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'It's About Kids' Campaign Highlights Success Stories At Alternative Schools [VIDEO]

BROWNSTOWN TWP. (WWJ) - A video story about an unlikely program that's turning around young lives at an alternative high school in Brownstown Township, is kicking off a campaign this school year to showcase great things happening at Michigan public schools.

The "It's About Kids" campaign highlights special programs in public schools aimed at helping students become more well-rounded individuals.

"These schools are overcoming adversity, building partnerships and finding solutions that put kids first. Their stories often aren't told, they deserve to be – and we hope this campaign will help inspire others," Mark Burton, executive director of Tri-County Alliance for Public Education, said in a statement.

A recently released campaign video highlights a success story about Downriver High School's repeat championship basketball team and its impact on the school's 150 students.

"[One student] had run into trouble and things weren't going right for him but then he got connected up with this team, and being part of this team really helped him get through this difficult period in his life," Principal Jason Evers told WWJ's Chrystal Knight.

Students end up at Downriver High School after being removed from their previous schools for various issues, including disciplinary and academic problems. In 2007, Evers created the basketball program as a way to promote unity among the students, who come from nine different districts.

In order to play on the team, students must maintain a minimum grade point average, have good attendance and stay out of disciplinary issues. If they step out of line during classes, students are forced to sit out during the game.

The program has come a long way since it started. During their first game, students wore white t-shirts with numbers drawn on in permanent marker.

"With that first game we had, it really impressed me with how the players would conform to these requirements to get into the game, and I thought 'Holy smokes, we really have something here.,'" Evers says in the video.

Since then, the team has won the Michigan Alternative Athletic Association Class C championship in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

Today, Evers says student grades are up and more of his students are graduating than before. Instead of being trapped on a path toward failure, students at are now more motivated and focused on school – in large part because of the school spirit the basketball program has generated, Evers said.

"Our goal is to share stories that are helping kids succeed in the classroom, and which we hope will inspire communities across Michigan to find partnerships and innovative solutions that can help kids be the best they can be," said Burton.

The "It's About Kids" campaign is a project of the Tri-County Alliance for Public Education, supported by contributions from private donors.

To view more stories and learn more, visit www.tricountyalliance.org/itsaboutkids.

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