Item 124, Paragraph UU of the 2024–2026 Appropriation Act provided state general funds to support the establishment of year-round recovery high schools serving students in the early stages of recovery from substance use disorder. Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), as the designated school division for Superintendent’s Region 4, was awarded $500,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 and $250,000 in FY 2026 to plan and implement a Recovery High School program.

Following an intentional planning and development period, LCPS successfully transitioned from planning to implementation and opened the R.I.S.E. Academy (Recovery, Inspiration, Strength, Empowerment) for the 2025–2026 school year. The inaugural year represented a significant milestone for LCPS and the region, providing students in recovery with an educational environment specifically designed to support academic achievement, sustained recovery, social-emotional well-being, and successful transition toward graduation and, when appropriate, reintegration into a traditional school setting.

During its first year, the R.I.S.E. Academy served 21 students and demonstrated encouraging progress in student engagement, academic achievement, relationships, and access to recovery supports. The program also expanded its network of community partnerships, strengthening the continuum of services available to students and families. The first year of implementation provided an important foundation for continued program refinement, outcome measurement, and long-term sustainability.