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First recovery high school in state to open in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The first recovery high school in North Carolina is set to open its doors in Charlotte to students on Sept. 3.

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"We're here to educate and support teens struggling with substance use disorders," said Mary Ferreri, who is the executive director of the Emerald School of Excellence. "If they're coming out of a treatment residential support and they're going back into the same environment where they're finding their triggers, dealers, people they used to use with, it would be really difficult to remain sober."

Ferreri said research has shown that someone going back to the same environment has a 70% relapse rate, whereas that number is 30% if they go to a recovery high school.

"It’s really the unique balance of educators, support staff and that family feel, small class sizes, peer support and really just trying to have students love learning again in a very different way it," Ferreri said.

The program provides support, which includes the family in the process.

There are also meetings with students’ families every month, exercise sessions, art programs and a normal high school education.

"High school, as you can imagine, is difficult as it is and throwing the substance use piece in that makes it almost impossible," said Christopher Love, who is a peer support staff member. "What’s cool is we support both of those things here."

Love has a background in substance use counseling, which means there will be support for students’ mental and emotional well-being.

The counselor is familiar with their journeys.

"I'm a person thriving in long-term recovery myself,” Love said. “I was introduced into recovery when I was 19 and I’m 25 now, so I’ve really taken this as a passion to help others."

They have been leasing space at Memorial United Methodist Church on Central Avenue near Eastway Drive.

They can take in up to 10 students in the first year, and staff said they have room to grow. There is monthly tuition for the year-round school, but scholarships are available.

Ferreri said the community has really embraced the school and private donations have made this possible.