Aateshing Program

• Year founded: 1998

• Year closed: 2010

• Location: Cass Lake, Minnesota

• School Address(es): 208 Central Avenue NE, Cass Lake, MN  56633

• Facility: The program operated out of a traditional school building—the old high school.

• Other Names: none

• School Type: Public - Alternative

• Mission/Purpose & Description:  Aateshing is Ojibwe for "new beginning." Aateshing School was an Area Learning Center (ALC) located in Cass Lake, situated in the middle of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in a rural setting. The school served students ages 14-18 in grades 8-12 who were pursuing recovery from chemical dependency. 

• Origins:

• Reason Closed:

• Student Demographics: 

  • The school served a racially homogeneous population, with 99% Native American and 1% European American students.

  • Students typically came from families with a median annual income between $10,000-$12,000 and frequently faced significant challenges. 

  • Academically, most students arrived substantially behind, ranging from two to three quarters to two to three years behind their grade level. Many required special education services and lacked adequate family support. 

  • Beyond academics, students frequently came from homes where substance use was prevalent and faced exposure to violence. The community struggled with poverty, and students reported high incidences of trauma and neglect. Mentally, many students had been exposed to neglect, depression, violent acting out, and poor social skills.

• Funding: The program was funded through state per diem student funding, Title IX special funds, and several small grants. 

• Enrollment: The school maintained relatively small cohorts, with an average class size of 10 students and an average yearly enrollment of approximately 20 students total.

• Staffing:

  • Aateshing employed a dedicated team of six certified teachers—one specifically for the recovery program and five teachers at the Area Learning Center who also taught classes. 

  • Additionally, the program had one counselor who held a social work license with CD certification. 

  • Other staff support included a nurse who administered drug testing for female students, a part-time cultural resource person, contracted psychological services, and transportation to Twelve Step meetings.

  • The program was directed by the Area Learning Center Director, who held principal licensure for K-12 and a master’s degree in special education.

• Recovery Model and Philosophy: Aateshing followed the Minnesota Model and used AA principles as the foundation of its program. The school worked closely with treatment facilities to support student recovery.

• Admission Requirements. To be admitted to the program, students had to be between 14-18 years old and have successfully completed either an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. Upon admission, students had to provide a clean drug screen, demonstrate a genuine desire to participate in the program and maintain a chemical-free lifestyle, and commit to recovery. Students with emotional/behavioral disabilities (E/BD) and specific learning disabilities (SLD) were considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Academic Program: Students received instruction two to four times per week in core academic areas including math, English, social studies, science, and physical education. The curriculum emphasized hands-on experiential learning opportunities and service work. The school also sponsored various trips and outings focused on academics, positive leisure activities, and attendance at AA/NA conferences and gatherings. Classes met five times per day over a four-day week, with each class lasting 50 minutes and accommodating 10-12 students. Students had to remain enrolled in the Aateshing program for a minimum of two academic quarters, after which decisions about remaining in the program or transitioning to a mainstream setting were made on a case-by-case basis. Only 5% of graduates attempted post-secondary education.

• Recovery & Therapeutic Services: 

  • Mandatory group sessions held at minimum once daily and weekly counseling sessions with the Aateshing CD counselor. The district’s Chemical Dependency Coordinator conducted Rule 25 assessments in-house, facilitating comprehensive care coordination.

  • To maintain enrollment, students had to maintain sobriety, participate in group sessions, attend school regularly, and complete work in every class daily. 

  • The school conducted random drug screens five times annually, or more frequently if staff suspected renewed use. The program enforced a clear relapse policy: the first two positive drug screens resulted in consequences such as parent meetings and special contracts with students; three positive screens resulted in dismissal from the program.

  • The program included close collaboration with treatment facilities, social services at both county and tribal levels, and law enforcement through probation. 

  • The school actively utilized Native American community leaders and maintained contracted professional psychological services within the school setting. 

  • The program was committed to developing strong working relationships with families and made available the resources of the Area Learning Center to recovery program students. 

• School Hours: 

• After-School Programming:

• Key Figures:

  • Mark Kuleta

SOURCE: Mark Kuleta (2002). Information provided for the inaugural meeting of the Association of Recovery Schools in July 2002.