About Us

Any Multnomah County youth in grades 9-12 committed to recovery can attend with a referral from their home school district. The program is open to all youth, including youth with IEPs, 504 plans, TAG plans or who need ELL support. 

By attending the recovery high school, students and families agree that students will be: 

• Focused on earning a high school diploma
• Dedicated to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free life
• Committed to giving back and paying forward

The pandemic has shed light on and increased the mental health needs of our youth. We hear from district and school leaders regularly that they need help supporting youth with substance abuse challenges. Some of those supports can be offered in-house but others, particularly for the youth trying to start fresh and live a substance-free life, need to be in a space focused on supporting healthy habits and away from past temptations. 

Currently there is only one other public recovery program option in Oregon, which is housed in Clackamas county. However, transportation and distance may inhibit families from wanting to utilize this option. A centrally located recovery high school program means our Multnomah County youth have a school home that is connected to the community where they live and transportation and distance are no longer barriers.

Yes! We officially opened September 2023. 

The Association of Recovery Schools is a valuable resource for learning more about the history and diversity of recovery schools around the country.

Currently, there are only two recovery high schools in Oregon. Rivercrest is the second one to open. However, in 2023 the Oregon Legislature approved funding to support opening additional recovery schools across the state. You can learn more about the Oregon Recovery High School Initiative here and the new legislation here.

We are in the process of connecting with potential mental and behavioral health partners as well as culturally responsive organizations for input and possible collaboration.

Please feel free to reach out to any of the following if you would like to learn more: 

• Todd Nicholson, Rivercrest Academy Principal: tnicholso@mesd.k12.or.us
• Jeremy Ralls, Rivercrest Academy Counselor: jralls@mesd.k12.or.us
• Christine Otto, Senior Educational Services Administrator/Bridges Director: cotto@mesd.k12.or.us