Higher Ground

Scott Barringer is brought to Mount Horizon, a school for troubled teens, against his will, while his new group, the Cliffhangers, make their way back from an eventful 10 day quest in the woods. Meanwhile, Peter Scarbrow, the administrator of Mount Horizon, learns that the school is in financial trouble and is facing foreclosure by the bank. "We are all in the gutter, but some of us look at the stars." — Oscar Wilde

Peter's old flame, Sophie, and ex-wife, Chloe, both show up for a visit. Juliette makes a play for Scott. Shelby fights her demons as the Cliffhangers help search for a lost girl. "The secret of secrets is inside me again." — Anna Akhmatova

Peter faces his estranged dad and his troubled past life in New York City to try and save Mount Horizon from foreclosure. Augie spirals over upcoming school placement tests. "If we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future." — Winston Churchill

Peter drags the Cliffhangers into the X-Challenge Race when he makes a bet against the Lawrence Hastings Prep School coach. Scott refuses to be a team player, alienating him from the rest of the Cliffhangers. "All are needed by each one; Nothing is fair or good alone." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

A search and rescue mission is mounted to find Juliette who, after falling into an uncharted cave containing Native American bones, faces her inner demons. "In the silence of our woods your children will not be alone." — Chief Seattle

Hannah's departure and Kat's impending graduation spark old emotions and rebellion. Peter assigns the Cliffhangers a parenting project taking care of eggs. Sophie returns from Nairobi. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." — Eleanor Roosevelt

Auggie visits home for the first time since coming to Horizon, and his past tries to grab hold. Meanwhile, potential investors visit the school, and Sophie steps back from her relationship with Peter. "It is easier to fight for principles than to live up to them." — Alfred Adler

As a thunderstorm causes the electricity to fail and the school to flood; passions run high and Shelby's attempt to seduce Scott causes him to relive unpleasant memories. "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." — Oscar Wilde

The Cliffhangers are shaken when a new student overdoses. Frank takes the boys on a trek to the site of his son's death 22 years earlier, while Peter and the girls attempt to bake a birthday cake for Hannah. "Never deprive someone of hope; It might be all they have." — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Scott runs from Horizon when his parents come to visit, trying to escape confronting his stepmother. Meanwhile, Shelby bonds with a horse that's been abused and abandoned. "Tell me who admires you and loves you, and I will tell you who you are." — C.A. Sainte-Beuve

Ezra's parents come for a surprising visit with disastrous consequences. Juliette spirals when she learns that her mother is getting married again, but she's not invited. "False face must hide what false heart doth know." — William Shakespeare

The Cliffhangers deal with the fallout of Juliette & Augie's run and Ezra's overdose. Augie does his best to keep Juliette safe on the streets while evading Peter and Roger's search. "Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness." — James Thurber

When a tough father brings his troubled son, David, to the school, the teen antagonizes the other students while his father treks through bear country with Peter. "Somewhere in the world your Father is lost and needs you but you are far away." — William Stafford

Chloe's back to film a promotional video for Mount Horizon. Peter, Sophie, and the Cliffhangers clash with the actors and director hired to portray them. Meanwhile, Scott finally tells his story to Child Protective Services. "From here there is no place that does not see you. You must change your life." — Rainer Maria Rilke

A journalist goes undercover as a student to expose the school as a dangerous scam. The Cliffhangers are not fooled by her antics and intrusive questions and feed her the wild stories that she wants to hear. Shelby's abusive past finally comes to the surface when she gets some news from home. "I'm giving you a longing look ... Everyday I write the book." — Elvis Costello

As an unexpected winter storm moves in, the Cliffhangers' solo treks are interrupted and Shelby becomes lost. Peter's father shows up for a surprise visit. Peter faces personal tragedy. "The childhood shows the man, as morning shows the day." — John Milton

Daisy returns home with Sophie and Shelby for her mother's funeral and must face her abusive, drunken father. Meanwhile, the Cliffhangers read and identify with Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". "I cherished hope, it is true, but it vanished when my person reflected . . ." — Mary Shelley

Peter's brother arrives to contest their father's will; Sophie undergoes a medical procedure to deal with her health issues. Meanwhile, Shelby's mother pulls her out of Horizon to take care of her ailing, formerly abusive stepfather and Ezra steals the plot of "Romeo & Juliet" for his new play. "You don't live in a world all alone. Your brother is here too." — Albert Schweitzer

Shelby deals with the realities of returning home and discovers a devastating revelation concerning her younger sister. The Cliffhangers worry about Shelby, but Peter doesn't have the power to bring her back to Horizon. "Why climb Mount Everest? Because it's there." — George Mallory

Dealing with deadlines, a cold, and a relapse, Peter faces the consequences of mixing medications. Scott's biological mother visits. Horizon receives an unexpected visitor. "Tragedies are about the depths that call up to certain men and insist that they descend." — Robert Bly

"Parents' Week" at Horizon causes problems for several of the Cliffhangers and Scott lies to his father about his past. Meanwhile, Shelby struggles when she finds out her younger sister has run away from home. "If we really want to live, we'd better start at once to try." — Wystan Hugh Auden

Scott's father decides it is time for Scott to come home, but Scott fights his decision after reconsidering his initial enthusiasm. Katherine convinces Peter and Sophie to hold a MORP, a "backwards prom". Sophie finally confides in Peter of her personal heartache. "The child shall become father to the man." — William Wordsworth