A new high school in Northern Virginia is opening its doors this week—not just to teach, but to heal. The Recovery, Inspiration, Strength and Empowerment Academy, or RISE Academy, sits within The North Star School building in Leesburg and offers students recovering from substance use disorders a chance to stay on track academically while focusing on their well-being.
Born from a vision to meet students where they are, RISE Academy is the first program of its kind in Northern Virginia. It begins this year with 20 students and a small but dedicated team of teachers and support staff who believe that recovery and education can go hand in hand.
Many of the students enrolling have faced disruptions in their schooling while receiving treatment. At RISE, they can rebuild not just their transcripts, but their confidence—supported by educators trained to meet their unique needs. Each student has a medical provider, and transportation is provided to ensure access and consistency.
Principal Fredericka Mack says the small class sizes allow teachers to work closely together and deeply connect with students. For some, RISE will be a temporary stop before returning to their home schools; for others, it will be where they graduate—stronger, steadier, and ready for what comes next.
The hope, Mack says, is simple but profound: to change the course of young lives, one day and one student at a time.