Restorative Justice in High Schools: Moving Away from Suspensions

Schools across the country are rethinking how they handle student discipline. For decades, administrators relied on strict zero-tolerance policies that pushed students out of the classroom. Now, many high schools are replacing out-of-school suspensions with restorative justice practices like peer mediation. This shift aims to keep students learning while addressing the root causes of conflict.

The Flaws of Zero-Tolerance Policies

Zero-tolerance policies gained massive popularity in the 1990s following the passage of the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994. The law originally mandated a one-year expulsion for bringing a weapon to school. However, school districts quickly expanded these mandatory punishments to cover minor infractions. Soon, students were being suspended for talking back to teachers, dress code violations, or skipping class.

The result was a massive spike in disciplinary actions. According to the U.S. Department of Education, millions of students faced out-of-school suspensions each year during the peak of zero-tolerance enforcement.

Research from the American Psychological Association shows that suspensions do not improve student behavior. Instead, removing kids from school drastically increases their chances of dropping out and entering the juvenile justice system. This pathway is widely known as the school-to-prison pipeline.

What Restorative Justice Looks Like in Practice

Restorative justice flips the traditional discipline model upside down. Instead of asking what rule was broken and how the student should be punished, school staff ask who was harmed and how the offender can make things right.

In high schools, this often takes the form of peer mediation and peace circles. When two students get into an argument, they do not just sit in the principal’s office and wait for a suspension slip. They sit down with a trained peer mediator or a restorative justice coordinator to talk through the conflict.

Students must take full accountability for their actions in these meetings. They listen to how their behavior affected their classmates and teachers. Then, they work together to agree on a solution. Typical resolutions include:

• Writing an apology letter to the harmed party.
• Completing targeted community service around the school building.
• Signing a behavioral contract.
• Returning stolen or damaged property.

Evaluating the Success Rates of Peer Mediation

When evaluating the success rates of peer mediation and restorative programs, the data points to significant improvements in school culture and student retention. Specific school districts that committed to this transition show clear positive results.

Oakland Unified School District in California is a pioneer in this space. After rolling out restorative justice programs across its middle and high schools, Oakland saw a 40 percent drop in out-of-school suspensions over a three-year period. Furthermore, the district reported that 88 percent of teachers found restorative practices highly effective in managing classroom behavior.

Denver Public Schools also shifted away from zero-tolerance in favor of restorative approaches. A multi-year study of the district revealed a 44 percent reduction in overall suspensions. Even more impressively, Denver saw a notable decrease in the racial discipline gap. Historically, Black and Hispanic students in Denver were suspended at much higher rates than white students. Peer mediation helped shrink that gap significantly.

In Chicago, the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research tracked the implementation of restorative practices across the city. High schools using peer jury programs reported that over 80 percent of cases referred to student mediators were resolved successfully without the need for traditional disciplinary action.

Why Peer Mediation Works Better Than Suspensions

Peer mediation succeeds where suspensions fail because it actively teaches conflict resolution. When a student is sent home for three days, they often return to school with the exact same anger or frustration that caused the fight in the first place. Nothing is resolved by sitting at home.

By talking through the problem, students learn communication skills they can use for the rest of their lives. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that peer mediation programs in schools boast a final agreement rate between 70 and 90 percent. This means the vast majority of conflicts handled by student mediators end in a mutual agreement that stops future altercations.

Additionally, keeping students in the building means they do not miss crucial instructional time. This directly protects their academic performance, keeps their grades stable, and keeps them on track to earn their high school diploma.

The Challenges of Making the Switch

While the success rates are promising, replacing zero-tolerance rules is not a simple task. High schools cannot simply announce a new policy and expect instant results.

Properly running a restorative justice program requires dedicated funding and staff. Schools usually need to hire full-time restorative justice coordinators. Teachers need ongoing training to lead classroom circles. Organizations like the International Institute for Restorative Practices charge around $200 to $300 per teacher for basic training courses.

It also takes time to change a school culture. In the first year of transitioning away from suspensions, some schools experience a temporary spike in classroom disruptions as students test the new boundaries. Critics argue that without proper funding and staff buy-in, restorative justice can sometimes look like schools are just ignoring bad behavior. To work properly, strict accountability and follow-through must remain a central focus for school principals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is peer mediation? Peer mediation is a conflict resolution process where trained student leaders help their classmates talk through disputes. The mediator remains neutral and guides the conversation so the students can find a solution together, avoiding strict administrative punishments.

Does restorative justice mean students never get suspended? No. Most high schools still use out-of-school suspensions or expulsions for severe safety threats. This includes bringing weapons to school, selling illegal drugs, or committing serious physical violence. Restorative justice is primarily used to replace suspensions for non-violent offenses, disrespect, and minor physical altercations.

How much does it cost to start a restorative justice program? Costs vary widely depending on the size of the school and the district. Hiring a full-time restorative justice coordinator can cost a school between $60,000 and $90,000 per year in salary and benefits. Schools must also budget for initial staff training, which can cost several thousand dollars per building depending on the training provider chosen.