The KPDSB Graduation Coach approach continues to be a leading model for improving academic achievement and well being for First Nations, Metis and Inuit students. Our Graduation Coaches and Student Support Navigators work collaboratively to support our learners and their families with a goal of seeing each student through to graduation.
Our school based support:
Dryden High School:
- Graduation Coach
- Student Support Navigator
Beaver Brae Secondary School (Kenora)
- Graduation Coach
- Student Support Navigator
Sioux North High School (Sioux Lookout)
- Graduation Coach
Red Lake District High School
- Graduation Coach
Sioux Mountain Public School (Sioux Lookout)
- Indigenous Family Case Worker
Open Roads Public School (Dryden)
- Indigenous Family Case Manager
Our team continues to grow thanks to a partnership with the Northwestern Health Unit which provides funding and mentorship for the new student support navigator position. The collaboration of health and education allows increased access to supports for our students and their families/caregivers.
Four Directions works with students and families:
- To ease the transition from elementary to high school and transitions throughout high school into post-secondary life
- Build a sense of community within the school
- Link students with school resources and opportunities
- Link students with community resources and opportunities
- Promote school engagement
- Advocate for students
- Develop leadership skills
- Support school and home communication
- Goal setting
- Educational and career pathway planning
Students receive customized and personalized support delivered by a “circle of caring adults” that includes teachers, school staff, parents/caregivers and community supports. The Four Directions Graduation Coaches and Student Support Navigators work to ensure a sense of belonging and security for students by building relationships with caring adults, role models, peer tutors and students and community members.
Our programs are supported by many community partnerships. The Northwestern Health unit, above the navigator supports, funds student nutrition programs which ensure our students have access to nutrient rich food. Our local Friendship Centres, Metis Nation and First Nation communities offer learning opportunities and mentorship for students. We are fortunate to work with unique partners in each community to ensure that students receive the supports they require.
Our supports continue to lead to improved outcomes as more students are finding academic success and graduating. We have celebrated sustained 4-year graduation rates, with Dryden High School seeing over a 40% increase in FNMI 4-year graduates up to 77%. Beaver Brae has experienced a 25% increase in 4-year FNMI graduates. We are looking forward to celebrating Sioux North High School’s first Four Directions graduating class in June of 2020.
Four Directions continues to be one of our most celebrated and impactful support mechanisms for our First Nations, Metis and Inuit Students. We are pleased to be able to continue to support this approach in our board and look forward to continuing to support the growth within our board and our province.
