A new Northern Virginia high school set to welcome students this week will help them catch up or remain on track in class while they’re recovering from substance use disorders.

The campus, called Recovery, Inspiration, Strength and Empowerment Academy, is located in a wing of The North Star School’s building in Leesburg.

Jen Evans, Loudoun County Public Schools’ director of student mental health services, said opening the school was a priority for Superintendent Aaron Spence. The model is the first of its kind in Northern Virginia, and could expand to welcome students outside Loudoun next year.

“The rigor that LCPS and other school divisions have for students, that adds pressure,” Evans said. “So then imagine you’re also dealing with a medical disease of addiction at the same time. Bala

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