Chester Arthur School

Chester A. Arthur School, a public kindergarten and primary school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , USA, has tackled conflicts, fostered inclusion and nearly eliminated suspensions among its racially and economically diverse community, where 63% of students identify as ethnic minorities, by implementing a "restorative approach". While nearly 8% of students faced out-of-school suspensions in the 2017-18 academic year, today this number is nearly zero.

Led by Principal Dr. Mary Libby’s expertise in restorative practices and in line with the district's shift towards responsive classrooms and trauma-informed practices, the school’s approach creates a positive and inclusive school environment where students feel heard, respected, and supported in resolving conflicts in a restorative manner.

Dr. Libby and the school counselor underwent foundational training in restorative interventions that they then provided to the rest of their colleagues. Today, the counselor and climate staff provide skill-building lessons and conflicts are resolved in a dedicated restorative room. The whole school participates in daily meetings focused on social and emotional skills, while collaborations with community partners enhance expertise in mindfulness, coping skills, teen mental health, and healthy relationships.

The school also prioritises professional development on trauma-informed practices and supportive environments. For example, instead of blaming, caring adults ask questions like "What happened? Who was impacted? What needs to be done to repair the harm?" This approach fosters understanding, repair, and growth.

On the back of a student-led campaign, the school recently saw this thinking applied to its own name. Recognising the need to better demonstrate inclusivity and preserve the local area heritage, students took the lead in advocating for a name change that aligns with the school's values. This initiative was a prime example of the restorative approach being used beyond interpersonal interactions towards a greater purpose, as it fostered open communication, active listening, and collective decision-making among students, staff, and the wider community.

If Chester A. Arthur School wins the World's Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives, it intends to be a model for other Philadelphia schools and beyond by further enhancing its restorative approach with the Bridging Mental Health and Education in Urban Schools (BRIDGE) programme, an evidence based initiative designed to prevent and address challenging classroom behaviours and conflict in city schools.