Sober Private School On Horizon

 The School Plans To Open Jan. 31 To Offer An Option For Students Who Want A Sober Environment.

 Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL/WISCONSIN :: B1

 Wednesday, December 22, 2004 
 
Sandy Cullen Wisconsin State Journal

 After spending the end of his junior year in a residential treatment program for drug and alcohol abuse, Tommy Marshment-Howell tried going back to Madison's East High School.

 "I just decided it wasn't working," said Marshment-Howell, 17, who admits, "I've always had attendance problems."

 He had been planning to pursue a high school equivalency diploma. Instead, he will attend Horizon High School, a private school set to open Jan. 31 for students in recovery and others who want a sober environment that nurtures emotional growth while providing individualized academic instruction.

 "Being sober is all about who you surround yourself with," said Marshment-Howell, who has been sober for the past 5 1/2 months.

 "We're just thrilled that it's an option," his mother, Barbara Marshment, said of the school, which will rent space in the basement of Advent Lutheran Church, 7118 Old Sauk Road.

 "It's something that Madison really needs," Marshment said. "It gives us a lot of hope."

 Drawing on the best practices of other "recovery schools" across the country, Horizon High School wants to provide students with greater opportunities for academic success, along with support for those who want to avoid the peer pressure to use alcohol or other drugs they encounter in other schools, said Horizon board of directors member John Fournelle.

 The school's goal is to have a student-teacher ratio of 5-1, Fournelle said.

 Tuition to the private school will be $5,000 a semester. Limited financial assistance is available, Fournelle said, adding that the school plans to offer scholarships in the future.

 The school has raised more than $60,000 in start-up funds from individual donors and is seeking grants, he said.

 Ryan Clark has been hired as the school's first teacher. Clark is completing his teaching certification in the Verona School District, where he also coaches basketball.

 Fournelle hopes the school will have five students enrolled in January and expand to 10 students and two teachers in the fall. The school is open to high school students.

 "We're looking for students who want to get control of their lives, who want to stay sober," he said, adding, "The students have to want to come."

 The school will not provide drug and alcohol treatment, Fournelle said. Students with drug or alcohol problems must have completed or be in a treatment program and maintain a period of sobriety.

 "This has been a dream of mine for probably 15 years," said local drug and alcohol counselor Shelly Dutch of Connections Counseling, which will provide a staff member to work with students.

 Students will spend an hour a day together discussing topics such as self-esteem, anger, peer relationships and making appropriate choices, Dutch said.

 The school's location also will give students opportunities to be involved in nature, including an adjacent prairie restoration and community garden, Fournelle said, adding, "It's not a block of cement in the middle of a city."

 "Even though it will start very slowly, I think it will flourish," Dutch said.

 \ If you go

 * What: Horizon High School Open House
 * When: Dec. 29 at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
 * Where: Advent Lutheran Church, 7118 Old Sauk Road
 * Information: 274-2245