Although praised for its themes and performances (particularly Christensen's) and well-rated, the series was cancelled after its first season due to the sale of its broadcast network the following year.
The series focuses on one group of teens, the "Cliffhangers," who, with the aid of school counselors and each other, navigate adolescence as they learn to overcome their fears and face their inner demons.
Providing them with not only a standard high school education, but also a rigorous schedule of outdoor activities, counseling, and the tools they need in the aftermath of their abuse, the students work towards gaining confidence to face their personal struggles.
While navigating demanding physical challenges, friendships, and romantic entanglements, the students (and some teachers) find Mount Horizon's world much safer than their turbulent home lives have been.
Afraid of what his father's reaction might be if the abuse was revealed, Scott immersed himself in drugs and his life fell into a downward spiral.
The daughter of a neglectful and indifferent mother and sexually abusive step-father, Shelby began running away from home at the age of 15.
Even though she was always aware of her adoption, a sense of alienation set in as she grew older, and Katherine felt she didn't fit in or belong.
The accidental death of Katherine's sister, Shannon, the biological daughter of her adoptive parents, traumatized her and contributed to her lapse into depression.
Auggie struggles with self-confidence, regularly believing himself to be stupid and a lost cause, and must begin to understand that his educational difficulties do not have to define who he is.
Hiding her depression behind a façade of smiles forced upon her by her emotionally abusive and distant mother, Juliette is often referred to as "Princess" and "Queenie" by Shelby, which is derived from her appearance and behavior, and "Twig" by the rest of the Cliffhangers, due to her weight.
Unable to achieve the standards set by her mother, nor control any other aspect of her life, Juliette chose physically destructive measures to get the love and attention she craved.
After she was sent to the hospital emergency room twice, where she had tubes forced down her throat as a result of anorexia, bulimia and abusing laxatives, Juliette was brought to Mount Horizon.
Although witty and charming, Ezra struggles with his self-confidence and emotional stability in the shadow his parents' acrimony and divorce cast upon him.
The only child of wealthy alcoholics, Daisy suffered from years of emotional abuse in her home and believed herself to be an inconvenience to her parents' addiction.
Insightful and harshly honest, Daisy carefully hides her own inner pain, despair and rage behind arrogance and a morbid sense of humor.
To keep up with the incredible physical demands of the business after a success at one of the biggest brokerages on Wall Street, at 28 years old he turned to cocaine and then to heroin.
Recovering at a Washington hospital after another near-fatal overdose, he met Frank, whose counsel and philosophy struck a chord with Peter.
[4][5] By November, the film crew had only 5–6 hours of daylight each day[citation needed], shifting much of the dramatic action indoors during the middle episodes.
Fox Family and Lions Gate Films took advantage of tax incentive programs offered by the Canadian and British Columbia governments to reduce costs.
On May 4, 2000, producers received word that Hayden Christensen had been cast in the then-upcoming Star Wars film, Attack of the Clones (Lucasfilm made the official announcement on May 7).
[11] Ramin Zahed from Variety gives Higher Ground a positive review, praising its engaging drama and appealing cast.
He compares the show to Dawson’s Creek, highlighting emotionally charged storytelling as young characters navigate personal struggles.
The picturesque wilderness school setting adds a striking backdrop that enhances the narrative, balancing serious themes with the cast's charisma.
He calls the storytelling "creaky and obvious," and criticizes the stereotypical portrayal of an instructor who struggles with outdoor activities, suggesting that such tropes diminish the drama's impact.
He argues that Higher Ground relies too much on "pretty yet moody" actors, implying that the series prioritizes style over substance, with the young cast appearing more suited for magazine covers than for delivering nuanced performances.