A woman presenting a speech for a panel regarding Discovery High School. Image via Flickr, California National Guard, CC BY 2.0
Discovery Academy, the third recovery high school in Oregon, opens in the spring of 2025 in Salem at 3710 Portland Road. In 2023, Oregon lawmakers approved House Bill 2767, which established requirements for approving the schools and providing funding. Recovery high schools are designed to support teens who are in recovery from substance abuse and help them get on track to earn their diplomas. They provide regular high school classes, recovery resources and a supportive community. Along with regular courses, they offer various electives and after-school activities.
“What sets them apart is that they’re specifically designed for students who are recovering from substance use disorder and often have other mental health disorders. The long game for these schools goes beyond graduation; it’s a life of sobriety and support,
Natalie Pate said in an Oregon Public Broadcasting, (OPB), article.
Recovery high schools are important because Oregon has the third-highest rate of adolescent substance use disorder in the United States. Discovery Academy focuses on teens who choose recovery, giving them a community that helps them strive toward sobriety. They only have thirty spots available for students. Recovery high schools typically have small class sizes to encourage peer support and strengthen bonds between students.
“The staff of recovery high schools most often includes administrative staff, teachers, substance misuse counselors, and mental health professionals that each play a critical role in supporting their students. Additionally, recovery high schools provide support for families learning how to live with, and provide support for, their teens entering into the recovery lifestyle.
The Association of Recovery Schools , (ARS), said.
The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, (NCDAS), reports that teens in Oregon are nearly 38 percent more likely to have used drugs in the past month than the average teen in the United States. By 2029, a total of nine recovery high schools will be in operation. These schools will play an important role in bringing down the number of teens who use drugs.
