Guests: Traci Goll, Horizon High School; students Julius and Jess
Horizon High School in Madison is a one-of-a-kind school in Wisconsin. It is a recovery high school meaning its environment, curriculum and staff are structured to provide a safe and sober learning atmosphere for students in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse. And it is working!
The idea for the school was born in 2004 when addiction expert Shelly Dutch met with several educators and parents of addicted teens. These teens had been in and out of school and treatment centers with little success in breaking their addiction cycle.
Following Wisconsin’s academic standards, Horizon High School opened in January 2005 with a handful of students who went on to graduate five months later. Today, sixteen students are enrolled, 15 from MMSD and one from an outlying school district. They currently have a waiting list.
On this program, Traci Goll, Horizon’s Director, is joined by students Julius and Jess who share their history and struggles with drug addiction and how they are on the path of succeeding in sobriety and in life at Horizon High School.
Horizon High School must raise $100,000 each year to continue as a recovery school. Their annual fundraiser will be Tuesday, May 14, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at Rocky Rococo Pizzeria West, Tree Lane and Mineral Point Rd. The Pizza Buffet is $12 with an additional $20 suggested donation to Horizon High School. The program begins at 6:15. An anonymous donor will match up to $10,000 raised at the fundraiser.
