how many student are generally in a high mountain institute course

What is the High Mountain Institute?

High Mountain Institute. The High Mountain Institute (HMI) is a non-profit educational organization located in Leadville, Colorado. Founded in 1995 by Molly and Christopher Barnes, HMI focuses on educating teenagers through interaction with the natural world of the American West and Patagonia, South America.

What is the gap semester at High Mountain Institute?

The High Mountain Institute offers gap semesters for high school graduates, ages 17-22. These programs take students on a three-month experiential and expeditionary semester through Patagonia and the American West. Students can earn college credit through Western State Colorado University and Colorado Mountain College.

What is HMI Semester?

The HMI Semester is the founding program of the High Mountain Institute and has operated continuously since fall 1998. The program is a single-semester boarding school experience for high school juniors and seniors that combines college preparatory academics with extended backpacking and backcountry skiing expeditions.

What do HMI students do?

In keeping with the school's philosophy of collective responsibility, students are expected to complete daily chores that include cooking, cleaning, and chopping wood. Students participate in daily morning exercise and train to run ten miles at the end of the semester. Students visit the nearby town of Leadville regularly and participate in volunteer trail maintenance on a local fourteener.

What classes are taught at HMI?

Class offerings include Literature of the Natural World, Natural Science, Spanish, United States History , Algebra 2 , Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. Most of courses taught at HMI have a place-based emphasis that encourages students to learn more about the intellectual, physical, and historical underpinnings of the Rocky Mountain region. The hallmark class of the HMI Semester is Practices and Principles: Ethics of the Natural World. This course combines backcountry "hard skills" instruction with contemporary environmental philosophy. According to the school's website, the most frequently attended colleges and universities for HMI alumni are Colorado College, Middlebury College, Bowdoin College, University of Colorado Boulder, St. Lawrence University. The HMI Semester uses standards-based grading to evaluate students during the program, but issues final transcripts with letter grades on the A-F scale.

Where is HMI located?

www .hminet .org. The High Mountain Institute (HMI) is a non-profit educational organization located in Leadville, Colorado. Founded in 1995 by Molly and Christopher Barnes, HMI focuses on educating teenagers through interaction with the natural world of the American West and Patagonia, South America. The school offers semester and summer programs ...

What is the hallmark class of HMI?

The hallmark class of the HMI Semester is Practices and Principles: Ethics of the Natural World.

When do students come to HMI?

Students come to HMI for life-changing experiences during a semester or summer of high school, or in the years immediately following for a semester of a gap year.

What is an HMI program?

All HMI programs combine exploration of the natural world with intellectual pursuits and intentional community. All HMI programs involve backpacking; some also involve rock climbing and backcountry skiing. No previous outdoor experience is necessary to participate; many of our students are new to these activities.

How many courses are required for independent study at HMI?

Students must enroll in at least five courses offered by HMI, and a full academic schedule includes six courses.

Is independent study a part of HMI?

Independent Studies are separate from HMI’ s academic course offering s therefore, the sending school, online provider, or private tutor is responsible for providing all course materials and for awarding a final grade (excepting special circumstances).

Does HMI offer community service?

Many students also participate in community service, particularly during the Fall Semester. If HMI does not offer a course that is necessary for a student’s academic trajectory at their sending school, students have the option to participate in an independent study.

Is HMI accredited?

HMI is accredited by the Association of Colorado Independent Schools, an affiliate of the National Association of Independent Schools. Our transcripts and credit are therefore accepted by public and private schools across the country.

Where do HMI students go backpacking?

Unique to HMI, students spend five weeks of the semester backpacking and skiing in the mountains of Colorado and the canyons of Utah with their teachers and classmates.

What is HMI semester?

The HMI Semester is selective; we accept high-achieving, academically-oriented students looking to make the most of their high school experience. Our students come from diverse backgrounds attend public and private schools across the United States and abroad.

What is community at HMI?

Community is more than just a buzz word at HMI. While many students are drawn to our school for our wilderness program–it is the members of the HMI community who leave the most lasting impact. Students and teachers at HMI interact in far more than in the traditional ways. HMI teachers are backpacking instructors, running partners, and mentors. Our alumni report extraordinarily close relationships with their teachers and peers—ones that helped them take risks, try new things, and learn to be the people they hoped to be. As they return to their sending high schools, our students seek to recreate the most positive elements of the HMI community. They seek out authentic relationships, work to reduce their dependence on technology and social media, and “rise above” negative adolescent social dynamics.

What is HMI in high school?

HMI is akin to a college study abroad program, but for high school students. Our students spend a full academic semester on our campus and return to their home schools invigorated about education, experienced in leadership, and more aware of the world around them.

Is HMI a wilderness school?

High school sophomores and juniors interested in spending a semester at HMI the following year. High-achieving students–HMI is not a wilderness therapy or rehabilitative school. No previous outdoor experience is required to participate in HMI–only an interest in spending extended periods of time ...

Applications for Fall '22 and Spring '23 are due February 15, 2022

The application deadline has passed. However, we will still accept late applications up until March 14. In order for an application to be considered in the primary round, all components must be in to HMI including the online application, two teacher recommendations, current transcript, and (if applicable) complete financial aid application.

Application essay questions (answer all three)

You may choose to answer one of the three essays with a video recording of yourself. If you choose this option, you still need to answer the other two essays in written format. Click here for more information about this option.

Admissions FAQ

At what age do students apply to the HMI Semester? Does the student drive the application process?

Non-Discriminatory Statement

HMI admits students and employs faculty and staff of any gender, race, color, religion, disability-status, sexual preference, national and ethnic origin, and accords them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students, faculty and staff of the school.

Why is HMI important?

Junior year is important and HMI plays a central role in each student’s college journey. A semester at HMI helps students not only prepare for and stand out during the college application process, but sets them up for success during their years at college and beyond. This opens in a new window.

Do HMI alumni meet with older HMI alumni?

Families are encouraged to use the breaks in our semester calendar to schedule college tours. Furthermore, HMI alumni often make arrangements to meet up with older HMI alumni—people for whom they feel enormous affinity—who attend those colleges.

Overview

History

HMI Semester

HMI Summer Term

HMI Gap Semesters

See also

External links