Virginia‘s second recovery high school has four students enrolled so far at River Ridge Learning Center in Waynesboro.
Students in 9th to 12th grades from Augusta County and the cities of Waynesboro and Staunton who are suffering from addiction, including alcohol and narcotics, are welcome to attend RRLC and earn their high school diploma while also receiving recovery support services.
Director Amy Christian, who previously served as an assistant principal at Kate Collins Middle School, interviews each prospective student. She said addictions vary among local youth and include pills, alcohol and THC.
“Substance misuse, substance abuse disorder has some negative consequences. We would like to move in the direction of recovery,” Christian said. “And that doesn’t mean you have to be 100 percent clean or 100 percent sober. That means that you will commit to making goals for yourself that lead you into a journey of recovery.”
The teenage population has never had a conversation about recovery in their school environment so they do not know what recovery looks like.
The intake process to enroll in RRLC requires two parts, according to Christian: the student’s willingness to participate and that they will participate in creating a safe space for others in recovery.
“Avoiding re-traumatization, that’s huge for our community. Recognizing that there may be other people who are sensitive to things that we say or that we do and how that might impact that other person’s recovery,” Christian said.
One of RRLC’s foundations is about restorative justice. Staff will work in the next few weeks on community goals for the recovery school.
Also essential in the intake process is that RRLC abides by Virginia Department of Education standards for a standard high school diploma.
Students may attend RRLC temporarily then return to their home high school, or they may finish high school at Waynesboro‘s recovery high school.
“We start with the end goal in mind,” Christian said.
ICYMI: River Ridge news
- Waynesboro, Augusta County Schools announce planning for regional Recovery High School
- Waynesboro Schools considers name for Virginia’s second recovery high school
- Waynesboro Schools continues plans to open regional recovery high school
- Waynesboro: KCMS assistant to direct recovery high school
Students begin intake questioning with a licensed professional counselor to determine mental health and are given a 30-day review of admission. Christian said that for students who choose not to stay at RRLC, staff will insist they have an alternate plan for their education.
RRLC allows students recovering from addiction to make mistakes and not be removed from the program. Random drug testing will be done through the Valley Community Services Board.
“I think there is a different level of support that we can offer students here because they’ve already said they’re willing to work through their recovery journey and if they can still say that, even with a return to use, then that’s what we’re here for, we’re here to support that student,” Christian said.
RRLC’s staff includes four teachers sharing lesson plans in mathematics, social studies, English and science, two mental health professionals and Christian. Electives are also available to students enrolled at RRLC. In September, a member from the Recovery Corps will join RRLC staff.
“This is a brand new team of people doing something that’s very different,” Christian said.
The first recovery high school opened in Chesterfield in 2022. Two more are scheduled to open this fall in Virginia Beach and Loudoun County.
RRLC has a governing board of two members each from Augusta County, Waynesboro and Staunton school boards.
Christian’s journey to head Waynesboro‘s recovery high school began as a child growing up in a home negatively impacted by substance abuse disorder. School was a safe space for her.
“I knew what school was to me so if I could be a part of that for another kid who’s struggling or be a listening ear for a parent who is like: ‘what’s happening to my child?’ and to be able to tell them: ‘It’s 7th grade. That’s what’s happening to your child right now’,” Christian said. “So school was always a special place for me growing up.”
In 2020, she was a counselor at Valley Academy in Fishersville when a student died of a fentanyl overdose.
“And that just changed my whole kind of professional purpose,” Christian said.
When public schools closed for the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on March 13, Christian said she saw the male student leave for the day and she almost told him: “I love you, buddy,” but she did not.
Christian learned later from the student’s mother that he knew she cared about him and that Christian was important to him.
“But, I said: I will never have to process that again. Any interaction that I have with any student, they will know that they are cared for, loved and seen, without a doubt.”
She attended the Waynesboro School Board meeting in the fall when it was announced that Waynesboro Schools would pursue opening Virginia’s second recovery high school. Christian, who began her new position in January, said that she wants to be available for the good, the bad and the ugly with students.
Christian hired each staff member, including a Waynesboro Teacher of the Year and an Augusta County Teacher of the Year, as well as a teacher who moved from Texas to be part of the journey of a new recovery high school in Virginia.
“Our kids are so lucky,” she said of RRLC’s staff. “And we are so lucky to be starting this school with this team of people. They amaze me every day.”
The school day at RRLC is from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., then students have time to receive academic tutoring, mental health support, attend 4th block at Waynesboro High School or hold a part-time job.
Eventually, Christian hopes RRLC will expand to provide services for middle school students and support groups for parents.
Christian plans for RRLC to also become accredited by the Association for Recovery Schools as “another level of professional development, another level of accountability for us” and would provide resources for the Waynesboro recovery school.
She envisions the recovery school helping up to 12 students through 2027 and hopefully 12 to 15 in the 2027-2028 school year.
Students or parents interested in River Ridge Learning Center are encouraged to call 540-673-0480.
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Rebecca Barnabi
