5280 High School - A Recovery High School

A nonprofit organization

5280's mission is to graduate students in recovery who are ready to tackle college, a career, and anything life throws at them. The academic program is designed to build skills as well as academic content-skills such as communication, collaboration, personal wellness, and perseverance.

Testimonials

"My son has grown so much at 5280. He's been pushed to take responsibility for his choices and now has the confidence to advocate for himself." - 5280 Parent

"5280 made it possible for me to graduate from high school on time and to stay sober throughout the whole process, which I would not have been able to accomplish at any other high school." - 5280 Graduate

"5280 was a godsend. This is the 5th high school I have attended and it has hit all of my needs. Plus, I go to school with people I love." - 5280 Student

Giving Activity

Mission

Through authentic academic experiences and a culture of holistic wellness embedded in a strong diverse community, 5280 High School prepares students living in recovery for success in college, their future career, and anything life throws at them.

Background Statement

Over the past six years, 5280 High School (5280) has grown from a seed of a thought to a thriving public high school making a profound impact on teenagers struggling with addiction. The school's founder, Melissa Mouton, was about to launch a career as a physician when she started her journey of recovery from addiction. After realizing the profound impact that recovery had on her life, Melissa had the idea of starting a recovery-focused high school. A pivotal moment was when she met a 16-year-old teen with 6 months of sobriety from heroin, who had to drop out of school in order to stay clean (given the easy access to drugs in high schools). This didn't sit well with Melissa, a former educator who knew we could do better than that in Denver. That sparked the idea for 5280, and she left the field of medicine 18 months later to launch the school. Since then, 5280 has grown exponentially and is making a lasting impact in the Denver metro area.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

5280 High School - A Recovery High School

Year Established

2017

Tax id (EIN)

82-1582926

Category

Education

Organization Size

Large Organization

Address

1200 W Mississippi Ave
Denver, CO 80223

Service areas

Denver County, CO, US

Phone

720-919-1056

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