Safe School Centers

• Leadership: Safe schools have strong leaders-principals, school board members, teachers, parents and others.
  
  
• High academic standards: It is difficult for students and teachers to concentrate on school work when they are worried about safety. Some youths skip school because they are afraid of being bullied or assaulted. Research shows that safe schools have higher test scores and other positive academic outcomes than unsafe schools.
  
  
• Service for all kids: Safe schools don't let kids fall through the cracks.
  
  
• Safety plan: Safe schools balance prevention, intervention and security. Safe schools evaluate plans regularly, use research on effective programs and include suggestions from the community.
  
  
• Comprehensive strategies: Safe schools recognize that children today often don't have a single problem, but many. Safe schools don't just add more programs. They create links between resource staff.
  
  
• Community: Safe schools develop partnerships in the community, establishing good relationships with law enforcement, clergy, mental health services, youth services and others.
  
  
• Teacher training and resources: Safe schools provide teachers with the resources and training to address students' problems, including poor social skills, alcohol and drug use, availability of guns, and lack of family support.

Below is a list of Safe School Centers in 21 states. Web links open in a new window.