Alpine Academy recently named Jason Stout as School Director for Alpine Academy. He joins Academic Director Angie Alvey in leading the academic program at both campuses, to provide an excellent educational experience for all students. Jason has been with Alpine Academy since 2007. He began his career alongside his wife as they worked as Family Teachers and lived in one of the residential homes; most recently he served as the Marketing Director and Admissions Coordinator. Jason’s contributions to the academic team were immediate and vital, beginning in March when adjustments were needed due to effects of COVID-19. Angie, Jason, and the entire Alpine faculty and staff have worked together to continue their students’ education uninterrupted through the pandemic. They have been persistent in creating unprecedented practices for the classrooms that are keeping students interested, advancing, and safe.

Another progressive move during the pandemic was hiring Ellen Smith to the Alpine Academic Team as a teacher of Criminal Justice. Ellen is a criminologist who settled in Utah after having been recruited by the Director of Protective Services as a top security leader for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City; her assignment as a Security Manager was for the Main Media and International Broadcast Center, requiring the highest security of all venues. She joins Alpine after 15 years as an Adjunct Faculty Member of Salt Lake Community College and Concurrent Enrollment Teacher in Tooele School District.

At Alpine Academy, Ellen teaches Criminal Justice, Careers in Criminal Justice, and Criminal Law. She stated, “There are more jobs available in the Criminal Justice system than in any other industry – from psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers to accountants, investigators and patrol officers. My focus is on teaching them about the law and about the vast opportunities in the Criminal Justice industry.” In the spring, some students will compete in Utah’s SkillsUSA competition (for more information about SkillsUSA click here). In recent years her local team took First Place five times in a row and qualified for the national competition in Louisville, KY. And last year, her team was ranked 10th in the nation for Crime Scene Investigation.

Alpine Academy is thrilled to bring this experience and these opportunities to the students of Alpine Academy, which will benefit them long after they leave.

About Alpine Academy

Alpine Academy Therapeutic Schools, state-licensed as residential treatment for adolescents, ages 12-18, includes two campuses – one for males and one for females. The 30+ acre, Utah campuses are just three miles apart and are only 30 minutes west of the Salt Lake City International Airport.  Both campuses serve students struggling with severe emotional disturbances. Alpine is a fully accredited school with dual-endorsed teachers. Therapy, with master’s level clinicians, is built into the school day. Alpine is a nationally certified Teaching-Family Model treatment program. Students live in homes with married couples who provide a family-like setting and serve as professional house parents. Through a strength-based, trauma-informed, individualized approach, students are taught healthy behaviors in a setting that best replicates family, school, and community life. Contact: Jill McIntyre @ 801-815-4683 or jmcintyre@alpineacademy.org.