High Mountain Institute

High Mountain Institute is a small boarding school in Leadville, Colorado — one of the highest towns in the United States, sitting above 10,000 feet. The school serves high school students, with enrollment staying well under 100. That small scale shapes everything about working there.

Teaching at High Mountain Institute means combining academic instruction with time in the field. The school runs wilderness expeditions as a core part of its program, not an add-on. Faculty lead students through backcountry travel and seminar discussions alike. Spanish language instruction is part of the curriculum. The school's size also allows for real interdisciplinary work between departments — something larger schools rarely make room for.

Compensation and benefits are worth asking about directly. The school's finances are solid: as of 2023, High Mountain Institute held roughly $20.6 million in net assets against annual revenue near $6.5 million. Fundraising grew close to 10 percent that same year. For a school this small, those numbers suggest a healthy reserve and room to invest in faculty.

Because the school is remote and tight-knit, staff work closely with students across many settings — classrooms, dorms, and backcountry routes. Open roles typically include teaching faculty, expedition leaders, residential life staff, and administrative positions. Hiring happens most often ahead of each academic year.

Candidates who do well here bring both subject expertise and comfort with high-altitude outdoor environments. Colorado's mountains are not a backdrop — they are part of the job.