At the Mill School, our discipline system is based on ownership and restoration. We help students build the skills they need to acknowledge that they caused harm, and assist them in making and carrying out plans to mend as much of the harm – physical and social – as they can. 

What does this look like? 

It looks different for each student and each incident. However, some commonalities are that if something is broken that can be repaired, the student will work to fix it, whether it is a door, a glass, a dish, or a wall. If it can’t be repaired, the student will complete community service hours to compensate for the cost. 

Students also acknowledge and take responsibility for the harm that they caused to the community. If a student isn’t ready to acknowledge the harm, we are patient. We work with them on social skills, perspective-taking, and conflict resolution. Sometimes we create educational materials individualized to the student and/or the incident. Sometimes we need to have multiple difficult conversations. 

We believe that taking responsibility for the harm your actions cause – including the obligation to try to make it right – is more than just about discipline – it’s an important and meaningful life skill. Our process also reinforces the student’s social ties to us and our school community. They see that we care about harm done to our community, and that they are part of this community. They know that if someone harms them, we’re going to make sure that harm is repaired. It also shows them that they are still part of this community, even when they make mistakes, even when they cause damage.