Restorative Schools Initiative
Build lasting capacity to support restorative practices and conflict resolution education in your school community with a District or Network-wide Partnership or Train-the-Trainer program from the Western Justice Center.
Embedded Partnership Model
Train-the-Trainer Model
Advancing Restorative Practices: Partnership Opportunities for Districts
Western Justice Center partners with schools,districts and charter networks to deliver measurable improvements in conflict resolution, school climate, and student engagement. Our Restorative Schools Initiative is a sustainable model that integrates seamlessly with your systems, driving data-informed change aligned with district and state priorities.
Our expert team embeds within school environments to integrate conflict resolution, restorative practices, and peer mediation into daily routines—cultivating conflict-resilient school communities. We collaborate with school and student leaders to co-develop benchmarks and ensure practices are sustained over multiple years. Teachers and students access targeted training—including ABCs of Conflict, Mediation Bootcamp, and Peer Mediation Invitational—supported by ongoing coaching tailored to district needs.
Proven Impact
When students are equipped with the skills to resolve conflict peacefully, to listen with empathy, and to lead their communities, they don’t just feel safer at school. They learn more. They show up more. They become more. In a district of 6,348 students—where 87% face socioeconomic disadvantage—WJC’s framework improved academic achievement, reduced absenteeism, and resolved 9 in 10 peer conflicts without escalation. The approach aligns with LCAP requirements, AB 2598, and California’s Community Schools Partnership Program standards.Â
- 9% rise in high school A–C grade rates (71.5% → 79.5%). YouthTruth/District Data, 2024–25 Â
- 5.6% rise in middle school A–C grade rates (72.5% → 78.1%). District Data, 2024–25Â
- 10.8% English Learner growth for school implementing circles. CA Dashboard, 2023–24Â
- 12% average gain in Level 2 attendance ratings; 7th grade alone improved 17%. District Attendance Data, 2025Â
- 6.2% drop in chronic absenteeism. CA State Dashboard, 2023Â Â
- 90% of middle school peer mediations resolved without escalation. District Mediation Records, 2023–24 Â
- 98.8% of educators who completed WJC training would recommend it to a colleague. Mockingbird Analytics, 2024Â
Embedded Partnership Model: Lasting Support, Lasting Impact
Our Embedded Partnership delivers ongoing training and coaching to all or most district or charter network schools, including community schools. A dedicated WJC team provides customized support across leadership levels and grade spans, ensuring measurable impact and sustainability. Partnerships typically last 3–5 years, with investment scaled to district needs.
- Intensive, multi-year engagement with a dedicated WJC implementation team embedded in your district
- Direct collaboration with district/organizational leadership and school boards to ensure buy-in, alignment, and system-wide adoption
- Comprehensive, districtwide/organization wide customization of training, coaching, and support to meet unique community needs
- Active participation in advisory councils,committees, board presentations, and strategic planning initiatives
- Co-developed sustainability planning, and hands-on implementation support to drive measurable, lasting results, ongoing evaluation
- Strategic focus on addressing absenteeism, student enrollment loss, discipline and behavioral challenges, and reducing litigation risk
- All school access to Restorative Circle workshops, ABCs of Conflict and Mediation Bootcamp trainings, and leadership development for staff and students through Peer Mediation Invitational
- Licensing of WJC training materials and resources for internal capacity-building and long-term sustainability
- Collaborative evaluation and assessment processes co-designed with district leaders to track impact and continuously improve implementation
- Targeted support for all stakeholders—including parents, counselors, and community school specialistsÂ
Our Partners
Train-the-Trainer Model: Empowering Leaders
The Train-the-Trainer program equips site leadership and implementation teams to launch and sustain peer mediation programs at individual schools or school clusters. WJC provides foundational knowledge, targeted training, and practical coaching to ensure long-term program success.
- Comprehensive ABCs of Conflict training
- Leadership and conflict resolution skills through Peer Mediation Invitational
- Mediation Bootcamp training for site teams
- Customized sustainability and implementation plans
- Limited licensing of WJC training materials
- Targeted coaching and leadership development
Train-the-Trainer partnerships are available as annual or multi-year commitments, scaled to your district’s or charter network’s needs.
Ready to build a more restorative, resilient school community?
Schedule a Partnership Meeting Discussion by contacting program@westernjustice.org.Â
55 South Grand Avenue,
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 584-7494
  
  
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