Charlotte recovery school supports teens battling addiction
Emerald School of Excellence in Plaza Midwood supports students who are recovering from substance abuse and mental health crises
The following article appeared in the Sept. 10, 2025, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
Charity spotlight: Local recovery school supports teens battling addiction and mental illness
Emerald School of Excellence, located in the Plaza Midwood area, offers a wide range of electives, including art, music and foreign language for its students who are recovering from substance abuse and mental health crises. (Photo courtesy of Emerald School)
by Clara Dunn
Substance abuse and mental illness in teens are rising, and Emerald School of Excellence is fighting back, says founder and principal Mary Ferreri. Since 2019, Emerald School has served as a recovery high school for 13- to 21-year-olds dedicated to supporting and educating Charlotte area teens through substance abuse and mental health crises.
Ferreri understood what it felt like to slip through the cracks because of her experience with anorexia nervosa as a teen. It was her involvement with the Butler High School D.R.E.A.M. Team (Daring to Role Model Excellence As Mentors) in Matthews that pushed her to take action.
“They taught me so much, which definitely helped reignite my faith, which in turn, [introduced me] to a lot of just incredible people,” Ferreri said.
When approached by a friend about starting a recovery school in Charlotte, she said she was wary.
“I looked at her, I was like, ‘What do I know about starting a school?’,” Ferreri said.
But two years later, Emerald School began classes at its location inside Memorial United Methodist Church in Plaza Midwood.
The name of the school was inspired by the North Carolina state gemstone: the emerald. Ferreri values it for its rarity and symbolism, which she says embodies the children with whom she works. The name also partially comes from Ferreri’s birth name: Esmeralda.
Emerald School is a private school, but it offers a wide range of financial aid options. In fact, around 70% of their current students are on partial or full scholarships.
“Don’t let [the price] be a barrier for you before you pick up the phone and call,” Ferreri said.
A big difference between Emerald School of Excellence and a typical public high school is the schedule. Emerald School is year-round, so students can start at any time of year. The extra summer semester is designed to help students with broken transcripts catch up on their academics and allow others to get ahead if they want.
The school takes a holistic approach to recovery support. The staff works closely with students’ individual doctors and therapists to monitor their progress.
They also operate on three main pillars: faith, fitness, and fellowship. Despite being located in Memorial United Methodist Church, Emerald School is not religious and students are encouraged to interpret “faith” in their own way.
“It’s having faith again in yourself and what you’re capable of doing,” Ferreri said.
Fellowship is an important pillar for teens, Ferreri said. Emerald School connects students to peers who are struggling with similar issues and to adults who have struggled in the past. That sense of community makes recovery seem possible, especially for those who are early in the process.
“[Don’t] wait until you’re in complete crisis to consider an alternative setting for your child,” Ferreri said.
Emerald School also welcomes volunteers to help with events, like its annual Shark Tank event or career fair.
Ferrari hopes that in the future, Emerald School will be a model for traditional high schools. She believes that most high schools are not adequately meeting their students' needs and should improve not only their student support systems but also their methods of educating.
Clara Dunn is an intern for The Charlotte Ledger. She is a rising sophomore at Boston University and attended high school at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte.
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