Working to create and maintain a safe, respectful therapeutic community through education and accountability
Program Overview |
Northshore Recovery High School (NRHS) established in September 2006 with the support of the Northshore Education Consortium, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, stands as a vital resource for students whose lives have been affected by substance use.
Designed to address the multifaceted needs of its student body, NRHS integrates academic achievement, recovery support, and mental health services within a trauma-informed framework. The dedicated staff collaborate closely with students, their families, school districts, and community partners to ensure a holistic approach to education. This commitment enables students to complete their high school education and earn a diploma in an environment that fosters personal growth, resilience, and healing tailored to their unique circumstances.
Mission
Education, Community & Accountability
NRHS uses a research-based, government-supported definition of the term “recovery”: a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. The school fosters a culture rooted in integrity, mutual respect, and personal accountability, empowering students to take ownership of their growth and contributions to the broader community.
NRHS co-designs plans and pathways that are personalized to each student’s needs and goals. The school’s commitment is to provide a high-quality academic experience while supporting the development of students’ recovery capital — assets such as knowledge, dispositions, abilities, and relationships within each of the broad domains of health, purpose, and community. The goal of NRHS is to stabilize students, build their recovery capital, and help transition them to their next steps with a healthy accumulation of internal and external resources that will fortify them along their path to meaning and purpose, including higher education, military service, and employment.
Program Details
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Serve students ages 14–21 whose lives have been impacted by substance use and potential co-occurring mental health challenges
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Provide robust family support services and actively encourage parent/guardian involvement
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Employ highly qualified, DESE and DPH licensed educators and staff
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Develop personalized support plans tailored to meet each student’s unique needs
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Offer both individual and group counseling to support emotional well-being
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Provide academic curriculum aligned with Massachusetts Frameworks
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Administer MCAS testing
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Adhere to DESE regulations for students with 504 plans and IEPs, including those placed out-of-district
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Collaborate closely with sending districts to ensure students meet graduation requirements
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Award diplomas through students’ sending districts
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Maintain small class sizes to foster individualized attention and support
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Serve a population of between 30–50 students
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Operate through joint funding from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Department of Public Health (DPH), and local school districts
Nortshore Recovery High School Community
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Throughout the day, students participate in psycho-social groups designed to address key topics such as substance use, trauma, relationships, accountability, life transitions, grief and loss, healthy decision-making, self-esteem, bullying, stigma, and co-occurring disorders
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Students are encouraged to engage in peer-to-peer support, fostering a sense of community and mutual encouragement
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Both staff and students recognize that substance use and mental health challenges are treatable through developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and evidence-based practices that address the comprehensive needs of adolescents
Admission |
Students can be referred by school districts, families, treatment providers, youth-serving state agencies, and juvenile justice. All students need to follow the following steps to complete the process:
STEP 1: Initial Contact/Brief Intake Information
To schedule a tour, please contact:
Ana Lanzilli
Administrative Assistant
Northshore Recovery High School
Phone: 978-922-3305 ext. 1600
Email: alanzilli@nsedu.org
STEP 2: Tour, Information and Interview Session
Tours are scheduled Monday through Thursday between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. Tours typically take about 45 minutes. This visit needs to be scheduled in advance through Ana Lanzilli, alanzilli@nsedu.org 978-922-3305 ext.1600. Parents/guardians must accompany prospective students. Your child will have an interview with their principal or designee to determine whether their placement is appropriate for NRHS. During the interview, you and your child will be expected to discuss their current commitment to addressing substance use and mental health issues that are currently impacting their lives. If your child is on an IEP or 504 plan, please bring that documentation with you, as well as any recent psychological testing or discharge paperwork.
STEP 3: Application and Required Documentation
Student Intake Packet must be returned with all required documentation as listed on the form prior to enrollment acceptance. Please send completed forms to us via fax, email, or mail to:
Ana Lanzilli
Administrative Assistant
Northshore Recovery High School
Email: alanzilli@nsedu.org
Resources |