High Mountain Institute (Top Ranked 草榴社区 School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked CO School
School Type: Special Program Emphasis
Grades: 11-12
Enrollment: 40 students
Yearly Tuition: $38,800
Acceptance rate: 60%
Average class size: 10 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: 鉁�Verified school update

School Rankings

High Mountain Institute ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for:

School Facts

School Type

School with Special Program Emphasis

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 11-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	High Mountain Institute
11	35
12	5

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Offers Post-Graduate Year

Yes

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Year Founded

1995

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

Campus Size

80 acres

School Motto

When Nature & Minds Meet

Student Body

Total Students

40 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

16%

State avg.: 25%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

10 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

4:1

National avg.:

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

50%

Average Class Size

10 students

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Number of AP Courses

2 courses

List of Courses Offered

Advanced Courses

AB CalculusAP U.S. History

BC CalculusLiterature of the Natural World

Natural SciencePractices and Principles: Ethics of the Natural World

PrecalculusSpanish

U.S. History

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
State or regional independent school association
Other school association(s)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$38,800

View national tuition avg.

Summer Program Cost

$11,900

% on Financial Aid

30%

Acceptance Rate

60%

National avg.: 82%

College Acceptance Rate

100%

Admissions Director

Jill Gardiner

Admissions Associate

Keira Obert

Application URL

Endowment Size

$4 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

4 sports

Sports

Alpine SkiingClimbing

Cross CountryNordic Skiing

School Mascot

Pika

School Notes

HMI is both an academic school and a wilderness programs provider. As a fully-accredited independent school, HMI brings high school juniors and seniors from all over the world to our campus in Leadville, Colorado for a single semester of place-based academics and wilderness expeditions.
In this environment, students can connect with their best self and become more engaged learners, community members, and citizens.
As a summer programs provider, HMI offers courses for middle and high school students with an emphasis on backpacking in the Colorado Rockies, intellectual inquiry, and experiential education-all to spark a desire for exploration and growth, and to set students on a path of self-discovery.
Finally, as a Gap Year provider, HMI leads high school graduates on three-month traveling courses through Patagonia and the American West where students pursue outdoor adventure while gaining experience in the field of environmental conservation.

HMI offeres programing for students ages 12-22 as well as wilderness medicine and avalanche safety courses for adults. HMI offeres the following programs:

TheHMISemesteris an academic and wilderness semester school for motivated college-boundjuniors.
TheHMISummer Termis a five-week interdisciplinary program that combines academic enrichment and wilderness expeditions in the ColoradoRockies.
TheApprentice Programis a professional residency for recent college graduates in traditional and outdooreducation.
TheHMIGapis a rock climbing and conservation semester for 18-22 year olds that travels throughout the American West andPatagonia.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does High Mountain Institute cost?

High Mountain Institute's tuition is approximately $38,800 for private students and $11,900 for summer students.

What is the acceptance rate of High Mountain Institute?

The acceptance rate of High Mountain Institute is 60%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. High Mountain Institute's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Colorado with low acceptance rates.

Does High Mountain Institute offer a summer program?

Yes, High Mountain Institute offers a summer program. Visit their for more information.

What sports does High Mountain Institute offer?

High Mountain Institute offers 4 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Climbing, Cross Country and Nordic Skiing.

What is High Mountain Institute's ranking?

High Mountain Institute ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Colorado for: Lowest average acceptance rates.

When is the application deadline for High Mountain Institute?

The application deadline for High Mountain Institute is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Colorado is $13,065 for elementary schools and $16,797 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Colorado is 84% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).