A high school built for teens coming back from treatment.
Emerald School of Excellence, on Central Avenue in Charlotte, is a high school for teenagers who are working on two things at once: an education and recovery from mental health or substance use challenges.
The school opened in 2019 as what the school describes as the first recovery high school in North Carolina. It grew out of a gap many families knew too well. Teens returning from treatment often struggled to reintegrate into a traditional high school without ongoing support. Emerald began with two students and one dedicated teacher.
Small classes, whole students
Class sizes stay small, learning plans are personalized and support is holistic. A student's day blends academics with time for emotional health, spiritual grounding and physical wellness, all inside a nurturing and understanding environment.
The school states its mission plainly: to provide quality education in a recovery-friendly environment to adolescents with mental health or substance use challenges. Its stated values are authenticity, inclusivity, community and altruism, and they guide classroom discussions and peer support groups alike. The aim, the school says, is a community where students build trust, cultivate courage and develop resilience for life after high school.
Who it serves and how to enroll
Emerald serves high school students ages 13 to 21, and students come from across North and South Carolina. Enrollment starts with a tour and an interview, so students and parents can see the environment for themselves. The school says no one is turned away for lack of ability to pay; tuition assistance and scholarships help make the program accessible. Families can learn more or begin enrollment through the school's website or its admissions team.
How the community helps
The school leans on community support. Through the year it hosts events such as the Emerald Gala and an annual golf tournament, which celebrate student achievements and raise funds. Donations go to tuition assistance, classroom resources and the programs that keep students engaged in both school and recovery. Volunteers, sponsors and community partners, whether a local business, an educator or a neighbor, all have a place.
For students looking for a second chance to learn and move forward with confidence, Emerald offers more than a diploma. It offers a community.
Originally written for the magazine by Gabby Wohlford.
This story appears in the May 2026 issue of Stroll Providence.