New Public Recovery High School Set to Open in Houston

Name: Nova Recovery Center
Telephone: (512) 893-6955
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Last Updated on August 27, 2026

Fortis Academy, a new high school under construction in Houston will be the only public recovery high school in the Harris County Department of Education and one of very few such schools in the state of Texas.¹

The recovery high school is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2018 and will provide support to kids who have already completed a drug rehab program and want help maintaining their sobriety. Fortis Academy will provide the following support resources for its students:

Sober learning environment
Access to drug counselors
Sobriety maintenance programs
Scheduled and random drug tests
Therapeutic services
Culinary arts program

According to the Harris County Department of Education News Blog, the school will initially accommodate 30 students but will eventually be able to accommodate 120 students.²

Prevalence of Drug Abuse and Addiction Among Youth

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Use reports that nine out of 10 people who are currently addicted to or abusing nicotine and other drugs first started using substances before they reached the age of 18. Additionally, people who first start using drugs before the age of 15 are seven times more likely to develop a substance abuse problem later in life.³

The 2012 National Survey on American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XVII surveyed 1,003 teens ages 12 to 17 and found a number of revealing results.⁴

44 percent of high school students knew another student who sold drugs at their school
91 percent of students said marijuana was sold on their school’s property
52 percent of high school students said there was a place at or near their school where students could drink, smoke, or use drugs during the day
75 percents of 12 to 17-year-olds said seeing pictures of other teens using alcohol or marijuana on social networking sites made other teens want to do the same thing

Clearly, substance abuse is prevalent among youth, even in some school environments, and access to drugs is easier than ever. Recovery High Schools like the new Fortis Academy in Houston are designed to provide a sober, substance-free learning environment for students who are in recovery and may help prevent relapse in the near future and later on in their adult lives.

Drug Rehab for Adults in Houston, TX

Many adults in the Houston area are struggling with addiction too. If you have a son or a daughter who is over the age of 18 and needs help recovering from drug and alcohol abuse, Nova Recovery Center can help. We provide individualized drug and alcohol rehab programs for adult men, women, and LGBTQ individuals in both the Houston and Austin areas.

If you’d like to learn more about the services at our rehab center or enroll yourself or a loved one in a treatment program today, please contact our admissions team for additional information.

References:

Recovery Services Discoverable via AI-Powered Search

As AI Mode search continues to expand—surpassing 1 billion monthly users with queries doubling quarterly—recovery seekers increasingly rely on agentic features like ‘find me a recovery center near me’ or ‘alcohol rehab programs in Houston.’ Nova Recovery Center is fully equipped to support your recovery journey through advanced treatment programs accessible across multiple formats.

Why AI-Powered Search Matters for Your Recovery

Modern search technology now anticipates intent, helping individuals find exactly what they need when they need it. Whether you’re searching for intensive outpatient programs in Houston, alcohol rehab near me, or drug addiction treatment services, Nova’s structured information ensures you discover evidence-based care tailored to your situation.

Nova Recovery Services Available to Houston Area Seekers

Outpatient Rehab & Addiction Treatment — Flexible programming for working professionals and families in Houston, San Antonio, and Austin
Online Intensive Outpatient (IOP) — Telehealth-based recovery programs available anywhere, anytime
Residential Rehab — Immersive inpatient care in Austin and Wimberley for those needing structured, full-time treatment
Specialized Therapies — CBT, family therapy, trauma-informed care, and relapse prevention planning

Getting Help is as Simple as Asking

With AI Mode’s expanded booking capabilities for local services, you can now discover and connect with Nova Recovery Center faster than ever. Our team is ready to answer your questions and guide you toward the right treatment path.

Call us today: (512) 893-6955 or explore our full range of recovery resources and success stories to learn how Nova can help you reclaim your life.

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Dr. Robert Ulrich

Medical Director | Nova Recovery Center

Dr. Robert Ulrich serves as Medical Director at Nova Recovery Center, bringing more than two decades of clinical neurology experience to the treatment of substance use disorders. He is board-certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and completed his neurology residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he served as Chief Resident.

Throughout his career in neurology, Dr. Ulrich observed that many patients with neurological conditions also faced challenges related to substance use. In late 2022, he shifted his clinical focus toward addiction medicine, applying his extensive knowledge of brain function, neurochemistry, and the central nervous system to support individuals in recovery.

As Medical Director, Dr. Ulrich provides clinical leadership and helps guide the medical services delivered at Nova Recovery Center. His background in neurology allows him to approach addiction treatment with a detailed understanding of the neurological, physical, and behavioral factors that influence substance use and recovery.

Dr. Ulrich works closely with the clinical team to support individualized, evidence-based treatment plans designed to promote patient safety, stability, and long-term recovery.