Emerald School of Excellence is honored to announce that we are a recipient of funding from the State of North Carolina through the Opioid Abatement Fund as part of the state budget finalized on July 7, 2026.
This investment represents a meaningful step forward in expanding access to recovery-focused education for adolescents and families across our state. On behalf of our students, families, staff, alumni, and supporters, we are deeply grateful to the North Carolina General Assembly, state leaders, and all those who recognized the importance of recovery high schools in the continuum of care for young people.
Emerald School of Excellence provides a safe, sober, and supportive learning environment for teens working toward both academic success and lasting recovery from past substance use or mental health struggles. This new state funding will help strengthen and expand access to the services that make recovery high schools effective, including:
For many families, the cost of specialized recovery education can be a significant barrier. Support from the North Carolina Opioid Abatement Fund helps ensure that more students can receive the structure, accountability, and community they need to thrive.
The inclusion of recovery high school funding in the state budget reflects a growing understanding that adolescents in recovery need more than treatment alone. They also need a school environment that supports sobriety, mental health, belonging, and academic achievement.
Emerald School of Excellence has served hundreds of students and families since opening in 2019, and we have seen firsthand how recovery-centered education can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. This state investment helps strengthen that work and expands the reach of recovery support for teens across North Carolina.
Research consistently shows that adolescents in recovery benefit from environments that reinforce healthy choices, positive peer relationships, and consistent support. Recovery high schools provide students with the opportunity to continue their education while building the skills and community necessary for long-term recovery.
At Emerald School of Excellence, students are surrounded by peers and adults who understand the challenges of recovery and believe deeply in every student’s potential. This funding will help us continue creating a place where young people can recover, reconnect, and succeed.
We share this milestone with every family, donor, partner, volunteer, and advocate who has supported Emerald School of Excellence. Your belief in recovery-centered education has helped make this moment possible.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to serving adolescents and families with compassion, accountability, and hope. Together, we are building a stronger future for young people in recovery throughout North Carolina.
