Botvin LifeSkills Training Middle School Program

Middle School Level 1

Foundation Level 1 (15 – 18 sessions)

Students must complete level one before receiving booster levels 2 & 3

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Booster Level 2 (10 – 12 sessions)

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Booster Level 3 (5 – 9 sessions)

Interactive enrichment teaching techniques

Teacher support through teaching icons, hints, and suggested timing

Comprehensive implementation suggestions/guidelines and more

Aligned to National Health Education Standards, CASEL, and Common Core ELA

Access to Botvin Health Connections:  E-cigarettes and Vaping Resource

Program Overview

The Botvin LifeSkills Training Middle School program is a groundbreaking substance abuse and violence prevention program based on more than 35 years of rigorous scientific research. Proven to be the most effective evidence-based program used in schools today, LifeSkills Training is comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally designed to promote mental health and positive youth development. In addition to helping kids resist drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, the LifeSkills Training Middle School program also effectively supports the reduction of violence and other high-risk behaviors.

This program is aligned to the National Health Education standards and to CASEL’s social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies.  To view all LST alignments, visit our website here.

Program Learning Objectives

  • Personal Self-Management Skills – Students develop skills that help them enhance self-esteem, develop problem-solving abilities, reduce stress and anxiety, and manage anger for better mental health.
  • General Social Skills – Students gain skills to meet personal challenges such as overcoming shyness, communicating clearly, building relationships, and avoiding violence.
  • Drug Resistance Skills – Students build effective defenses against pressures to use tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

Program Structure

  • Grades 6-9
  • The program is designed to be taught in sequence over three years in middle school or junior high. The curriculum is intended to be taught sequentially to build on skills learned in the previous levels. Any students taking the program for the first time should receive level 1, followed by booster sessions (levels 2 and 3).
    • Foundation Level 1 (ideally implemented in grades 6/7): 15 class sessions
      • (includes 3 optional violence prevention lessons)
    • Booster Level 2 (only implemented after level 1): 10 class sessions
      • (includes 2 optional violence prevention lessons)
    • Booster Level 3 (only implemented after level 2): 5 class sessions
      • (includes 4 optional violence prevention lessons)
  • 45 – 50 minute class sessions
  • Taught either on an intensive schedule (two to three times a week) until the program is complete, or on a more extended schedule (once a week)

>>>Click here to request a free sample lesson<<<

Middle School Full Curriculum Set Levels 1-3

Program Recognition

NREPP - Blueprints

Exemplary Program
U.S. Department of Education

Top Tier
Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy

Model Plus Program
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development

Model Program
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

Programs That Work
National Institute on Drug Abuse

More Resources

Additional Resources

Botvin Health Connections: E-cigarettes and Vaping- A new resource for addressing this health crisis 

Electronic cigarette use and vaping among youth has increased at an unprecedented rate.  It is imperative that we maintain our focus on implementing evidence-based programs that demonstrate the strongest reductions in youth smoking. The Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) program has been proven to reduce youth smoking by up to 80% by addressing the risk and protective factors associated with a variety of substances.

In response to this crisis, we created Botvin Health Connections:  E-cigarettes and Vaping; a resource designed to strategically enhance specific lessons in LST to bring this health crisis to the forefront while amplifying the demonstrated reductions related to youth smoking.   This easy to implement resource is structured to support LST Elementary, LST Middle School, and LST High School programs. Click here to fill out a short form to download this new resource.

LST Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Module

Straight Talk about Sexting and Messaging DVD

Everything You Need to Know about E-Cigarettes, Vaping and Hookahs DVD

Unlocking Your Potential: Grit Determination and Mindset DVD

Program Components

Each level includes the following materials:

Comprehensive, easy-to-use Teacher’s Manual

Student Guide

Stress Management Techniques Audio – Streaming Only

Smoking and Biofeedback Video – Streaming Only

Digital Support Slides

 Access to Botvin Health Connections:  E-cigarettes and Vaping Resource (register here)

FREE Companion Website (see image >)

Middle School Companion Site
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Complete your Training with Celebration Items

lst-celebration-collection-certificateslifeskills-training-middle-school-celebration-collectionlifeskills-training-elementary-celebration-collectionSee Collection Got Skills Tshirt
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One-day Foundation Training Workshop
(online or in-person)
Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop
(materials included)

Training Services

See ScheduleSee Schedule

*Please note that travel and training materials are additional