Meet Emerald School of Excellence
Where can parents turn when substance use or mental health struggles have interrupted their child's education? What environments exist to help teenagers continue learning and building their futures while they focus on recovery?
Meet Emerald School of Excellence
Emerald School of Excellence is a private high school in Charlotte (Central Avenue) that offers a high-quality education in a supportive, recovery-focused environment for teens overcoming substance use disorder and mental health challenges.. The school offers a supportive community that understands the journey of recovery, focuses on personalized learning and creates a safe space for students to be themselves while pursuing their academic and personal goals.
Though the need for recovery-focused learning environments is growing for today's teenagers, Emerald School is one of only eight accredited high schools in America, and the first in North Carolina. While working as a teacher, Founder Mary Ferreri noticed the need for in-school support for adolescents with substance use and mental health struggles - and the lack of available resources. This is why she set out to establish Emerald in 2017 and opened its doors in 2019.
Through small class sizes, individualized instruction, daily peer support groups, onsite recovery support, and drug screening, Emerald provides a safe space and accountability to students that helps them succeed in their recovery and in the classroom. Emerald's 28 alumni have been accepted to universities across the country including UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, Clemson, and Berklee College of Music.
“I am so unbelievably grateful for having Emerald as an option for my son. The support and guidance for him and our family has been amazing. I do wholeheartedly feel that Emerald is the main reason we are approaching a year of sobriety.” - An Emerald Parent
“At Emerald School, I have constant support surrounding me at all times. If I want to reach out I can and talk to people about how I'm feeling throughout the day.”
- An Emerald Student
SHARE Charlotte is thankful that Emerald School exists for families in our city and we're proud to partner with them to promote the Annual Emerald Gala, dedicated to empowering teens in recovery and raising critical funds for scholarships.
Emerald Gala
🗓️ Friday, February 28 from 6-10pm
📍 The Casey by Beau Monde
✨ This black-tie evening includes guest speakers, a seated dinner, live and silent auctions, raffle, and stories of redemption, recovery, and hope.
👉 Individuals and businesses can support the academic and personal growth of students in recovery by purchasing a ticket, providing an item for auction, or becoming a sponsor.
Learn How Here
More Ways to Support Emerald School
🧑🏽🏫 Volunteer as a Substitute Teacher
🥤 Supply an item from their Wish List
Admissions
If you would like to learn more about admissions at Emerald School, you can schedule a personalized tour and interview to learn more about their unique approach to education and recovery.
