Finding the right school for a teenager struggling with mental health or substance use can feel overwhelming. Families are often balancing concerns about academics, mental health, sobriety, and long-term success—all while navigating the enrollment process.
At Emerald School of Excellence, we understand that choosing a recovery high school is a significant decision. That’s why we’ve created a clear, supportive admissions process designed to help families determine whether Emerald is the right fit for their teen. Our goal is simple: to provide every student with the opportunity to succeed academically while building a strong foundation for lasting recovery.
Emerald School of Excellence serves students in grades 9–12 who are recovering from a substance use disorder and/or mental health challenge. Our students benefit from a supportive, recovery-focused environment that combines accredited academics with recovery support services, peer connection, and individualized guidance.
To be eligible for enrollment, students should:
If your teen has fewer than 30 days of sobriety, we encourage you to contact our admissions team. We can discuss available resources and help determine the best next steps for your family to help your student start their recovery journey.
Every family’s journey begins with a conversation.
The first step in the enrollment process is scheduling a personalized campus tour and interview. During your visit, you and your teen will:
This meeting helps both your family and our team determine whether Emerald is the right environment for your student’s success.
Following the tour, families will be invited to submit an application for admission.
During this phase, our admissions team may request/review:
These materials allow us to better understand your teen’s academic background and recovery needs so we can create an individualized plan for success. Admissions decisions are made thoughtfully to ensure that each student will benefit from and contribute to our recovery community.
At this time, we also recommend applying to our financial aid portal and any outside grants you plan to use.
Once accepted, families work closely with our staff to complete enrollment and prepare for the student’s first day.
This process includes:
Our team remains available throughout the process to answer questions and provide guidance every step of the way.
At Emerald School of Excellence, we believe that financial barriers should never prevent a student from accessing the support they need.
As a private, nonprofit recovery high school, tuition helps fund our specialized educational and recovery services, including small class sizes, individualized academic support, recovery coaching, counseling, and a low student-to-staff ratio. However, we are committed to making our program accessible to families from a wide range of financial backgrounds.
Emerald partners with Blackbaud Financial Aid Management to provide a confidential and objective financial aid assessment process. Families can apply for tuition assistance based on demonstrated financial need.
Our commitment is clear: we strive to ensure that no deserving student is turned away due to financial circumstances.
Many families are surprised to learn that state-funded scholarship programs may help offset the cost of private school tuition.
The North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship helps eligible K–12 students attend participating private schools. Award amounts vary based on household income and family circumstances.
Families interested in Emerald School should explore whether they qualify for this program, as it can significantly reduce out-of-pocket tuition expenses.
Students with qualifying disabilities may be eligible for the ESA+ Program.
ESA+ provides funding that can be used toward:
Students must have qualifying documentation and meet program eligibility requirements. Many families find that ESA+ funding, combined with Emerald’s financial aid program, makes recovery-focused education much more affordable.
In many cases, families may be able to combine:
Our admissions team can help families understand available options and identify resources that may reduce the financial burden of enrollment.
Recovery is about more than staying sober—it’s about building a future.
At Emerald School of Excellence, students receive the academic instruction, recovery support, and sense of belonging they need to thrive. Our students are surrounded by peers who understand their experiences, educators who believe in their potential, and a community dedicated to helping them succeed.
For many families, enrolling at Emerald represents a turning point—a chance to rebuild confidence, strengthen recovery, and rediscover hope.
If you’re exploring educational options for a teen in recovery, we invite you to learn more about Emerald School of Excellence.
Schedule a tour, meet our team, and discover how a recovery high school can help your teen thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
Your family’s journey toward healing, growth, and success can begin today.
