About us

YESS Academy

The YESS Academy represents the official learning center for the YESS Institute, a non-profit organization located in Denver, CO. Since its origin in 2001, YESS Institute has provided Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs for middle and high school students through for-credit classes. That's right - students get to learn critical SEL skills during the school day and receive credit to do so. YESS Academy provides e-Learning programs focused on drug awareness and education for youth, combining SEL techniques into each virtual course.
What is YESS Healthy Lifestyles?
YESS Healthy Lifestyles was designed with the mission of reaching youth at a critical developmental period in their lives, and equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and resources to develop healthy life skills. Healthy Lifestyles is focused on education students about topics relevant in their classrooms and communities. At present, our biggest efforts are being poured into courses related to Cannabis, Vaping, and Opioid awareness and education.
YESS Academy Cannabis Awareness & Education Social Emotional Curriculum
The YESS Academy Cannabis Awareness & Education Social Emotional Curriculum empowers youth to thrive in a post-legalized world by giving them the information and skills to make healthy decisions — for themselves. The course is designed for 5th-8th grade students who are at risk of unhealthy decisions with Cannabis mis-use.

All of our programs align with standards of:

  • Program Quality Assessments (PQA)
  • Social Emotional Learning (PEARSON)
  • Colorado Department of Education
  • National Health Education Standards
  • Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
  • Collaborative for Academic, Social, & Emotional Learning (CASEL)
What is the course all about?
Students participate in an interactive 9-level eLearning curriculum where they learn about healthy choices & personal responsibility while exploring nature. The YESS Cannabis Awareness & Education e-Learning program provides what competitor programs don't.
9
course levels
45
minute lessons
270+
activities
Course highlights
  • Flexible curriculum that is self-paced or can augment in-class instruction
  • SEL training while engaging in virtual outdoor simulations
  • Lessons provide relevant & engaging activities to build life skills
  • Attendance-tracking & assessments integrated into and Learning Management System

Quality courses

Interactive lessons

Easy evaluations

Positive impacts

Comprehensive training

Our Mission:

  • Empower students with knowledge to make healthy decisions
  • Provide accurate information with real-world applications
  • Combat rising trends in addiction & addiction overdoses
  • Teach SEL skills within drug awareness e-Learning programs
  • Provide training & materials for teachers, parents, students
  • Reduce negative consequences associated with substance abuse

Our Qualifications:

  • More than 20 years experience working directly with at-risk youth
  • Courses designed and gamified by experts
  • Curriculum developed in collaboration between schools, students
  • All programs beta-tested in 1000+ students
  • Peer leadership and SEL course development research
  • Supported by schools around the country  

Why choose YESS?

At YESS Academy, we understand what it's like to face difficulties with Cannabis use behaviors by students. That's why we developed YESS Healthy Lifestyles Cannabis Awareness & Education Curriculum.

Our program is a series of in-depth, interactive and engaging courses that will provide youth with the most advanced and up-to-date knowledge in the most useful and actionable ways. Our goal is to help you, your students, and your community in as many ways as possible so that you can feel confident in the future leaders of our world.

YESS Academy provides comprehensive, self-paced e-Learning program that allows youth to expand their SEL toolkit. Our programs not only teach students how to make responsible decisions, but they explain why responsible decision-making matters.

Real-world, sensible knowledge

YESS Academy e-Learning was developed with the intention to provide accurate information about substance use to youth.

Wide-reaching goals for
youth

We aim to reduce prevalence of substance abuse among youth, decrease negative health, social, & educational consequences associated with substance abuse.

Education that meets your schedule

Our courses are 100% online and self-paced, which allows you to start and stop at any time and as often as necessary to accommodate your schedule.
Research-backed lessons

Courses developed by experts

Designed by researchers, academics, students, and teachers, YESS Academy's e-Learning courses are the most effective way to expand the knowledge base necessary for students to make healthy decisions around Cannabis-use. Our programs are built to support the unique needs and goals of your school, allowing students to learn at their own pace and at a time that is convenient for class schedules.
“YESS Academy provides accurate, evidence-based resources that allow for safe discussions in the classroom."

Dr. Walter Balser

RadSchools Course Developer

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Unlock learning in multiple fields

YESS Academy helps students make healthy, positive decisions by educating them about the history, biology, legality, and social factors related to drugs and drug abuse. Subscribe to our weekly blog to learn more.
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Audiobook courses

Listen to learn to lead

Expand your influence by learning the 9 Key Components of Peer Mentoring. YESS will teach you practical knowledge that you can take into any classroom or after school program.
Facilitator Guidebook

Best practices in teaching youth drug awareness

Drawn-out trainings and inevitable re-trainings are a thing of the past. Let us do the training for you - every step of the way.
Start learning today

Course catalogue

Available now!

Cannabis Awareness & Education

Students (grades 5-8) participate in an interactive 9-level e-Learning curriculum where they learn about healthy choices & personal responsibility while exploring nature.
Coming Summer 2023

Vaping Awareness & Education

Students (grades 8-9) participate in an interactive e-Learning curriculum where they learn about healthy choices while going on a concert tour. 

Opioid Awareness & Education

Students (grades 10-12) participate in an interactive 9-level e-Learning curriculum where they learn about healthy choices while getting involved in their communities.
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YESS Academy is the product of collaboration between YESS Institute, RadSchools, and Denver Afterschool Alliance, along with feedback from community agencies and youth experts. We are grateful to our many community supporters and participants who have helped make our resources streamlined, effective, and available to you in multiple modalities.

YESS Institute

RadSchools

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