One of the largest worries that I had was if my child completed a program how would he survive afterward. Teens are not like adults who can stay away from the people and places that they used to be around to drink and drug. Often kids obtain and use with the kids they attend school with so how do you take a child in recovery and place them back into the same environment and expect them to stay clean? After 2 years of research and hearing about the recovery high school in Michigan I stumbled upon the information that in the state of Massachusetts we have 3 recovery high schools. I was amazed, excited, and hopeful.
I have talked with the North Shore Recovery High School several times and was impressed with the description of their program. A previous counselor of my son's toured NSRHS to learn first hand about their programs. She was very spoke very highly of the work that they are doing and the services that they provide.
The one obstacle I found is if you do not live close to one of these schools how do you get your child there each day? They provide transportation to 19 surrounding districts so if you are not in one of these districts you need to arrange transportation yourself. The good thing is they have after school programs so kids can stay at the school until late afternoon. This is great because the most vulnerable time is from 3-6 each day.
Now I just keep my fingers crossed that a 4th school will open some day in my area of the state.
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William J. Ostiguy High School
19 Temple Place
Boston, MA 02111
617-348-6070
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North Shore Recovery High School
502 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
978-922-3305
www.nsedu.org
then click on their link within this page
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Springfield Recovery High School
334 Franklin Street
Springfield, MA 01104
413-797-6998
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Admission requirements:
Must complete a residential program and be committed to staying sober
Funding:
Schools are funded by the Department of Public Health. Tuition is paid for by your town just like school choice or charter programs. You must obtain town approval.
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After dropping out of high school the desire for an adolescent to return is not very strong. Another alternative method to receive their diploma is a program called
Job Corps. Job Corps is a no cost education and vocational training program. It is for the ages of 16-24. For more info call them at 800-733-5627.
Locations:
Grafton, MA 508-887-7300
Devens, MA 978-784-2600
Chicopee, MA 413-593-5731
www.jobcorps.gov
