100% SEL Growth: The Lower Yukon School District Story

In just one year of working with Kikori, the Lower Yukon School District (LYSD) achieved something extraordinary: a 100% improvement in their SEL scores across all ten schools. 

This district-wide growth (measured via Panorama surveys from Fall 2024 - Fall 2025) wasn’t the result of a scripted program or a one-off initiative - it emerged from daily experiential SEL practices, cultural alignment with Yup’ik values, and a commitment from leaders and educators to build connection, confidence, and community in every classroom.

How the District Started Its SEL Journey

When Lower Yukon School District (LYSD) first reviewed their Panorama SEL data, one thing was clear: students were struggling with connection, regulation, and confidence. Teachers felt unprepared for consistent district-wide SEL implementation, especially across rural schools where distances are vast, and resources are limited.

The district knew that a quick-fix or binder-style program would not suffice. They wanted something that would reach every school, every teacher, and every student, and something that felt grounded in their Yup’ik community values of storytelling, shared responsibility, and care for one another.

So LYSD made a bold decision: experiential SEL would be a district-wide priority, starting with a four-week summer school pilot to test and refine the approach. 

Summer School: The Proof Point

LYSD’s Summer School became the launchpad for SEL transformation. With 15–20 students per session, educators implemented a full-day structure including:

• Morning Meeting with Kikori experiential activities

• Brain breaks and mindfulness exercises

• Math and literacy blocks interwoven with SEL routines

• Closing Circle to reflect and build community

— William Bajczyk, Middle School Math Teacher, Scammon Bay School

said Andrea Glover, 6th–8th grade teacher at Hooper Bay School.

The results were remarkable:

• Attendance increased by 50% compared to the previous year

• Students reported increased confidence, hopefulness, and engagement

• Teachers found planning SEL activities 26% easier, saving an average of 45 minutes per week

shared Joan Abenojar, 2nd grade teacher at Pilot Station School.

This success gave the district the confidence to scale SEL across all schools for the full year.

Want to learn more?

Click to download the Full Kikori Summer School Case Study

Why Consistency Matters

After the pilot, LYSD launched full SEL implementation with Kikori in their 10 schools focused on daily, simple, repeatable SEL practices that required zero extra prep:

• Morning Meetings with structured SEL activities

• Reflection prompts at the end of lessons

• Shared SEL language and routines across schools

• Alignment with local culture and student needs

Consistency created a powerful ripple effect:

✨ Students knew what to expect every day 

✨ Teachers had ready-to-use tools and strategies 

✨ Schools shared a common SEL language 

✨ Leaders could track SEL growth district-wide

By standardizing SEL routines, the district ensured that SEL wasn’t just a program - it became part of the school culture.

Leadership Decisions That Made a Difference

LYSD’s 100% SEL growth (from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025 as measured by Panorama surveys) was driven by Distance Learning & Logistics Director, Lisa Vrvilo, who led strategic leadership choices:

1. Making SEL non-negotiable but achievable. SEL became part of every school day, not an optional add-on.

2. Choosing tools teachers actually use. Kikori provided hundreds of hands-on, culturally relevant activities aligned to CASEL, Morning Meetings, and student skill needs - without adding to teacher prep time.

3. Investing in experiential training. Teachers attended train-the-trainer sessions and quarterly SEL celebrations, supported by SEL champions from every school. This model both empowered educators and built a sustainable coaching network.

4. Centering SEL in district values. Connection, reflection, community, and belonging became foundational, not peripheral.

said Lisa Vrvilo, District Leader.

SEL + Community = A Powerful Combination

Lower Yukon’s success is deeply tied to its cultural roots. Experiential SEL aligned naturally with Yup’ik traditions, fostering connection, storytelling, and collective care. Kikori’s platform enabled:

• Community-rooted, culturally relevant activities

• Reflection that supported identity and belonging

• Opportunities for students to feel seen and heard

• Strengthened relationships among peers and staff

When SEL is culturally aligned, students show up differently: safe, proud, and ready to engage.

The Result: 100% Growth in Panorama SEL Scores

Across all schools and grade levels, LYSD achieved 100% SEL growth district-wide. Students demonstrated improvements in:

• Self-awareness and self-confidence

• Cooperation and empathy

• Sense of belonging and community

Principals and teachers reflected:

Kikori Tools Districts Can Use to Replicate This Success

Want to improve Panorama SEL scores in your own district? Start with these strategies for district-wide SEL implementation:

Daily Greetings Activities

Incorporate short, fun greetings every day to help students come out of their shells, laugh, and connect with peers and teachers. These activities can include:

• High-fives, fist bumps, or elbow taps with a fun twist

• Quick “show and tell” or share-a-mood exercises

• Cooperative movement games or silly gestures

• Short partner chats or “Find a Friend Who…” prompts

Benefits:

• Breaks the ice and energizes the classroom

• Strengthens peer relationships and empathy

• Encourages participation from quieter students

• Builds a joyful, inclusive classroom culture

Other strategies that Kikori leads with LYSD include:

• Establishing SEL champions at each school

• Conducting train-the-trainer sessions before staff-wide trainings

• Holding quarterly SEL celebrations with experiential learning

• Tracking outcomes using Kikori assessments, Panorama SEL data and district-wide data such as attendance, behavior and academic scores.

Scaling SEL Across Rural Districts

LYSD proves that SEL success in rural school districts is possible when you combine:

• Strong leadership and alignment

• Engaging, hands-on tools for educators

• Cultural relevance and community integration

• Celebration and recognition of SEL champions and staff

From summer school pilot to full-year, district-wide SEL implementation, LYSD demonstrates what’s possible when experiential SEL, consistent routines, and community alignment meet committed leadership.

shared a district leader.

If your district is ready for scalable SEL success, measurable Panorama SEL growth, and joy-filled classroom learning, explore [Kikori Premium] — the hands-on SEL library used by districts nationwide to build connection, belonging, and measurable results.

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A Kikori Pro Membership gives you instant access to:

• Morning Meeting & Advisory slide decks

• Hands-on, printable SEL activities

• Curated music & movement playlists

• Tools that help students connect, reflect, and lead

Perfect for educators who want meaningful SEL they can use tomorrow morning.

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Kikori’s School-Wide Solution supports Tier 1–3 SEL by equipping every educator with:

• Full platform access

• Implementation guidance & training

• Shared language and practices for culture-building

• Bonus resources that support consistency and sustainability

Designed for schools ready to move from isolated activities to a lived, shared SEL experience.

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Share This Story: Inspired by LYSD’s journey? Share it with an administrator or educator who believes SEL can transform school culture - because it absolutely can. 💙