Fortis Academy Removes Tuition Barrier, Expands Access to Recovery Support for Harris County Teens
In a bold move to remove barriers to addiction recovery and education, Fortis Academy—the first and only public recovery high school in Texas—has eliminated tuition costs for students enrolled through any public school district within Harris County.
The announcement comes as communities nationwide recognize National Recovery Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of mental health and substance use recovery. Fortis Academy, operated by the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) and located at 11902 Spears Rd, Houston, TX 77067, has quietly become a beacon for teenagers seeking sobriety while continuing their education—proving that the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
“Superintendent James Colbert Jr. didn’t want tuition to be an obstacle for the districts,” said Principal Travita Godfrey. “In speaking with other superintendents, they mentioned the hardship of the tuition plus transportation. Removing that barrier makes Fortis Academy more accessible to students in the city who need assistance they might not otherwise receive.”
A School That Heals as It Teaches
Fortis Academy, located in Cypress, was established in 2017 by HCDE to meet a deeply human need: a safe, structured environment for high school students navigating substance use recovery. The school combines traditional academics with therapeutic interventions, small group support, and personalized recovery coaching.
Its unique mission—to help students not only earn diplomas but reclaim their futures—has drawn attention across the region. And this fall, for the first time, students across Harris County can attend tuition-free through partnerships between HCDE and their home districts.
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Already, the impact has been significant. Fortis Academy began the 2025–26 school year with record enrollment of more than 25 students and an influx of new partnerships with area school districts.
“We got new partnerships out of this deal because we were able to re-engage some districts that have been dormant for several years because the financial commitment was too difficult,” said Godfrey. “We are also able to provide support a lot quicker. Without that financial component, districts can get contracts approved and students the help they need expeditiously.”
Teen Stories: Healing, Growth, and New Paths
Two Fortis students, Isabella Alvarato and Wilbur Alvarez, represent the hope and resilience found on campus.
Alvarato’s journey began with exposure to substances at just 11 years old, after accidentally ingesting a marijuana edible. That early incident spiraled into more frequent use, particularly in high school, where social pressure and personal struggles played a role. Last spring, after being referred to Highpoint School for possession, Alvarato transitioned to Fortis for the supportive recovery environment.
“Group therapy has really helped me, honestly,” Alvarato shared. “We talk about how we feel and stuff. You get your journal to write stuff down, and Ms. Kesha (Recovery Coach Lakesha Hemphill) gives us good advice because she’s been through the same thing we have.”
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Alvarez, meanwhile, also began using substances in middle school and struggled to find a way out. But Fortis gave him a new direction through its culinary elective, which has become a cornerstone of the school's recovery offerings.
“Cooking helped me a lot,” Alvarez explained. “We mess around and have fun, but we also get to meet new people and learn how to make a lot of dishes. The food is my favorite part, and being at Fortis has helped me through everything.”
Although Alvarez relapsed over the summer, he recommitted to his recovery and is now over a month sober—testament to the school's focus on progress, not perfection.
Recovery as a Lifelong Journey
Recovery is not linear—and Fortis Academy embraces that reality. Throughout National Recovery Month, students are celebrated not only for long-term sobriety but also for every courageous step forward. Staff organized field trips and new experiences as part of the celebration, reinforcing the idea that their futures are full of promise.
“We want our students to know that we care about them, whether they’ve been sober for two hours or 20 years. It’s important,” said Godfrey. “People don’t tend to understand that once you’re sober, you’re in recovery for the remainder of your life. When life happens, you must have the strategies, tools and the support system to lean on so those old habits don’t come to mind anymore. But that’s what Recovery Month is about, and that is what we try to provide to every student who walks through those doors – love and support.”
With tuition no longer standing in the way, more students across the region now have access to the lifeline that Fortis Academy offers. In a time when mental health and substance recovery support for teens is more needed than ever, this Cypress-based campus is doing more than educate—it’s changing lives.
Learn More
To explore Fortis Academy or refer a student, visit hcde-texas.org/Fortis-Academy.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
