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Restorative Practices

Eagle County School District is committed to creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive schools where every student is KNOWN, SUPPORTED, CHALLENGED, and INSPIRED.
 
In the 2026–27 school year, our restorative approach to student discipline places a greater emphasis on developing strong relationships, building skills and proactively teaching restorative practices. Our goal is to prevent unwanted behaviors by providing social emotional support, building connections and responding to behaviors through a restorative lens. 
 

What Are Restorative Practices?

Restorative practices are a relationship-centered approach to preventing and responding to behavior, grounded in four key principles:
  • Relationships | Building strong, respectful connections among students, staff, families, and the school community.
  • Accountability | Helping students understand how their choices and actions affect others and take meaningful responsibility for their behavior.
  • Repairing Harm | When harm occurs, providing opportunities to make things right.
  • Reconnection | Helping students learn from their mistakes and reconnect to their school community by rebuilding trust and relationships whenever possible.
 

Does Restorative Discipline Mean There Are No Consequences?

No, Restorative Practices do not eliminate consequences. Students are required to follow school and district policy, and high expectations will be maintained for student behavior. Administrative consequences such as detention, removal from class, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or expulsion may still be appropriate.
 
Our goal is to move beyond simply asking,“What rule was broken, and what is the punishment?” to asking, “Who was affected, and how can we help the student take responsibility, repair harm, and make better choices moving forward?”
 
We want students to consider:
  • What happened?
  • Who was affected?
  • What is my responsibility/ownership?
  • What needs to happen to make things right?
 

What Might Restorative Practices Look Like at School?

  • Community-building circles
  • Reflection and skill-building activities
  • Conflict resolution
  • Restorative circles, conversations or conferences
  • Opportunities to repair harm and rebuild relationships
  • Restorative Calming rooms
  • Reflection Rooms for discipline infractions in secondary schools
  • Re-entry meetings following a suspension or removal from class
 

Our Commitment to Students and Families 

Eagle County School District is committed to discipline practices that are safe, fair, consistent, developmentally appropriate, and focused on student growth. 
 
When behavior is connected to challenges or needs that require additional support, schools utilize social-emotional skill building, self-regulation and problem solving strategies, behavior interventions and counseling and mental health support to complement restorative practices.
 
Together, schools and families hold students accountable while creating opportunities to learn from their experiences, grow as individuals, repair relationships, and develop the skills to thrive in schools, our community, and in life.