Oregon’s third recovery high school for teens with substance abuse and mental health disorders is expected to open in Salem in March.
Discovery Academy high school will be operated by the Willamette Education Service District , which provides educational services to 21 Oregon school districts in the Mid-Valley. The school will be located at 3710 Portland Road and have 10 students the first year, but is expected have more the second year.
The recovery schools are intentionally small to incorporate peer support, to enhance bonds between students, and to allow staff to provide social emotional learning opportunities and support recovery practices, according to the Oregon Department of Education.
“These specialized high schools offer a lifeline to students in grades 9-12 recovering from substance use, ensuring they receive not only a quality education but also comprehensive support necessary for their recovery journey,” the department said.
Oregon ranked 47th best among states in terms of prevalence of mental illness and lack of access to care, according to the 2024 Mental Health America report. Nearly 25% of youths have suffered from at least one major depressive episode and almost 45% went untreated.