P R O G R A M  O V E R V I E W  

---

P.E.A.S.E. Academy, an acronym for Peers Enjoying A Sober Education, is the oldest recovery high school in the United States. P.E.A.S.E. Academy has been serving students in recovery, since February 1989. The school challenges students to develop their cognitive capabilities in the areas of language skills, critical thinking, mathematical reasoning and computation, and to develop a deeper understanding of the social and physical environment in which the live. The school also challenges students to develop deeper self-awareness and inner strength, more meaningful social relationships, and a greater sense of purpose overall. By rising to these challenges and striving to achieve personal goals for strength and success, students can define their vision for a productive and healthy future. 

At P.E.A.S.E. Academy, we are committed to maintaining a small supportive school environment with 70-75 students enrolled at any one time. Our class sizes are approximately 15:1.  P.E.A.S.E. Academy provides caring staff that is knowledgeable and supportive of chemical dependency and recovery issues, is dedicated to providing current and relevant instructional resources, and a learning environment that is challenging, safe, nurturing, and pleasant. Most importantly, we provide a safe, sober community based on inclusiveness and mutual respect where diversity is both respected and valued. 

P.E.A.S.E. Academy is open to qualifying students from any school district. Located in the heart of Dinkytown, P.E.A.S.E. Academy offers an incredible array of opportunities that can be found at the University of Minnesota and the thriving metropolitan area of the Twin Cities. We are an accredited four-year high school whose graduates have gone on to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Duluth, Augsburg College, Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and numerous community and technical colleges throughout the metropolitan area. P.E.A.S.E. Academy takes very seriously the plans students have after graduating high school and works with the students to make those goals a reality. 

To enhance this, P.E.A.S.E. Academy practices a restorative justice model to settle conflicts and disputes, deal with the occasional disciplinary needs of the school, and help the community gain deeper understanding through hearing the voices of everyone. 

P.E.A.S.E. Academy is a member of the Association of Recovery Schools – MN and USA; a member of the Metropolitan Federation of Alternative Schools and is accredited by the North Central Association Commission of Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA). 

CHEMICAL HEALTH POLICY 

Choosing to attend P.E.A.S.E. Academy is a choice to grow holistically, to live a life free of drugs and alcohol, and to support other students with the same goal. A recovery lifestyle means that use at anytime of the day or year or casual or social use is unacceptable. 

Students who commit to leading a recovery lifestyle commit to engage in activities that help them remain sober which include having a positive attitude and embracing behaviors free from references to chemical use and abuse. We expect students to share their struggles and successes openly and honestly with staff and their peers. Students may remain at P.E.A.S.E. Academy as long as they demonstrate a commitment to sobriety and cooperate with staff in finding the right support for their sobriety. 

P.E.A.S.E. Academy offers a variety of supports to assist students in maintaining their sobriety.

*CLP- Continuous Learning Plan is developed individually for each student.

*A sobriety plan developed by the student and her/his advisor.

*Twice a week, all-school check-in

*PST – Peer Support Team

* Peer outreach and networking

*Sober social activities

* Individual and group counseling with the on-site school chemical dependency counselor

* Staff advisors that stay with the student until graduation 

LEARNING YEAR &  COURSE OFFERINGS 

P.E.A.S.E. Academy is a high-powered, liberal arts high school. P.E.A.S.E. Academy teachers plan lessons in nine-week quarter units. In addition to the core academic subject areas of Math, Science, Social Studies and Language Arts, students can choose from electives such as street law, career explorations, film, music history, cultural studies, ecology, media, and politics. Students may choose to enroll in post secondary options (PSEO) during their junior or senior years, which allows them to take college/university credits during high school.  

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE 

P.E.A.S.E. Academy practices restorative justice for behavioral problems as well as sobriety issues. This process empowers students to be reflective and to learn the skills of working through problems with those who have been hurt by their actions. P.E.A.S.E. Academy uses the restorative justice model to settle conflicts and disputes, deal with the occasional disciplinary issues, as well as help the community gain deeper understanding through hearing everybody’s voice.