Yaakoosge Daakahidi Alternative High School

Yaakoosge Daakahidi completed its first year of participation in the initiative during the 2010-2011 school year. Yaakoosge reported an increase in graduation rates and in the number of credits obtained. In addition, a community partnership was instituted with the Juneau Police Department to obtain bikes for student use to increase student physical activity, and the school implemented BrainPaint, an innovative neurofeedback system. Students participating in BrainPaint have experienced increase attendance rates, increases in credits earned and in course completion, and declines in student disruptive and discipline behaviors. In the 2011-2012 school year, Yaakoosge launched an activities program providing students after school activities four days a week. Examples of these enrichment activities include Culture Club, Student Leadership (community service projects), Healthy Activity Day, and Cooking Club. Finally, Yaakoosge began a comprehensive initiative to curb student suicide, and provided the research-based Signs of Suicide programming to all of its 70 students. 

In the 2012-2013 school year, an increase in the number of students participating in healthy activities occurred. Yaakoosge began a comprehensive initiative to curb student suicide; staff completed Suicide Awareness and Prevention training and Juneau Youth Services (JYS) introduced the research-based Signs of Suicide programming to all of its students. The Initiative provided Yaakoosge Daakahidi with the opportunity to bring in an Americorps/JV Student Advocate position which facilitated BrainPaint with the students, provided emotional-social support, and academic assistance. Community partnerships were formed with Northern Lights Church for homeless student support, the Glory Hole brought food for homeless/low-income students, and JYS provided counseling.