The curriculum emphasizes rigorous college preparatory academics, exposure to visual and performing arts, educational experience in the wilderness, campus service crews, and required athletics.

In addition to Hinton, the Holdens drew strongly upon the ideas of Kurt Hahn and John Dewey.

The school's location in western Colorado facilitated experimentation as well as necessitating practical adaptation of the ideas of its eastern U.S and European-based influences.

Today the barn serves as a hub of campus, hosting all-school meeting, theater productions, student music performances, and events for the larger town community.

[7][8] In late 2005, the board of trustees selected English faculty member and Dean of Students Jeff Leahy as the school's new Headmaster.