5280 High School

What 5280 High School does

5280 Recovery High School is a free, public charter high school authorized by Denver Public Schools and operating as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) since its founding in 2016/2017. It serves students in grades 9-12 (up to age 20) who are working a recovery program from substance use, self-harm, eating disorders, and other self-destructive behaviors, drawing enrollment from across the Denver metro area through a direct-enrollment model that runs outside of DPS's SchoolChoice process. The school is positioned as one of the largest recovery high schools in the nation and integrates academic instruction with comprehensive recovery and mental health support.

The school's core offering combines a project-based learning (PBL) academic program with a recovery and wellness layer that includes dedicated Recovery Coaches with lived experience, B.O.A.T. (Being Open and Authentic Together) schoolwide meetings, a Licensed Addiction Counselor, a School Psychologist, a School Social Worker, and case management. Signature PBL projects include Jambox (Arduino-based MIDI music device), Libros de Ninos (bilingual children's books via StoryJumper), Math-terpiece (Desmos graphing), and multimedia work using Adobe Creative Suite; the school also runs a mandatory 11th-grade internship, a senior project program, and concurrent enrollment partnerships with local colleges.

Revenue is generated through per-pupil funding from Denver Public Schools and the state, federal grants, individual donations (including a Safe Harbor Society monthly giving program and planned giving), corporate matching gifts, and foundation grants such as the 2022 award from the Caring for Denver Foundation. The organization is led by Executive Director Rick Hauan and governed by an independent board of directors, with approximately 29 staff across instructional, recovery, operations, and support functions.

Name

5280 High School

Legal name

5280 High School

Website

https://5280highschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

5280 Recovery High School is a free, public Denver charter school serving grades 9-12 students in recovery from substance use, self-harm, and eating disorders, combining project-based learning academics with dedicated recovery coaching, mental health support, and B.O.A.T. peer meetings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recovery-Focused Charter High School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile) (EDAJACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

Keywords

• Recovery high school
• Project-based learning
• Charter school education
• Recovery support services
• Mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Charter School Funding: 5280 is a free, public charter school within Denver Public Schools. Revenue comes from per-pupil funding from the school district and state, along with federal grants and funding for special programs.
2. Individual Donations: Online donations, monthly giving program (Safe Harbor Society), cash gifts, vehicle donations. All donations are 100% tax-deductible. The school accepts asset gifts including stocks, bonds, real estate, and personal property.
3. Planned Giving: Estate gifts through bequests in wills or revocable trusts. Sample language provided with Tax ID #82-1582926 for legacy giving.
4. Corporate Matching Gifts: Employee matching gift programs where companies match donations made by employees to eligible nonprofits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

5280 Recovery High School is a free, public charter high school within Denver Public Schools serving students in grades 9-12 who are working on recovery from substance use, self-harm, eating disorders, and other self-destructive behaviors. The school combines a project-based learning academic program (Humanities, Math, Science, Spanish, Visual Arts, Multimedia, Stagecraft Woodwork) with comprehensive recovery and mental health support, including dedicated recovery coaches with lived experience and B.O.A.T. schoolwide recovery meetings. Additional offerings include 11th grade internships, senior projects, intersession experiential programming, and concurrent college enrollment options.

