The Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation Donates $3 Million to Support 20th Anniversary Sustainability Campaign for Indiana’s Only Recovery High School The Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation, a longtime supporter of Hope Academy, has made the largest financial contribution in the recovery school’s 20-year history, awarding a $3 million gift in support of...Read More

When Hope Academy gathered our community at the 2025 Rise & Shine for Hope breakfast, we shared a short video that reflects something deep in our journey. It tells the story of Hope Academy’s enduring commitment to recovery-centered education—and our role in a national movement working alongside other recovery schools across the country to ensure...Read More

Photo: Rachelle Gardner, Hope Academy Executive Director, and Dr. John Lechleiter, Former CEO of Eli Lilly and Company Indiana’s only recovery high school shares its plans for long-term sustainability and announces major fundraising effort at its annual Rise & Shine for Hope breakfast INDIANAPOLIS — At its Rise & Shine for Hope breakfast on Thursday, November 6, 2025,...Read More

Photo: Molly Burns, Pat Kenney, and Zach Canterbury of F.A. Wilhelm Construction. Every strong foundation begins with someone who believes in what can be built. For Hope Academy, that foundation was poured—literally and figuratively—by F.A. Wilhelm Construction, this year’s Faces of Hope Award Recipient. As Indiana’s only recovery high school celebrates 20 years, it’s fitting...Read More

The Indianapolis Business Journal has named Rachelle Gardner, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Hope Academy, as one of its 2025 Women of Influence. The annual award honors women who have made a meaningful difference in their professions and communities through leadership, vision, and service. For nearly two decades, Gardner has led Hope Academy with purpose...Read More

Grant to support launch of Family Engagement Center, a collaboration between Hope Academy and The Willow Center, to expand counseling and recovery programs Hope Academy has been awarded a $200,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to enhance its family engagement and outpatient recovery programming. The support will enable the school to build on nearly 20...Read More

This Recovery Month carried a special meaning for Hope Academy. As we mark 20 years as Indiana’s only recovery high school, we were deeply honored to receive the 2025 Recovery Advocate of the Year Award from Mental Health America of Indiana and the Indiana Recovery Network. For us, advocacy has always meant more than speaking...Read More

Our Blueprint for Learning and Recovery At Hope Academy, we see our school as more than a building. It’s a place built with purpose. Every wall, every room, every hallway plays a part in helping students grow academically and in recovery. We start the school year by walking through The Hope Way, our blueprint for...Read More

Hope Academy is excited to announce new funding from the Lilly Endowment Lead Forward Initiative, supporting the next chapter of our occupational therapy (OT) and after-school programming. This grant allows us to integrate hands-on creative technology—like 3D printing and Cricut design tools—into recovery-centered activities that nurture student growth, identity, and skill-building. Led by Johnna Belkiewitz,...Read More