Program to highlight Maine’s first recovery high school

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) Board of Visitors will host its next business breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, in the Nadeau Hall Conference Room on the UMFK campus.

The program will focus on the Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School, scheduled to open for the 2026–2027 school year, and will highlight Maine’s first recovery high school.

Designed to serve teens in grades 9–12 who are in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and/or co-occurring mental health disorders, the school represents a historic and innovative advancement in both education and youth recovery support.

Uniquely based on the UMFK campus, the Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School will offer a first-of-its-kind school-week, in-residence model in the United States. The program will include eight residential students, along with services for an additional four to six day-only students.

A professional team of five staff members will guide students using a structured, goal-oriented model designed to help young people establish healthy, constructive habits that support their personal, mental, emotional, behavioral, and social development. The program will also ensure students continue progressing toward a high school diploma without prolonged interruption to their education.

Staff will focus on the following key priorities:

  • Academic Advancement: Providing academic courses for high school credit, with opportunities for early college coursework through UMFK.
  • Life-Health Support: Supporting multiple life-health domains, including social, emotional, mental, physical, and vocational health.
  • Recovery & Wellness: Delivering skills training to help prevent future substance use and building a sober social network for every student.
  • Family & Community: Promoting family involvement, offering family support services, and encouraging participation in pro-social activities.

Tickets for the breakfast are $15 and may be purchased by credit card online.

The registration deadline is Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

For more information, contact Lisa Roy at 207-834-7504 or roylisa@maine.edu.