Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School

Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School is a high school of the Juneau School District in the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska, United States. The school is an opportunity for students over the age of 16 to have a less mainstream high school experience than that offered by Juneau-Douglas High School. In recent years, the school has hosted nearly 100 students ages 16 and up. The school serves students at risk of dropping out, about half of whom are from racial and ethnic minorities. The school graduates about 40 students a year.

The school is seeking to expand into the school district's headquarters located across the street from its existing facility. The move would allow the school to double its student body. [ [http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/051705/loc_20050517003.shtml School district plans to double Yaakoos quarters: The alternative school serves about 100 students and graduates about 40 each year] , "Juneau Empire", May 17, 2005]

Programs and curriculum

The school integrates the culture and language of the Tlingit for the many Native American students, who are at higher risk of dropping out of school. [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AS&p_theme=as&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10894506DA4321B7&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Group helps schools infuse Native themes into curriculum] , "Anchorage Daily News", February 27, 2005] Ceremonies have been held to specifically honor the achievements of Tlingit students at the school, as part of an effort to recognize and encourage achievement by Tlingit students. [ [http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/052106/loc_20060521033.shtml Ceremony honors Native students: Students benefit from more high school options] , "Juneau Empire", May 21, 2006]

Students at the school have participated in a nine-week domestic violence program, aimed at cutting the state's nation leading rates of such violence. [ [http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/102006/loc_20061020018.shtml Students complete domestic violence education program: Alaska has one of the highest rates of such abuse in the nation] , "Juneau Empire", October 20, 2006]

Origin of name

"Yaakoosgé daakahídi" is a Tlingit language phrase meaning "house of learning". The term was created by Tlingit elder Anna Katzeek.

References

External links

* [http://www.jsd.k12.ak.us/yak/ Official site]
* [http://www.jsd.k12.ak.us Juneau School District website]