This paper presents an educational program for seriously emotionally disturbed students at the Yellowstone Ranch, a residential treatment facility and school focusing on the enhancement of each student's self esteem. Located in Montana, which in 1965 created a special school district to serve the needs of special needs children, the school has as its educational goals (1) to teach school survival skills and capacities so that each student can succeed in the least restrictive educational setting and (2) to teach life survival skills, attitudes, values, and capacities. During the past 2 years (1978-80) the school mainstreamed 50 students with only two placement failures. Each of the eight self contained classrooms are arranged into one of four levels along a continuum from more to less restrictive. Treatment at both the ranch and school are closely coordinated and synergistic teamwork is seen as the key to the children's success. The program provides a 30 day assessment period; an individualized curriculum with social/emotional, academic, vocational, and physical education components, a nongraded teaching strategy; data based decision making; flexibility in both scheduling and educational grouping; daily evaluation of student performance; a staff development component; an achievement motivation system; a tutor component; and an outreach component. (PHR)