5280 Recovery High School

09/30/2026

Today is International Recovery Day, wrapping up National Recovery Month. We're honored to be celebrating this important day learning alongside our peers across the state at the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council's annual conference.

Aiyanna, Aston, and Everleigh attended the conference to share their stories and connect with others working toward recovery. They did a fantastic job representing 5280!

Coming together as a community like this is invaluable. As Everleigh shared on the Youth Leading the Way panel, "A big thing that has been helpful for me is people sharing their personal stories. For so long I felt so isolated, I felt so much shame around my story. When I started going to 5280, I met other people and felt like I could speak. I don't have to hold my breath anymore."

09/22/2026

This morning, we had the great pleasure of welcoming Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser to our school! He was joined by his colleagues and our friends at the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council, as well as a couple of 5280 board members and supporters from partners like the Colorado League of Charter Schools and Blueprint.

The AG spoke with students and answered hard-hitting questions during our all-school BOAT. We're so grateful for his advocacy for people in recovery!

"[Substances] can take everything from people, including their lives. In my religious tradition, if we lose a life, it's as if we lose a whole world. Everyone matters. All of your lives matter. How proud I am that you are all living in recovery. Every life has inherent value and worth and there's so much out there you can be. The fact that this community is here lifting you up is meaningful. ...

"The opposite of addiction isn't sobriety, it's connection. The connection you have here, how you show up for one another, is the remedy for what you've all been struggling with." - Phil Weiser

09/21/2026

Last week, a couple of our students achieved major accomplishments! Everleigh celebrated two years of sobriety and Jayden celebrated a whopping three years. We are so proud of these two, and of every student in our school who is resilient in their recovery hour after hour, day after day. The journey is never easy, but it IS rewarding. These two smiling faces are the proof.

09/19/2026

Come see us at the at Cheesman Park today until 4 PM! Many thanks to AdvocatesForRecoveryColorado for making this incredible gathering happen year after year 💞

09/09/2026

High school is hard – especially for a student struggling with substance abuse. Luckily, there’s a high school in Denver made just for them.

5280 Recovery High School is a free charter school that offers an inclusive, safe and sober environment specially designed to support students’ needs. A recovery program is built into the school day and, with a project-based learning model, students’ recovery is prioritized alongside their academics.

Our substance-free community is still enrolling students in grades 9-12, ages 13-20 years old. Free transportation is offered throughout the Denver metro area.

Join a high school made just for you. Learn more at 5280highschool.org.

08/21/2026

Shout out to Chelsea Romaniello for this cute little chalk guy adding some joy to our sidewalk. Chelsea did this piece for Back to School Night, which consisted of students, staff, and parents alike all joining some delicious ice cream and spending time together.

Stop by to see our new chalk monster friend before he fades away!

08/18/2026

We are thrilled to finally welcome students to the first day of school today! Our building is buzzing with that start-of-school energy, and the faint smell of pancakes from this morning's pancake breakfast. What could possibly be better?

08/14/2026

A new school year can mean a new beginning, especially for students in recovery ✨

5280 Recovery High School in Denver offers a school community where students struggling with substance use and related challenges can join our inclusive, safe and sober community.

There is still time to join – enrollment is open for the upcoming school year at our free, public charter school.

A different school experience could be the fresh start your student has been looking for. Learn more about 5280 Recovery High School. 5280highschool.org/join-us

5280 High School is a free, project-based public charter school in Denver, CO, serving grades 9–12 with recovery support and open enrollment.

08/13/2026

5280 Community: We could use your help! We're seeking donations for our Culinary Arts class, as well as snacks more generally. Any donations would be much appreciated!

08/07/2026

We apologize for the photodump, but only a little bit because... PUPPIES!

Not a single staff member could stop smiling during our hour with these four playful pups and our new best friends at Lifeline Puppy Rescue. The snuggles were exactly what our hearts needed during this busy period of prepping.

The puppies are all adoptable!! Check out Lifeline to see them and their many other adorable pups. If you see one you like, act fast--several staff members are threatening to claim them all for themselves!