RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTER
Student voice and peer support are key elements to maintaining a positive school community and creating a more restorative approach for all campus discipline issues. Integrated with our Restorative Practices Experience Training, we assist schools in creating unique, student-led Restorative Justice Centers (RJC) that help change the traditional discipline model to a more restorative approach. We aim to make the RJC the heart of the school community and build more equitable systems of support for students and staff.
The Restorative Justice Center is a Tier 1 intervention with Tier 2 and 3 components that becomes an integral part of the tiered support system. The Center is a space for students to “cool down,” reflect on their actions, and repair the harm they may have caused. Working in concert with the staff and administration, Student Advocates use a restorative approach to help their peers lose less instructional time. They also offer their peers an opportunity to work through self-reflection and repair harm.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Using our Implementation Guide, we partner with each school/district to develop the critical components of a successful Restorative Justice Center (Student Advocates, adult Coordinators, a supportive Implementation Team, and an appropriate space to house the Restorative Justice Center). Once ready, educational partners go through the following process:
Implementation Team Training (in-person/virtual | two 3-hour sessions)
The Implementation Team, composed of stakeholders from all areas of the school community, delves into the “why, what, and how” of the Restorative Justice Center. This training helps create an inclusive discipline flow chart that highlights the services and supports of the Restorative Justice Center.
Student Advocate Training (in-person | 1 day/annually)
Student Advocates are chosen to reflect the demographics of the school community and receive full restorative practices training.
Staff Training (in-person/virtual | 3 hours)
The entire staff participates in a training designed to bring awareness to the interventions and intricacies of the Restorative Justice Center and how to access support.
Leadership & Implementation Teams Coaching (in-person/virtual | three (3) 2-hour sessions)
Teams learn and design consistent system and structural implementation (e.g., collect and analyze data, conduct research, address climate and culture issues, etc.).
Restorative Justice Center Coaching (in-person/virtual | 20 hours total)
Focused on improvement and systems, these sessions are designed to help Coordinators and Advocates support the continuous growth of the Restorative Justice Center.
Strengthening Restorative Communities (Virtual | quarterly for 60-90 minutes)
This free and voluntary meeting provides a quarterly forum for participants of our Restorative Practices Experience Training and Restorative Justice Center Training to continue their professional growth in a collaborative setting. Led by two of our restorative practices experts, these sessions offer participants the opportunity to engage in dialogue, exchange strategies, and deepen their understanding of restorative approaches alongside educators from other schools, districts, and states. By fostering cross-district collaboration and shared learning, the initiative strengthens a broader network of practitioners committed to advancing restorative and equitable practices in education.
Note that this is an ongoing, long-term offering, and all past and present partners are welcome to join these sessions. The sessions are free.
KEY BENEFITS
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Strengthens relationships and builds a community of belonging while improving safety on campus
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Provides proactive and inclusive ways to effectively address behavior and other complex school issues
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Builds student leadership and voice to offer a supportive environment that improves learning
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Offers alternatives to suspension and expulsion that focus on repairing harm and creating inclusion
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Includes a comprehensive Implementation Guide
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Access to optional curriculum focused on topics relevant to student learning and community building
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Access to quarterly Professional Learning Communities with other districts and states
