At the Boerum Hill School for International Studies (BHS), Restorative Justice is a core part of how we build community, repair harm, and foster a school culture rooted in equity, accountability, and care. Aligned with the NYC Public Schools’ guiding principles of inclusion, culturally responsive education, and social-emotional development, our restorative approach centers on relationships, reflection, and the power of student voice.
Restorative Justice at BHS is not just a discipline strategy, it’s a mindset. It informs how we teach, lead, and engage with one another. We believe that all members of our community deserve to feel safe, heard, and respected, and that conflict and harm are opportunities for learning, healing, and growth.
Our Restorative Practices Include:
Restorative Circles: Proactive and responsive circles are used to build trust, resolve conflicts, and support students in reflecting on their actions and impact. Circles are facilitated by trained staff, peer leaders, and deans.
Re-entry Conversations: When students return from time away due to a conflict or disciplinary action, we hold structured conversations to repair relationships, re-establish expectations, and ensure strong support moving forward.
Peer Mediation & Student Voice: Students are invited to lead and participate in restorative practices, including peer-led conversations, helping to foster leadership and agency.
Community Building: We use advisory, CREW periods, and school-wide traditions to strengthen belonging and trust, ensuring every student is known and valued.
Collaborative Problem-Solving: We work with families, teachers, counselors, and social workers to address the root causes of behavior and co-create solutions that restore trust and uphold accountability.
At BHS, our approach to discipline is grounded in the belief that students grow through relationships and reflection, not punishment. We work to interrupt cycles of exclusion and prioritize inclusive, identity-affirming responses to conflict and harm. Our goal is to equip students with the tools to understand themselves, repair harm, and contribute positively to their communities, inside and outside of school.
Restorative Justice is an essential part of how we live out our core value: Every child is our child.
