members, peers and adults, learning challenges or disorders, significant setbacks in academic progress, and may present a range of mood, anxiety or behavioral diagnoses. High Frontier has, since 1978, addressed these problems through by integrating the Positive Peer Culture model through all aspects of our campus including group, individual and family therapy, academic work, recreational activities and student responsibilities in helping to maintain and improve their campus.

High Frontier is licensed through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) as a Residential Treatment Center. Our school is accredited through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) (www.tea.state.tx.us).