Highpoint in Lenox, MA is located in a rural setting on 24 beautiful acres, surrounded by land preserved by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
     Highpoint provides residential treatment for males age 11- 21 (11-18 on intake) in the treatment of behavioral problems including sexual abuse, self -abuse, emotional dis-regulation and conduct disorder. Most Highpoint students are diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, learning disabilities and / or mild mental retardation. Many Highpoint students have failed in other settings and require the structure, nurturance and high staff to student ratios that Highpoint provides.
     Treatment at Highpoint is based on a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model which accentuates restructuring of thinking distortions and maladaptive behavioral patterns. Students are expected to take responsibility for past negative behaviors and learn new ways of thinking and behaving.
     Clinical work at Highpoint is built around group work. Students participate in several types of groups: orientation group, the Primary Process group, Adventure Based Counseling group, Empathy group and psycho-educational groups such as: sex education, fire setting, anger management and Transition group.
     The Highpoint model also includes a behavior modification aspect which stresses pro-social skills, positive rewards for good behavior and natural consequences for misbehavior. Each student at Highpoint receives Individual counseling from a Masters level clinician and is assigned a clinical case manager.
     Highpoint students are placed in teams with peers that are similar in age, IQ and social skills. The program model is shaped accordingly to meet the differing needs and abilities of each team.
     One special program at Highpoint is the NYPUM program. NYPUM (National Youth Program Utilizing Minibikes), a Honda Motor corporation sponsored project, provides students with the ability to learn to ride a dirt bike and become an expert rider. NYPUM is a great motivator for students as good behavior is rewarded by more opportunities to ride the bikes. The positive effects that come with developing as a rider can include skill building and growth in confidence and self esteem.
     The Educational opportunities for Highpoint students include special education for grades one through twelve and vocational programming. The Highpoint School follows the Massachusetts MCAS curriculum. School personnel work with an individual student’s school systems to develop and follow an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
     Vocational programming enables hands-on learning experiences and the opportunity to acquire job skills. Some of the skill-set areas are: kitchen/food services, lands keeping and greenhouse, housekeeping and maintenance helper.
     The grounds at the Highpoint campus and a heated greenhouse enable students to work with and learn about plants. The greenhouse is an integral aspect of the vocational program at Highpoint.

Highpoint is a Staff Secure program with an average ratio of 1 staff to three students:

• 1-2 during the Academic shift
• 1-3 during the Residential shift
• 1-5 (awake staff) during the Overnight shift
  (The stated ratios are absolute minimum numbers).

Staff Secure programming is assisted by electronic equipment monitoring including video cameras, window alarms, over night check system and walkie – talkie radios.