During the 2000-2001 school year, the Junior Senior High School began offering mediation as a way to resolve conflicts. Mediation is intended to be a constructive way to resolve conflict and to meet the needs of each of the conflicting parties, to some degree. It is an opportunity for students to take charge of the resolution process – students decide the solution(s) to the problem. If the conflict involves administrative referrals or possible disciplinary measures and students cannot arrive at acceptable solutions, then decisions revert to the adults in charge.

Mediation is an entirely voluntary process. Both/all parties must agree to participate or mediation cannot take place. Mediation may be used as an alternative to a disciplinary measure, but mediation should not be seen from a disciplinary standpoint alone. Students are encouraged to "self refer" without any kind of possible discipline involved, to address a wide variety of issues, large and small. In other words, students themselves initiate the process to deal more constructively with personally difficult situations. It takes effort and courage to use mediation to create a more positive school environment and to resolve personal conflict constructively.

What happens in mediation? Each person has the opportunity to explain his/her side of the dispute without interruption. Then both parties discuss all areas of the disagreement and examine them for possible solutions. With the help of the mediators, the parties decide which solution(s) would best meet their needs. After both parties agree to the solution(s), the mediators will help them write an agreement which is signed and dated. Each person receives a copy of the agreement.

All mediations are co-facilitated by an adult and a student each trained in the mediation process. These facilitators are neutral parties who are bound to confidentiality—they cannot reveal any information about the mediation. If the mediation is an alternative to a disciplinary measure, then some information about the solution(s) may have to be given to the referring source (teacher, principal, etc.). That is made clear at the beginning of the mediation.

Mediation is available to all. Because conflict involves everyone, the mediations may take place between students, or between student(s) and adult(s), when both parties agree to undergo the process.

Mediation referral forms may be found on the mediation poster in any classroom, in the Guidance Office, or in the Main Office.