High school students in Central Virginia recovering from alcohol and substance abuse now have a school designed to meet their academic, emotional and social support needs as they work toward earning a diploma.

The Chesterfield Recovery Academy, housed at the Career and Technical Center on Hull Street, is the first high school program for students recovering from substance abuse to be established in Virginia.

Operating as part of the Chesterfield County School System, the pilot program began enrolling students Aug. 22 and classes began Sept. 8. To qualify, students must have completed a treatment program to address their addiction and be a student attending school in one of 15 divisions of Region 1.

“Students must have completed some sort of treatment program and be 30 days sober, whether that is Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, a residential program or a therapist,” said Justin Savoy, coordinator of the school. Students may then refer themselves or be referred by a parent or agency.

Mr. Savoy said students begin with a recovery plan that includes academic goals. They experience a typical school day, with individual and group therapy sessions, depending upon need and treatment plan. The school has rolling admissions and the duration for enrollment is one year. However, if students need longer, or recover more quickly, Mr. Savoy said, they can adjust their time in the program so they can return to the home high school district recovered and stable.

“The ultimate goal,” he said, “is to reintroduce the student to school in their home division.”

Parents are encouraged to drop off and pick up students, but if they do not have transportation, arrangements will be made to get the student to and from school each day.

“It’s an unfortunate truth that there is a need for this program in Central Virginia, and CCPS is honored and proud to provide a place where students in recovery don’t have to choose between school or sobriety,” said Dot Heffron, Chesterfield County

School Board member and vice chair of the Clover Hill District. “Locating the regional Recovery Academy in Chesterfield makes sense because of our proximity to several school division regional partners.”

Courses available to students include English, world language, math, PE/health, science, pathway/internship, social studies, unified arts and computer science. The enrollment goal for this year is 25 students, with space to expand to as many as 50 students.

“A successful outcome for this program will be engaged students who continue to make gains toward their educational goals while they do the difficult and important work of recovery from substance use disorder,” Ms. Heffron said.

To be considered for enrollment, students should complete the interest form at mychesterfieldschools.com/chesterfield-recovery-academy/.