Helping teens succeed in sobriety and in life.
Wisconsin’s Only Recovery High School - Located in Dane County
Horizon High School provides students with an alcohol- and drug-free school environment. We support high school students in recovery from substance use disorders (SUD), including those who may have co-occurring mental health disorders. We also support students at increased risk of SUD, e.g., with parents or siblings with SUD. The school fosters emotional, social, and academic growth for youth who would benefit from a student-centered learning environment with a low student-to-teacher & counselor ratio of 5:1.
Horizon provides an emotionally supportive and academically stimulating environment, enabling youth to succeed and get control of their use and mental health. Our student population varies and is usually between 10-18 students. To maintain an engaging and educational atmosphere, Horizon High School incorporates guest speakers, life skills education, physical education, volunteering and field trips. Outings are planned on a weekly basis to engage students in the greater Madison community.
Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities, both at school and after school, in order to help them maintain their recovery and to grow into well-rounded community members. Since Horizon's creation, over 200 young people have attended. Today many of these former students are enrolled in colleges and universities, in the military, or working as contributing members of our community.
The Need for More Recovery Schools in Wisconsin
Read HHS’s position paper [pdf] on why Wisconsin needs more recovery schools.
Please write your Wisconsin legislators and the Governor asking them to put money in the state budget for Wisconsin Recovery Schools.
What Students Are Saying
No one can better describe the meaningful experience of attending Horizon High School than our alumni. Watch these video testimonials to learn about their time at Horizon High School and the positive impact it’s had on their lives.
On Nov 1, 2023, at an Assembly Education committee hearing, there was testimony on supporting Wisconsin state funding for creating new and supporting existing recovery schools. This hearing was recorded by Wisconsin Eye and is free to view.
Eight Horizon students submitted letters of testimony on the effect Horizon has had on their lives.
The Mission of Horizon High School
Horizon High School provides students in recovery a safe and supportive community in an academic and therapeutic environment. HHS fosters an ethic of honesty and mutual respect, promoting accountability to oneself and to the community.
Horizon In the News
The Wisconsin State Journal recently published a story about Horizon High School and how recovery high schools are helping to battle the opioid epidemic.
Take a virtual tour of our new facility.
Horizon High School of Madison, Wisconsin, is the only recovery high school in Wisconsin. This video shows the newly remodeled school below the old Taco Bell at the corner of N. Whitney Way and University Ave. All of this remodeling was made possible due to a very generous community support grant from CG Schmidt Builders and their partners!
Thanks to Charlie of Virtual House Media for creating this virtual tour video!
Testimonials from Current Students and Horizon Alumni
“Horizon is a safe and sober environment. It has changed my life in so many ways. I have been able to get my life back on track, be sober, and make mature decisions. I am more responsible now, but most of all I am going to graduate! This school has changed me for good.”
“Horizon provides a healthy and stable environment for me to learn in. Horizon has helped me with my academics, taught me to be more responsible, and has helped me to become more independent. Going to Horizon just makes me feel that it is possible to overcome hard times, and Horizon has been there every step of the way.”
“At Horizon High School I can just be myself, I don't have to worry about popularity, fitting in, etc. I get more individual help when I need it, I don't have to worry about falling behind or getting into trouble”.
“Horizon High is probably the best school I have ever been too. The staff is extremely welcoming and friendly. You start to feel familiar with the environment after only a few days. One hour each day is dedicated to group, and I feel this really helps the students get to know each other, share their issues, get help and get passed any shyness. Horizon High means a great place to learn and talk about what you need to get by in life”.