Product overview

5280 Recovery High School is a single-site, free public charter high school that combines project-based learning (PBL) with comprehensive recovery and wellness support. The school's educational offering integrates academic programs (Humanities, Math, Science, Spanish, Visual Arts, Multimedia with Adobe Creative Suite, Stagecraft Woodwork) with recovery services including dedicated recovery coaches, B.O.A.T. recovery meetings, and mental health support. Signature PBL projects include Jambox (Arduino-based MIDI music device), Libros de Ninos (bilingual children's books via StoryJumper), Art Studio (Adobe Creative Suite), Math-terpiece (Desmos graphing), and Intersession experiential programs. Additional components include mandatory 11th grade internships, senior projects, concurrent college enrollment options, and daily tutoring support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 5280 Recovery High School Enrollment Free, public charter high school program within Denver Public Schools serving students in grades 9-12 who are working on recovery from substance use, self-harm, eating disorders, and other self-destructive behaviors. Combines project-based learning with comprehensive recovery and mental health support. Direct enrollment available year-round.
• Academic Program (Project-Based Learning) Project-based learning educational program that engages students in complex, real-world projects developing problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking, and technology skills. Curriculum includes Humanities, Math, Science, Spanish, Visual Art, Multimedia, and Stagecraft Woodwork meeting Colorado Academic Standards.
• Recovery and Wellness Support Program Comprehensive recovery and mental health support program including dedicated recovery coaches with lived experience, B.O.A.T. (Being Open and Authentic Together) schoolwide recovery meetings, peer support, and case management services to help students maintain sobriety and address self-destructive behaviors.
• 11th Grade Academic Internship Mandatory 4-week internship at businesses, nonprofits, or organizations where 11th graders work with adult experts to explore career interests, learn workplace navigation, and practice professional communication.
• Intersession Program Two-day deep-dive experiences into areas of passion or interest outside regular academic disciplines, such as backpacking, raft-building, 3D digital design, Claymation videography, and Mock Trials.
• Senior Project Personalized 12th grade learning experience tailored to future goals, including scientific or artistic endeavors, internships, writing projects, and community service work.
• Concurrent College Enrollment Optional advanced study program allowing students to take college classes through partnerships with local colleges for college credit, supporting college preparation and credit accumulation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5280 has been featured in major national news coverage including ABC Nightline, CNN, NPR, and Denver7, establishing it as a model for recovery high schools nationally.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Local Colleges (Concurrent Enrollment Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner5280 offers students the option to pursue concurrent enrollment at local colleges, allowing them to take college classes through partnerships with local institutions while completing their high school education. This provides advanced study opportunities and college credit accumulation.
• Denver Public SchoolscoreOthers5280 is a free public charter school authorized by Denver Public Schools (DPS). While 5280 does not participate in DPS's SchoolChoice enrollment process, it operates within the DPS framework and follows DPS guidelines including their lottery process if applications exceed capacity.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: Large national nonprofit providing addiction treatment, recovery support, and education across the continuum of care. Comparable as a category-leading recovery institution, though it serves all ages and is not a school — relevant for benchmarking on recovery programming scale and fundraising.
• Caron Treatment Centers: National nonprofit addiction treatment provider with dedicated adolescent and young adult programming. Comparable as a large, well-known recovery organization serving youth, though its core model is residential treatment rather than a recovery high school.
• KIPP Foundation: National nonprofit charter school network serving predominantly low-income students. Comparable as a large, mission-driven public charter operator with strong philanthropic backing, though KIPP's mission centers on college access rather than recovery support.
• Boys Town: National nonprofit providing youth behavioral health, residential care, and family services. Comparable as a long-established nonprofit serving at-risk youth with a mix of clinical and educational programming, relevant for benchmarking on youth-services fundraising and clinical risk management.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: Large, high-profile charter school operator with strong brand visibility and non-traditional pedagogy. Comparable as a charter school that has leveraged media presence and differentiated instruction, though it does not specialize in recovery.

Direct peers

• Hope Academy: Recovery high school in Indianapolis serving teens in recovery from substance use. Directly comparable to 5280 as one of the most prominent standalone recovery high schools in the U.S., targeting the same student population with academic plus recovery support.
• Sobriety High: Minnesota-based recovery high school network serving adolescents in recovery from substance use. Directly comparable mission and model — combining high school academics with recovery support for teens — making it one of the closest U.S. analogs to 5280.

Regional players

• Phoenix Charter School: Charter school serving at-risk and credit-recovery students in a different region. Comparable as a charter alternative school model for non-traditional learners, though it does not specialize in substance use recovery the way 5280 does.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 5280 High School