Philosophy
We believe in encouraging and supporting student change through the active use of consequences for appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. Our system supplies our students with immediate consequences and structure based on the student’s accomplishments or lack thereof. We believe all students are potential successes if given the appropriate opportunity. Our goal is to provide as many opportunities as possible.

Profile
High Top is organized and staffed for children and adolescents ages 10-14 who are experiencing difficulties with educational, social, family, emotional, behavioral, or substance abuse issues. These students have average or (above average) abilities which have not been fully realized. Students participate in outdoor ranch work and camping activities which require a good measure of health.

Therapy
High Top is a fully-staffed residential program developed to serve adolescents and their families with consistent therapeutic interventions. Our therapy program includes access to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, drug and alcohol treatment and lots of people with good common sense. We have individual therapy and group therapy provided by highly trained people.

Some of the goals to be accomplished are to learn self-respect, respect for others, to learn self-discipline along with delayed gratification, to gain maturity of emotions and maturity of behavior. High Top has a strong reputation for helping it’s students gain insight into their own destructive behaviors and experience deep and lasting change.

Education
We believe that if students are provided with a caring atmosphere, quality instruction, and the opportunity to experience success often, they will enjoy and accept responsibility for their own learning.

Our program is year-round, and students may enroll at any time on an individual basis. Our classes are based on mastery of course objectives rather than “seat time”, therefore we do not have quarters or semesters.

Since credit is awarded when students master course objectives, many of our students make up for “lost time” due to lack of performance in previous educational settings. Grades are based on mastery of course objectives—80% for a “B” and 90% for an “A”. Anything less is an incomplete and students are tutored until they have learned the material.

Our classes are small,  8-10 students, and are taught by caring teachers who model values of honesty, integrity, trust, self esteem, concern for others, etc. We also have a full time tutor which provides one-on-one help when needed.

Course offerings include all those required for most state’s Elementary and High school graduation. We have computers available for student use, plus outdoor modules such as horsemanship and a woodworking/craft shop. We also have many other experiential learning activities like ranch work, community service, camping, and visits to our many national parks. Students are immersed in educational activities from early morning to well beyond the evening meal.

Facilities
Facilities at the ranch include a central lodge, kitchen/dining area and a small café, shop areas (wood shop and craft area, auto shop), classrooms, corral areas, laundry, office and therapy building, and bedroom areas. We also have a large field for games and sports a small basketball court, swing set, a fish pond full of trout with a small paddle boat on it, and lots of land surrounding the buildings.
(picture of central lodge) For more pictures of facilities, click here.

Clothing list

• 6 pair of blue jeans that fit correctly (no baggy fit, flares or wide legged, white washed or distressed allowed).
  
• 1-2 pair of shorts.
  
• 5-10 short sleeve T-shirts (no buttons or ribbed material).
  
• 2-4 long sleeve T-shirts (no buttons or ribbed material)
  
• 2-4 crew neck or hooded sweatshirts.
  
• 1 light jacket and 1 heavy coat.
  
• 8-10 pair of underwear.
  
• 8-10 pair of socks
  
• 1 pair of pajamas or sweat pants and shirt to sleep in.
  
• 1 swimsuit.
  
• 1 pair of tennis shoes.
  
• 1 pair of hiking boots. (optional)
  
• 1 set of twin sheets with pillow case.
  
• 1 blanket, quilt or comforter.
  
• 4 towels & 2 wash cloths.

NO JEWELRY ALLOWED.

 Items not allowed

• No gang, cigarette, alcohol, or rock band symbols on clothing.
  
• Medicines or over the counter aspirin, Tylenol, Inhalers, sprays, etc.
  
• Nothing aerosol or with alcohol.
  
• Nothing expensive or of sentimental value.
  
• No earrings.
  
• No CD’s, walkmans, tapes, skater magazines, “R” rated movies, (clock radios are ok).
  
• No razors
  
• No coffee, tea, gum, nuts with shells.
  
• No knives or weapons. 

High Top Ranch School
P.O. Box 440029
Koosharem, Utah 84744
Ranch Phone: (435) 638-7411
Additional Phone #’s: 
Ell Sorenson (435) 638-7474
Chad Sorenson (435) 638-1180
Fax: (435) 638-7511