Recovery High School in Matawan-Aberdeen Schools Opens Doors

ABERDEEN, NJ - Officials with the regional school system and the Lincroft campus of Brookdale Community College formally opened the new K.E.Y.S. Academy which will combine regular high school with efforts to address youthful addiction.

The mission of K.E.Y.S. or Knowledge Empowers Youthful Sobriety Academy is to provide an academically innovative and supportive environment to help eliminate the achievement gap for adolescents who have been diagnosed with a substance-use disorder and are seeking a sober, healthy lifestyle.

The program includes academics, recovery counseling, mentorship, health and wellness, individualized academic instruction, a blended learning model, individual, group and family counseling, 12-step philosophy of recovery and certified peer recovery specialist.

The curriculum aids were developed through a committee of state education staffers, school personnel, parents, law enforcement and professional agencies, mental health and behavioral experts, and county and state agencies, under the direction Education Commissioner Kimberley Harrington.

The panel identified curriculum resources, programs and practices to support anti-opiate portions of the K-12 New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

The resources support the role of New Jersey schools in developing not only academic achievement but also social and emotional skills for healthy lifestyle choices, she has said.

By providing schools with these opioid curriculum resources and expanding the educational opportunities for students battling substance abuse, state children will know more about the health risks associated with opioid use, persevere through recovery and be empowered to seek help for themselves or others," Harrington said.

This is the only designated Recovery High School in Monmouth County, funded last year by a $1.3 million state grant from the Christie administration to admit 30 students who may be referred by counselors, family courts or other agencies.

Gov. Chris Christie last year announced the grant, part of his anti-opioid campaign to create or strengthen opportunities for addiction prevention, treatment and recovery. Christie had made it one of the priorities of his last year in office.

"We continue to make key investments in prevention efforts in order to help save innocent young lives from the disease of addiction before it starts," Christie said in a release. "It is a top priority to ensure our children learn about the consequences of addiction and make crucial supports available to those in need of treatment."

For appointments, contact Substance Abuse Counselor Jennise Nieves at 732-705-5305/jnieves@marsd.org or Nelyda Perez, assistant superintendent for special services at 732-705-4023/nperez@marsd.org or Joseph Majka, schools superintendent at 732-705-4003/jmajka@marsd.org.

Recovery High School in Monmouth County opens its doors. Image via Shutterstock.