5280 High School

As the only recovery school in Colorado, 5280 High School seeks to help as many students as possible access recovery. For many of our students, sobriety is only possible in the safe, supportive environment surrounded by other sober peers that 5280 offers.

To eliminate transportation as a barrier to school attendance, we offer van pick up and drop off to students who otherwise would be unable to attend 5280. However, the need for transportation support becomes greater every year, and we have already surpassed our seat capacity for SY24-25.

We are leaning on the support of our community to help us purchase another passenger van so that we can reach our students in Castle Rock and Boulder. Every dollar counts!

Any donation will help make an impact. Thank you so much in advance for your contribution to this cause and your support of our community and families! Feel free to reach out to us for more information.

5280 High School is a project-based learning public charter in Denver that serves students who struggle with substance abuse, self-harm, disordered eating, and other self-destructive behaviors. Through authentic academic experiences and a culture of holistic wellness embedded in strong diverse community, 5280 High School prepares all students for success in college, their future career, and anything life throws at them.

Colorado faces a critical challenge in adolescent substance use and mental health. Our state's youth overdose death rate is 60% above the national average, with fentanyl involved in 75% of these tragic losses. In the Denver Metro region, these rates soar to three times higher than rural areas. Yet, fewer than 10% of youth who need it are able to access treatment for substance use.

As the largest recovery high school in the nation and Colorado's only campus of its kind, 5280 High School serves students aged 14-20 who are navigating substance use, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders. We're creating groundbreaking solutions daily, with no existing blueprint for success at this scale.

Our Urgent Need

We're seeking to raise $200,000 this giving season to retain three essential positions that are critical to our students' success. With state funding covering only 40% of our operational needs, we rely on community support to maintain our comprehensive care model. Our staff are vital to ensuring uninterrupted support services for students in various stages of recovery—many of whom are experiencing their first sustained period of sobriety.

Students in early recovery face significant obstacles:

At 5280 High School, we're committed to breaking these barriers. Our students come to us carrying experiences with self-harm, disordered eating, and the complex journey of early recovery. We believe in health and educational equity for all students whose recovery needs aren't met by traditional schools.

The Impact of Your Support

The 60% funding gap between state funding and our actual needs means every donation directly impacts our ability to:

This giving season, your 100% tax-deductible contribution helps us close this critical funding gap. Without these positions, we risk interrupting the vital support services that keep our students on their path to recovery and academic, professional, and personal success. Your gift to 5280 High School isn't just a donation—it's an investment in proven solutions for youth recovery and education. Together, we can continue building this vital bridge to success for Colorado's youth.