Our mission at Emerald School of Excellence is clear. We empower students helping them achieve academic success while fostering a lifestyle for lasting recovery is our passion. This passion extends far beyond our campus. We believe in the power of the recovery high school model. We know it works and we work tirelessly to help it flourish nationwide. Our leaders are passionately sharing our model of success, not just locally, but on a national stage. This article highlights their contributions and shows how we are actively helping recovery high schools grow.
Our commitment to the recovery high school community is unwavering. Mary Ferreri, Emerald School’s Founder & CEO, holds a key role on the Association of Recovery Schools (ARS) board. She helps shape national standards for recovery schools and guides their direction. The ARS board reaches out to recovery high schools across the country serving as a mentor for the entire recovery high school movement. This mentorship covers important areas including accreditation, starting new schools, and participating in national research.
The Association of Recovery High Schools (ARS) plays a crucial role in the broader community. It provides technical assistance. This happens through state grants and funding. This offering allows schools to request help, get coaching, and information from ARS leaders. We are proud to provide guidance for emerging schools by helping to build programs, use best-practices based on extensive research, and provides accreditation for existing schools. Mary and our COO, Gabby Wohlford, also work closely with leading researchers to participate in national research. All of this work is about helping recovery high schools grow.
As a voting board member of ARS, Mary has a seat at the table. She can make significant change. She collaborates with those making decisions. We believe this is a tremendous benefit getting to share our firsthand knowledge helping other schools to grow. This active participation ensures the national model is strong. It is effective and is always evolving.
Our work to help recovery high schools grow is not just about leadership; it’s about lived experience. This mission came to life in a powerful way at the recent Association of Recovery Schools National Conference in New Orleans. Emerald was represented by Mary along with our COO, Gabby Wohlford, and our recovery support team members including Stephanie Behuniak, Mac Harrison, and Cooper Miller.
The true heart of the trip was Mac and Cooper’s presentation. They stood before a room full of esteemed professionals and school leaders and spoke not just as staff, but as Emerald alumni who have personally walked the path to recovery. Their presentation, “The Importance of Lived Experience: A Recovery High School Alumni Experience,” was met with an incredible response. They shared their personal stories and discussed the research on how lived experience strengthens empathy and rapport. It was a raw, honest, and powerful moment. Their talk was one of only two at the conference led by alumni who are now on staff.
This presentation offered a vital, firsthand perspective that helped other schools deepen their understanding of the student experience. It was a perfect example of our commitment to helping recovery high schools grow from the ground up, with the voices of those who know the journey best.
Emerald School of Excellence is more than a school. It is a beacon of hope and a model for success. We are deeply proud of our team for their involvement in the recovery high school movement. Their work goes above and beyond. They are helping to build a national network of support. Their efforts are directly helping recovery high schools grow. This is an investment in the future of countless young lives.
Our success serves as a blueprint for others. We will continue to share our knowledge. We will continue to provide support. Our commitment to the entire recovery school movement is strong. We believe that together, we can help more students find a path to a brighter future. We can empower them. We can give them the tools to thrive. We invite you to be part of this mission.
Take the first step and see how Emerald School of Excellence can provide your struggling teen with the support they need to thrive academically. Schedule a personalized tour today and discover the transformative environment that has helped so many students find hope, healing, and success.
